The 2020 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 120th season. This was the team's third and final year under manager Ron Gardenhire, and their 21st at Comerica Park.[1][2] The start of season was delayed by four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers finished the season with a 23–35 record, ranking last in their division and third-worst in the major leagues, and missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. For the second straight season, the Tigers pitching staff compiled the MLB's worst team ERA (6.37).[3]
The Tigers franchise experienced a major loss on April 6 when Hall of Famer Al Kaline died at the age of 85. Nicknamed "Mr. Tiger," Kaline had been affiliated with the team for 67 years in various roles: first as a player, then as a broadcaster, and most recently, as an executive.[4] The Tigers wore a No. 6 patch this season to honor him.[5]
On September 19, manager Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement from baseball effective immediately, due to recent health concerns including stress, a bout with prostate cancer, and a stomach virus due to food poisoning. Bench coach Lloyd McClendon was named interim manager for the remainder of the season.[6]
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled.[7] Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks.[8]
On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps at their regular season home stadiums on July 1 in order to resume spring training, which included only inter-squad games, and prepare for a July 23 or 24 Opening Day.[9] In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, teams only played their own division and the opposite league's corresponding geographical division, e.g. the Tigers only played American League Central (40 games total) and National League Central (20 games total) opponents.[10] Games were played behind closed doors, with artificial crowd noise played over loud speakers.[11]
On June 24, two members of the Tigers organization (later identified as pitcher Daniel Norris and a coach) tested positive for COVID-19.[12][13] Norris was later cleared to join the Opening Day roster.[12]
The Tigers' August 3–6 series against the St. Louis Cardinals was postponed several times after 17 of the latter's members tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the games were eventually canceled outright.[14]
On November 4, the Tigers granted outfielder Mikie Mahtook free agency. On December 18, he signed a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[20]
On August 6, the Tigers shortstop Jordy Mercer was designated for assignment, he then elected free agency.[33] On August 17 he signed a minor-league contract with the New York Yankees.[34]
Signings
On December 8, the Tigers signed outfielder Jorge Bonifacio to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.[35]
On December 13, the Tigers signed catcher Austin Romine to a one-year, $4.15 million contract.[37]
On December 18, the Tigers signed pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang to a minor-league contract.[38]
On December 20, the Tigers signed pitcher Zack Godley to a minor-league contract.[39]
On December 21, the Tigers signed first baseman C. J. Cron and second baseman Jonathan Schoop to one-year, $6.1 million contracts.[40]
On January 4, the Tigers signed pitcher Alex Wilson to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.[41]
On January 6, the Tigers signed pitcher Michael Fulmer to a one-year, $2.8 million contract, avoiding arbitration.[42]
On January 10, the Tigers avoided arbitration when they reached one-year deals with pitchers Matthew Boyd ($5.3 million), Buck Farmer ($1.15 million) and Daniel Norris ($2.962 million), and outfielder JaCoby Jones ($1.575 million).[43]
On January 13, the Tigers signed pitcher Iván Nova to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.[44]
On January 22, the Tigers signed pitcher Hector Santiago to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.[45]
On January 30, the Tigers signed shortstop Jordy Mercer to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training.[46]
On February 12, the Tigers signed outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year, $1.5 million contract which could increase to $2.8 million with bonuses.[47]
On November 25, the Tigers acquired pitcher Darío Agrazal from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.[49] He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on January 8.[50]
On August 2 against the Cincinnati Reds, Tyler Alexander set an MLB record for a reliever by striking out nine consecutive batters. He also tied the Tigers' and American League record of nine consecutive strikeouts set by Doug Fister on September 27, 2012. He became the first pitcher with 10 or more strikeouts in a relief outing since Randy Johnson set the strikeout record for a relief pitcher with 16 on July 18, 2001.[54][55]
On August 30 against the Minnesota Twins, Miguel Cabrera recorded his 2,000th hit as a Tiger, becoming the eighth Tiger player to reach the milestone.[59]
On September 6 against the Minnesota Twins, Sergio Alcántara hit a home run in his first at-bat, becoming the eighth Tiger player to accomplish this feat, and the first position player to do since Reggie Sanders in 1974.[60]
Team accomplishments
Hitting
On August 8 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tigers hit four home runs in the first inning for the first time since 1974, and the first time the Tigers hit four home runs in any inning since 2013. This was the first time an MLB team accomplished this since the Kansas City Royals in 2018. The Tigers hit three consecutive home runs in an inning for the first time since 2017.[61]
Other
On August 21, the Tigers ended a franchise-record 20-game losing streak against the Cleveland Indians, winning 10–5. Only one MLB team has had a longer losing streak against another team, that being the Kansas City Royals who lost 23 straight to the Baltimore Orioles between May 10, 1969, and August 2, 1970.[62]
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
