This is day 2 of our theme week on MLB Team Name Origins. Today we’re talking about the Detroit Tigers. You might think they were named after the animal, but the team was actually named for the Detroit Light Guard military unit, who were known as “The Tigers” for their fierce fighting style. The unit played significant roles in several Civil War battles and in the 1898 Spanish-American War. When the ball club entered the major leagues, they sought and received formal permission from the Light Guard to use its trademark, and they’ve been known as the Tigers ever since.
The Tigers were a charter member of the American League in 1901. They are the oldest continuous one name, one city franchise in the league. They’ve won 4 World Series championships (1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984), 11 AL pennants, and 4 AL Central division championships. Learn more about the Detroit Tigers in the audio below!