TIGERS RETIRED NUMBERS2Charlie GehringerNo. 2 retired June 12, 1983Known for his quiet efficiency, Michigan native Charlie Gehringer was
not only the best fielding second baseman of his time, but he also hit
for power and average. Ty Cobb, who managed the Tigers during
Gehringer’s first three seasons, called him, aside from Eddie Collins,
"the greatest second baseman (he) ever saw."
5Hank GreenbergNo. 5 retired June 12, 1983A fearsome run producer and home run hitter, “Hammerin’ Hank” Greenberg
made the most of a career interrupted by four years of military service
during World War II and another season lost to injury to capture two
MVP awards and a pair of World Series titles.
6Al KalineNo. 6 retired August 17, 1980If any player defined the Tigers during the last half-century it was Al
Kaline, and in 1980, he became just the 10th player ever elected to the
Hall in his first year of eligibility. At the time of his retirement,
Kaline and Ty Cobb were the only Tigers ever to play 20 or more seasons
in a Detroit uniform.
16Hal NewhouserNo. 16 retired July 27, 1997The only pitcher in major league history to win back-to-back league MVP
awards, Hal Newhouser, Detroit born-and-raised, was one of the most
dominant pitchers of the 1940s.
23Willie HortonNo. 23 retired July 15, 2000The "hometown hero" and former Tigers great was named special assistant
to the president on the Tigers in January of 2002. The 18-year veteran
played 14 seasons with the Tigers after signing with the team at age 18
in 1961 following an outstanding baseball career at Detroit's
Northwestern High School.
42Jackie RobinsonNo. 42 retired throughout baseball in 1997In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American man to play
in the Major Leagues. Played for Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947-56.