As of January 2022, the Detroit Tigers Retired Jersey Numbers include 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 16, 23, 42, 47. Read about the players who wore these numbers in this article.
Charlie Gehringer No.2 (Retired June 12, 1983)
Charlie Gehringer, from Michigan, was not only the finest defensive second baseman of his day, but he also hit for power and average. Ty Cobb, Gehringer’s first three-year manager, termed him “the finest second baseman (he) ever saw.”
Trammell, Alan No.3 (Retired August 26, 2018)
He completed his whole 20-year MLB career with the Tigers, having been drafted in the second round in 1976. He earned four Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and was the 1984 World Series MVP. A Hall of Famer in 2018, Trammell managed the Tigers from 2003-2005.
Greenberg, Hank No.5 (Retired June 12, 1983)
“Hammerin’ Hank” Greenberg made the best of a career interrupted by four years of WWII military duty and another season lost to injury to win two MVP honors and two World Series victories.
Kaline, Al No. 6 (Retired August 17, 1980)
Al Kaline was the Tigers’ most iconic player for half a century, and he was the 10th player ever elected in his first year of eligibility in 1980. Kaline and Ty Cobb were the only Tigers to play 20+ seasons at the time of their retirement.
Sparky Anderson No.11 (Retired June 26, 2011)
Sparky Anderson managed the Tigers for 17 years. During his 17 years as manager, the Tigers made two playoff appearances and won the World Series in 1984. Anderson was the AL Manager of the Year in 1984 and 1987 and managed the AL in the 1985 All-Star Game. He led the Tigers to a franchise record of 1,331 wins. Anderson managed the Cincinnati Reds for nine seasons and earned three World Series championships in his 26-year tenure. In his first year of eligibility, he was inducted in 2000.
Hal Newhouser No.16 (Retired July 27, 1997)
Hal Newhouser, born and bred in Detroit, was one of the most powerful pitchers of the 1940s.
Willie Horton No. 23 (Retired July 15, 2000)
In January 2002, he returned to the organization as a special assistant to the president. After an impressive baseball career at Detroit’s Northwestern High School, the 18-year veteran signed with the Tigers in 1961.
Jack Morris No.47 (Retired August 12, 2018)
The Tigers drafted Jack Morris, a fiery righthander, in the same 1976 draft as Hall of Famer Alan Trammell. Morris won 198 games, threw 154 complete games, and was selected to the American League All-Star team four times. He was the Tigers’ ace in the 1984 World Series, pitching two full games against the San Diego Padres.
Jackie Robinson No.42 (Retired throughout baseball in 1997)
Jackie Robinson made history in 1947 by becoming the first African-American player to play in the Major Leagues. From 1947 through 1956, he was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
