1996 Detroit Tigers season explained

The 1996 Detroit Tigers had a record of 53–109 for what was, at the time, the most losses (109) and worst winning percentage (.327) in team history—both of which have since been surpassed twice by the 2003 and 2019 teams.

With a number of capable batters (Cecil Fielder, Tony Clark, Bobby Higginson, Alan Trammell, Rubén Sierra, and Damion Easley), the team scored a respectable 783 runs. However, the 1996 Tigers lacked pitching, allowing their opponents to score 1,103 runs and posting a team ERA of 6.38. The team's pitchers recorded 6,713 batters faced, more than any other team in MLB history.^[1] No team in American League history and only one in major league history (the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies) has given up more runs. No pitcher on the team had more than 7 wins. Of the 109 games the Tigers lost, 58 were by four or more runs, a record for the number of games lost by such a margin.^[2] The Tigers made more unwanted history when they were swept 12–0 by the Cleveland Indians in the regular season series, losing all twelve games played while being outscored, 79–28. The 1996 Tigers did not have a winning record against any AL opponent.

Regular season

Opening Day roster

• Chad Curtis CF
• Bobby Higginson RF
• Travis Fryman 3B
• Cecil Fielder 1B
• Melvin Nieves LF
• Eddie Williams DH
• Mark Lewis 2B
• John Flaherty C
• Alan Trammell SS
• Felipe Lira SP

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 1 || April 1 || @ Twins || 6–8 || Radke || Lira (0–1) || Stevens || 30,185 || 0–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || April 2 || @ Twins || 10–6 || Sodowsky (1–0) || Robertson || — || 20,164 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 3 || April 3 || @ Twins || 7–16 || Mahomes || Aldred (0–1) || — || 12,256 || 1–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 4 || April 4 || @ Athletics || 10–9 (15) || Keagle (1–0) || Small || — || 8,346 || 2–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 5 || April 5 || @ Athletics || 2–13 || Johns || Gohr (0–1) || — || 11,149 || 2–3|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 6 || April 6 || @ Athletics || 6–1 || Lira (1–1) || Reyes || — || 10,424 || 3–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 7 || April 7 || @ Athletics || 6–7 || Corsi || Williams (0–1) || — || 9,723 || 3–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 8 || April 9 || Mariners || 10–9 || Keagle (2–0) || Menhart || Williams (1) || 42,932 || 4–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 9 || April 10 || Mariners || 7–3 || Olivares (1–0) || Hurtado || — || 9,299 || 5–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 11 || Mariners || 1–9 || Johnson || Gohr (0–2) || — || 12,272 || 5–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 12 || Angels || 4–5 || Finley || Lira (1–2) || Percival || 9,921 || 5–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 12 || April 13 || Angels || 9–5 || Keagle (3–0) || Sanderson || — || 11,719 || 6–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 13 || April 14 || Angels || 5–4 || Lewis (1–0) || James || — || 12,009 || 7–6|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 15 || @ Blue Jays || 2–8 || Guzman || Olivares (1–1) || — || 26,127 || 7–7|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 15 || April 16 || @ Blue Jays || 13–8 || Gohr (1–2) || Hanson || Lewis (1) || 25,503 || 8–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 16 || April 17 || @ Mariners || 3–8 || Jackson || Veres (0–1) || — || 18,008 || 8–8|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 17 || April 18 || @ Mariners || 3–11 || Bosio || Sodowsky (1–1) || Hurtado || 17,536 || 8–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || April 19 || @ Angels || 3–4 || Langston || Myers (0–1) || — || 32,693 || 8–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 19 || April 20 || @ Angels || 1–2 || Grimsley || Keagle (3–1) || Percival || 25,685 || 8–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 20 || April 21 || @ Angels || 5–6 || Eichhorn || Lewis (1–1) || Percival || 36,733 || 8–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 21 || April 22 || @ Angels || 5–6 || James || Christopher (0–1) || Percival || 17,039 || 8–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 22 || April 24 || Twins || 11–24 || Bennett || Veres (0–2) || — || 12,189 || 8–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 23 || April 25 || Twins || 1–11 || Hawkins || Aldred (0–2) || Hansell || 11,804 || 8–15|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 24 || April 26 || Athletics || 14–5 || Christopher (1–1) || Johns || — || 7,941 || 9–15|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || April 27 || Athletics || 1–4 || Reyes || Lira (1–3) || Taylor || 13,067 || 9–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 26 || April 28 || Athletics || 3–6 || Wojciechowski || Gohr (1–3) || Taylor || 8,907 || 9–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 27 || April 30 || @ Red Sox || 4–13 || Wakefield || Lima (0–1) || — || 18,504 || 9–18|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 1 || @ Red Sox || 1–5 || Clemens || Aldred (0–3) || — || 20,828 || 9–19|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 29 || May 2 || Rangers || 5–2 || Lira (2–3) || Witt || Williams (2) || 7,416 || 10–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 30 || May 3 || Rangers || 0–11 || Hill || Keagle (3–2) || — || 9,079 || 10–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 31 || May 4 || Rangers || 1–3 || Pavlik || Gohr (1–4) || — || 10,734 || 10–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 32 || May 5 || Rangers || 2–3 || Gross || Lima (0–2) || Henneman || 12,337 || 10–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 6 || @ Yankees || 5–10 || Wickman || Myers (0–2) || — || 12,838 || 10–23|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 7 || @ Yankees || 5–12 || Mecir || Lewis (1–2) || Nelson || 12,760 || 10–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 8 || @ Yankees || 3–10 || Gooden || Keagle (3–3) || — || 18,729 || 10–25|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 36 || May 9 || @ Yankees || 4–2 || Gohr (2–4) || Key || Myers (1) || 13,098 || 11–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 37 || May 10 || @ Rangers || 2–6 || Pavlik || Lima (0–3) || Henneman || 31,426 || 11–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 38 || May 11 || @ Rangers || 7–11 || Gross || Aldred (0–4) || — || 42,732 || 11–27|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 39 || May 12 || @ Rangers || 5–3 || Lira (3–3) || Oliver || Myers (2) || 35,677 || 12–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || May 14 || @ Indians || 1–5 || Nagy || Gohr (2–5) || — || 40,765 || 12–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 15 || @ Indians || 2–5 || Martinez || Lima (0–4) || Mesa || 42,259 || 12–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 42 || May 16 || @ Indians || 3–8 || McDowell || Williams (0–2) || — || 42,330 || 12–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 43 || May 17 || White Sox || 6–11 (10) || Hernandez || Lewis (1–3) || — || 12,094 || 12–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 44 || May 18 || White Sox || 4–16 || McCaskill || Farrell (0–1) || Simas || 21,673 || 12–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 45 || May 19 || White Sox || 3–14 || Alvarez || Gohr (2–6) || — || 9,709 || 12–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 46 || May 21 || Royals || 1–7 || Linton || Williams (0–3) || Valera || 24,372 || 12–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 47 || May 22 || Royals || 4–6 || Belcher || Farrell (0–2) || Montgomery || 12,890 || 12–35|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || May 24 || Indians || 3–6 || Plunk || Veres (0–3) || Mesa || 26,967 || 12–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || May 25 || Indians || 6–7 || Nagy || Lewis (1–4) || Mesa || 41,527 || 12–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || May 26 || Indians || 0–5 || Martinez || Williams (0–4) || — || 39,056 || 12–38|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 51 || May 27 || @ Royals || 4–5 (13) || Montgomery || Veres (0–4) || — || 19,776 || 12–39|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 52 || May 29 || @ Royals || 5–4 || Gohr (3–6) || Appier || Walker (1) || 13,712 || 13–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 53 || May 30 || @ White Sox || 2–8 || Alvarez || Olivares (1–2) || — || 17,339 || 13–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || May 31 || @ White Sox || 0–9 || Tapani || Lira (3–4) || — || 16,983 || 13–41|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 55 || June 2 || @ White Sox || 2–4 || Baldwin || Thompson (0–1) || Hernandez || — || 13–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 56 || June 2 || @ White Sox || 5–13 || McCaskill || Keagle (3–4) || — || 26,125 || 13–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 57 || June 4 || @ Orioles || 7–10 || Mussina || Gohr (3–7) || Myers || 43,727 || 13–44|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 58 || June 5 || @ Orioles || 4–6 || Rhodes || Myers (0–3) || Myers || 43,087 || 13–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 59 || June 6 || @ Orioles || 6–13 || Krivda || Lira (3–5) || — || 46,269 || 13–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || June 7 || Yankees || 6–5 || Lewis (2–4) || Nelson || — || 16,350 || 14–46|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 61 || June 8 || Yankees || 9–7 || Olson (1–0) || Rogers || Lewis (2) || 20,173 || 15–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 62 || June 9 || Yankees || 2–3 || Gooden || Gohr (3–8) || Wetteland || 16,588 || 15–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 63 || June 10 || Orioles || 8–3 || Olivares (2–2) || Wells || — || 10,655 || 16–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 11 || Orioles || 9–12 || Coppinger || Lira (3–6) || — || 10,874 || 16–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 65 || June 12 || Orioles || 7–10 || Rhodes || Lewis (2–5) || Myers || 12,043 || 16–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 66 || June 14 || @ Twins || 5–4 || Gohr (4–8) || Robertson || Olson (1) || 22,831 || 17–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 67 || June 15 || @ Twins || 6–4 || Olivares (3–2) || Rodriguez || Olson (2) || 17,099 || 18–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 68 || June 16 || @ Twins || 1–4 || Aguilera || Lira (3–7) || Hansell || 20,641 || 18–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || June 17 || Athletics || 4–8 (10) || Corsi || Myers (0–4) || — || 9,231 || 18–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 70 || June 18 || Athletics || 5–8 || Van Poppel || Urbani (0–1) || Taylor || 8,543 || 18–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 71 || June 19 || Athletics || 3–10 || Wasdin || Keagle (3–5) || — || 9,875 || 18–53|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || June 20 || Twins || 3–7 || Rodriguez || Olivares (3–3) || — || 8,310 || 18–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 73 || June 21 || Twins || 2–0 || Lira (4–7) || Aguilera || — || 13,127 || 19–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || June 22 || Twins || 6–0 || Williams (1–4) || Aldred || — || 14,506 || 20–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 75 || June 23 || Twins || 10–8 || Urbani (1–1) || Radke || — || 13,994 || 21–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || June 24 || @ Athletics || 2–4 || Wasdin || Sodowsky (1–2) || Taylor || 10,122 || 21–55|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 77 || June 25 || @ Athletics || 10–8 || Olivares (4–3) || Wengert || Olson (3) || 9,652 || 22–55|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 78 || June 27 || @ Red Sox || 9–6 || Lira (5–7) || Minchey || — || 29,582 || 23–55|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 79 || June 28 || @ Red Sox || 5–8 || Wakefield || Williams (1–5) || — || 27,578 || 23–56|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 80 || June 29 || @ Red Sox || 6–13 || Eshelman || Keagle (3–6) || — || 33,509 || 23–57|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || June 30 || @ Red Sox || 4–9 || Gordon || Sodowsky (1–3) || — || 31,217 || 23–58|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 82 || July 1 || Brewers || 0–2 || Sparks || Olivares (4–4) || Fetters || 10,727 || 23–59|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 83 || July 2 || Brewers || 1–2 (11) || Garcia || Sager (0–1) || Fetters || 9,455 || 23–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 84 || July 3 || Brewers || 8–5 || Williams (2–5) || D'Amico || — || 11,047 || 24–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 85 || July 4 || Blue Jays || 6–1 || Nitkowski (1–0) || Janzen || Myers (6) || 10,557 || 25–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 86 || July 5 || Blue Jays || 4–3 || Sager (1–1) || Hanson || Olson (4) || 20,808 || 26–60|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || July 6 || Blue Jays || 0–15 || Hentgen || Olivares (4–5) || — || 16,228 || 26–61|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 88 || July 7 || Blue Jays || 9–0 || Lira (6–7) || Ware || — || 15,784 || 27–61|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || July 11 || Red Sox || 4–11 || Clemens || Williams (2–6) || — || 15,826 || 27–62|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 90 || July 12 || Red Sox || 3–11 || Gordon || Olivares (4–6) || — || 19,535 || 27–63|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 13 || Red Sox || 5–10 || Sele || Nitkowski (1–1) || — || 16,671 || 27–64|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 14 || Red Sox || 4–6 || Moyer || Lira (6–8) || Slocumb || 19,670 || 27–65|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || July 15 || @ Brewers || 10–9 || Sager (2–1) || Bones || Olson (5) || 15,819 || 28–65|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || July 16 || @ Brewers || 7–20 || D'Amico || Williams (2–7) || — || 12,476 || 28–66|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 95 || July 17 || @ Brewers || 2–3 (10) || Fetters || Urbani (1–2) || — || 21,121 || 28–67|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 96 || July 18 || @ Blue Jays || 4–8 || Hentgen || Nitkowski (1–2) || — || 31,202 || 28–68|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 97 || July 19 || @ Blue Jays || 8–6 || Urbani (2–2) || Janzen || Olson (6) || 30,123 || 29–68|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 98 || July 20 || @ Blue Jays || 5–4 (10) || Olson (2–0) || Quantrill || Lima (1) || 36,220 || 30–68|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 99 || July 21 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 (12) || Spoljaric || Lima (0–5) || — || 33,238 || 30–69|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 100 || July 22 || @ Angels || 0–1 || Finley || Olivares (4–7) || Percival || 16,336 || 30–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 101 || July 23 || @ Angels || 8–3 || Lima (1–5) || James || — || 16,432 || 31–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 102 || July 25 || @ Mariners || 7–4 (10) || Lima (2–5) || Ayala || — || 19,949 || 32–70|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 103 || July 26 || @ Mariners || 4–6 || Hitchcock || Sager (2–2) || Jackson || 25,175 || 32–71|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 104 || July 27 || @ Mariners || 7–13 || Davis || Williams (2–8) || — || 43,209 || 32–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 105 || July 28 || @ Mariners || 14–6 || Olivares (5–7) || Bosio || — || 38,204 || 33–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 106 || July 30 || Angels || 12–9 || Nitkowski (2–2) || Grimsley || — || 11,641 || 34–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 107 || July 31 || Angels || 10–5 || Lima (3–5) || Holtz || — || 9,740 || 35–72|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 108 || August 1 || Angels || 13–5 || Williams (3–8) || Boskie || — || 14,591 || 36–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 109 || August 2 || Mariners || 8–2 || Olivares (6–7) || Wagner || — || 23,405 || 37–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 110 || August 3 || Mariners || 6–3 || Olson (3–0) || Charlton || — || 25,928 || 38–72|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 4 || Mariners || 3–9 || Wolcott || Nitkowski (2–3) || — || 23,569 || 38–73|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 112 || August 6 || Rangers || 2–4 || Hill || Lira (6–9) || Henneman || 10,931 || 38–74|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 113 || August 7 || Rangers || 4–2 || Cummings (1–0) || Pavlik || Myers (7) || 10,297 || 39–74|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 114 || August 8 || Rangers || 3–2 || Olivares (7–7) || Heredia || — || 10,995 || 40–74|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 115 || August 9 || @ Yankees || 5–3 || Cummings (2–0) || Pettitte || Myers (8) || 23,439 || 41–74|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 116 || August 10 || @ Yankees || 13–7 || Lewis (3–5) || Key || — || 28,863 || 42–74|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 117 || August 11 || @ Yankees || 0–12 || Rogers || Lira (6–10) || — || 33,517 || 42–75|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 118 || August 12 || @ Rangers || 0–7 || Hill || Williams (3–9) || — || 25,210 || 42–76|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 119 || August 13 || @ Rangers || 2–6 || Pavlik || Olivares (7–8) || — || 31,331 || 42–77|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 14 || @ Rangers || 4–5 || Witt || Van Poppel (0–1) || Henneman || 33,942 || 42–78|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 121 || August 16 || @ Indians || 1–3 (12) || Assenmacher || Lewis (3–6) || — || 42,485 || 42–79|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 122 || August 17 || @ Indians || 3–6 || Hershiser || Thompson (0–2) || Mesa || 42,511 || 42–80|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 123 || August 18 || @ Indians || 3–11 || Ogea || Williams (3–10) || — || 42,337 || 42–81|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 124 || August 19 || White Sox || 7–12 || Simas || Lima (3–6) || — || 14,690 || 42–82|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 125 || August 20 || White Sox || 16–11 || Lewis (4–6) || Tapani || — || 12,119 || 43–82|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 126 || August 21 || White Sox || 7–4 || Lima (4–6) || Simas || Olson (7) || 13,424 || 44–82|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 127 || August 22 || @ Royals || 10–3 || Thompson (1–2) || Belcher || — || 14,699 || 45–82|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 128 || August 23 || @ Royals || 3–2 || Sager (3–2) || Appier || Olson (8) || 15,603 || 46–82|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 129 || August 24 || @ Royals || 2–9 || Rosado || Olivares (7–9) || — || 28,011 || 46–83|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 130 || August 25 || @ Royals || 7–4 || Van Poppel (1–1) || Linton || Myers (9) || 15,123 || 47–83|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 131 || August 26 || Indians || 1–2 || Nagy || Lira (6–11) || — || 22,349 || 47–84|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 132 || August 27 || Indians || 2–12 || Lopez || Thompson (1–3) || — || 19,602 || 47–85|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 133 || August 28 || Indians || 3–9 || Hershiser || Sager (3–3) || — || 21,091 || 47–86|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 134 || August 29 || Royals || 4–1 || Eischen (1–0) || Appier || Lima (2) || 7,882 || 48–86|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 135 || August 30 || Royals || 4–0 || Van Poppel (2–1) || Rosado || — || 16,498 || 49–86|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 136 || August 31 || Royals || 1–3 || Linton || Lira (6–12) || Montgomery || 16,270 || 49–87|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 137 || September 1 || Royals || 2–3 (13) || Huisman || Myers (0–5) || Jacome || 17,647 || 49–88|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 138 || September 2 || @ White Sox || 8–6 || Myers (1–5) || Hernandez || Lima (3) || 19,599 || 50–88|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 139 || September 3 || @ White Sox || 4–6 || Bertotti || Olivares (7–10) || Hernandez || 13,857 || 50–89|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 140 || September 4 || @ White Sox || 6–11 || Castillo || Miller (0–1) || — || 15,120 || 50–90|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 141 || September 6 || @ Orioles || 5–4 (12) || Cummings (3–0) || Mathews || — || 46,708 || 51–90|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 142 || September 7 || @ Orioles || 0–6 || Mussina || Thompson (1–4) || — || 47,131 || 51–91|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 143 || September 8 || @ Orioles || 2–6 || Mills || Eischen (1–1) || — || 47,082 || 51–92|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 144 || September 9 || @ Orioles || 4–5 || Erickson || Olivares (7–11) || Myers || 42,562 || 51–93|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 145 || September 10 || Yankees || 8–9 || Rivera || Sager (3–4) || Wetteland || 11,042 || 51–94|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 146 || September 11 || Yankees || 3–7 || Key || Lira (6–13) || — || 9,775 || 51–95|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 147 || September 12 || Yankees || 3–12 || Cone || Thompson (1–5) || — || 9,009 || 51–96|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 148 || September 13 || Orioles || 4–7 || Erickson || Miller (0–2) || Mills || 11,178 || 51–97|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 149 || September 14 || Orioles || 6–7 || Mathews || Cummings (3–1) || Myers || 15,386 || 51–98|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 150 || September 15 || Orioles || 6–16 || Corbin || Van Poppel (2–2) || — || 13,764 || 51–99|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 151 || September 17 || Red Sox || 2–4 || Brandenburg || Lira (6–14) || Slocumb || 8,180 || 51–100|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 152 || September 18 || Red Sox || 0–4 || Clemens || Thompson (1–6) || — || 8,779 || 51–101|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 153 || September 19 || Red Sox || 3–8 || Gordon || Miller (0–3) || — || 7,666 || 51–102|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 154 || September 20 || @ Brewers || 10–1 || Sager (4–4) || Karl || — || 15,046 || 52–102|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 155 || September 21 || @ Brewers || 6–13 || D'Amico || Van Poppel (2–3) || Villone || 33,106 || 52–103|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 156 || September 22 || @ Brewers || 7–5 || Lima (5–6) || Fetters || — || 15,705 || 53–103|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 23 || Blue Jays || 4–6 || Hanson || Sager (4–5) || Timlin || 9,678 || 53–104|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 158 || September 24 || Blue Jays || 1–4 || Hentgen || Miller (0–4) || Timlin || 8,355 || 53–105|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 159 || September 25 || Blue Jays || 11–13 || Brow || Cummings (3–2) || Timlin || 8,055 || 53–106|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 160 || September 27 || Brewers || 6–7 (6) || Wickman || Van Poppel (2–4) || — || 8,606 || 53–107|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 161 || September 28 || Brewers || 2–7 || Eldred || Moehler (0–1) || — || 12,939 || 53–108|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 162 || September 29 || Brewers || 5–7 (10) || Reyes || Cummings (3–3) || Fetters || 13,038 || 53–109|-|-| Legend:      = Win      = Loss
Bold = Tigers team member

Detailed records

American League
Opponent	W	L	WP
AL East
	2	11		68	105
	1	12		50	108
Detroit Tigers
	5	8		66	99
	6	7		71	81
Total	14	38		255	393
AL Central
	3	10		70	125
	0	12		28	79
	6	6		47	47
	4	8		64	81
	6	6		68	92
Total	19	42		277	424
AL West
	6	6		75	55
	4	8		66	83
	6	6		73	83
	4	9		37	65
Total	20	29		251	286
Season Total	53	109		783	1103

Month	Games	Won	Lost	Win %
April	27	9	18		152	211
May	27	4	23		84	194
June	27	10	17		146	187
July	26	12	14		146	168
August	29	14	15		137	159
September	26	4	22		118	184
Total	162	53	109		783	1103

	Games	Won	Lost	Win %
Home	81	27	54		391	539
Away	81	26	55		392	564
Total	162	53	109		783	1103

Notable transactions

• March 22, 1996: Melvin Nieves was traded by the San Diego Padres with Raul Casanova and Richie Lewis to the Detroit Tigers for Sean Bergman, Todd Steverson, and Cade Gaspar (minors).^[3]
• March 31, 1996: Curtis Pride was signed as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers.^[4]
• April 27, 1996: Joe Boever was selected off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Detroit Tigers.^[5]
• July 31, 1996: Cecil Fielder was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for Rubén Sierra and Matt Drews (minors).^[6]
• July 31, 1996: Chad Curtis was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers for John Cummings and Joey Eischen.^[7]
• August 6, 1996: Todd Van Poppel was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Oakland Athletics.

Roster

1996 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders		Manager Coaches (Pitching) (Bench) (Third Base) (Hitting) (Bullpen) (Pitching) (First Base)

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C		75	226	56	.248	4	22
1B		100	376	94	.250	27	72
2B		145	545	147	.270	11	55
3B		157	616	165	.268	22	100
SS		52	179	35	.196	7	20
LF		130	440	141	.320	26	81
CF		104	400	105	.263	10	37
RF		110	431	106	.246	24	60
DH		77	215	43	.200	6	26

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
	107	391	97	.248	26	80
	95	267	80	.300	10	31
	110	217	55	.253	1	14
	66	193	45	.233	1	16
	46	158	35	.222	1	20
	47	152	38	.250	4	23
	48	128	31	.242	1	16
	38	120	35	.292	8	19
	38	104	25	.240	7	17
	25	85	16	.188	4	9
	21	67	23	.343	2	10
	25	64	16	.250	2	8
	18	56	9	.161	0	3
	14	38	9	.237	0	0
	17	26	2	.077	0	0
	7	21	4	.190	0	1
	6	14	1	.071	0	1

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	32	194.2	6	14	5.22	113
	25	160.0	7	11	4.89	81
	17	91.2	4	8	7.17	60
	11	59.0	1	6	4.58	44
	11	45.2	2	3	8.08	36
	11	43.1	0	4	9.35	36
	9	36.1	2	4	11.39	16
	7	24.1	1	3	11.84	9
	5	16.2	0	4	9.18	8
	2	10.1	0	1	4.35	2
	2	6.1	0	2	14.21	0

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	40	121.0	3	10	6.77	72
	26	87.2	3	6	7.39	70
	22	79.0	4	5	5.01	52

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
	43	3	0	8	5.02	29
	83	1	5	6	5.01	69
	72	4	6	2	4.18	78
	39	5	6	3	5.70	59
	25	0	4	0	8.31	28
	24	1	1	0	3.24	15
	21	3	3	0	5.12	24
	20	0	0	1	8.46	13
	16	2	2	0	8.37	20
	13	1	1	0	9.30	19
	8	0	0	0	10.64	3
	2	0	0	0	13.50	1
	2	0	0	0	24.30	0

League leaders and award winners

• Kimera Bartee: #5 in AL times caught stealing (10)
• Chad Curtis: #5 in AL times caught stealing (10)
• Cecil Fielder: MLB leader in salary ($9,237,500)
• Travis Fryman: AL leader in fielding percentage at third base (.979)
• Travis Fryman: #3 in AL in sacrifice flies (10)
• Travis Fryman: #4 in AL in outs (483)
• Richie Lewis: #2 in AL in wild pitches (14)
• Felipe Lira: #4 in AL in shutouts (2)
• Mike Myers: AL leader in games (83)
• Melvin Nieves: #2 in AL in strikeouts (158)

Worst seasons in Detroit Tigers history

Worst Seasons in Detroit Tigers History Rank Year Wins Losses Win % 1 2003 43 119 .265 2 2019 47 114 .292 3 1952 50 104 .325 4 1996 53 109 .327 5 2002 55 106 .342

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Jacksonville
Visalia affiliation shared with Arizona Diamondbacks^[8]

See also

• List of worst MLB season records
• 1996 in baseball

References

1. Web site: Most batters faced by a team in MLB history . live . https://archive.today/20241107182511/https://stathead.com/tiny/hOlpu . November 7, 2024 . November 7, 2024 . . en-US.
2. Web site: Team Pitching Game Finder: From 1913 to 2017, (requiring run_diff<=-4). Baseball Reference. August 1, 2017.
3. Web site: Melvin Nieves Stats.
4. Web site: Curtis Pride Stats.
5. Web site: Joe Boever Stats.
6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fieldce01.shtml Cecil Fielder Statistics
7. Web site: Chad Curtis Stats.
8. Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997

External links

• Baseball-Reference.com 1996 Detroit Tigers