Baseball cards featuring players from the Detroit Tigers franchise date back to the late 19th century when the club was first established in 1894. Some of the earliest baseball cards mass produced for commerce included images of Tigers stars from the early years of the 20th century.
The American Tobacco Company began producing baseball cards as a promotional item inserted into cigarette packs and chewing tobacco in the late 1880s. These early tobacco era cards often featured images of popular players from the National League and American Association on the fronts with advertisements for the tobacco products on the backs. Some of the earliest Detroit Tigers players to appear on tobacco cards included players like Sam Crawford who spent most of his 22-year career with the Tigers from 1899 to 1917. Crawford was one of the first true Tigers stars to gain national recognition.
In 1909, the American Tobacco Company issued its famous T206 series which is considered the most significant set in the history of baseball cards. This massive 511-card release included some of the first color images of players and featured many of the game’s biggest stars of the era. Notable Detroit Tigers players that appeared in the iconic T206 set included Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Matty McIntyre, and Bill Donovan. Ty Cobb’s image in particular became one of the most sought-after cards in the entire T206 series due to his status as one of the game’s first true superstars during the Deadball Era.
In the early 1910s, other tobacco companies like Fatima, Sweet Caporal, and Indian Head also began inserting baseball cards into their products. Notable Detroit Tigers to appear in these early tobacco issues included stars George Mullin, Donie Bush, Oscar Stanage, and Lu Blue. The most significant Detroit Tigers player of this period was without question Ty Cobb who dominated the American League throughout the 1910s and cemented his status as one of the best hitters in baseball history. Cobb’s prowess on the field translated to high demand for his tobacco era cards which remain some of the most valuable in the hobby today due to his legendary career.
In the 1920s, the rise of gum and candy cards replaced tobacco issues as the dominant form of baseball card releases. Companies like American Caramel, Goudey, and Play Ball issued sets that included Detroit Tigers stars like Harry Heilmann, Jo-Jo White, and Heinie Manush. Heilmann in particular was one of the game’s top hitters of the decade and his cards from this period are highly sought after by Tigers collectors. In 1933, Goudey released its famous Goudey Gum set which included the first color photos on baseball cards. Future Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane’s image was featured in this significant release.
During WWII paper shortages led to a lull in baseball card production but the hobby boomed again in the post-war late 1940s and 1950s. Bowman and Topps emerged as the dominant card manufacturers and included Detroit Tigers stars like Schoolboy Rowe, Virgil Trucks, Hal Newhouser, and Al Kaline. Kaline, known as “Mr. Tiger,” played his entire 22-year career with Detroit and remains one of the most iconic players in franchise history. His rookie card from 1954 is one of the key cards for any Tigers collector.
The 1960s saw the rise of even more prominent Detroit Tigers as the club became a consistent contender. Players like Willie Horton, Denny McLain, Jim Northrup, and Mickey Lolich led the Tigers to two World Series championships in 1968 and 1984. Their cards, especially those produced by Topps, remain highly popular with collectors today. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the advent of color photography in cards increased their appeal. Stars like Norm Cash, Bill Freehan, and Mickey Stanley had their iconic images captured in vivid color during the peak of their careers.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Detroit Tigers greats like Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, Lance Parrish, Lou Whitaker, and Alan Trammell had their rookie cards produced by Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. These players went on to have All-Star careers and their cards from their early seasons are key pieces for any Tigers PC. In 1984, the Tigers won the World Series behind the pitching of Jack Morris and timely hitting of Darrell Evans. Their performance was commemorated with special playoff and World Series cards that year that are highly coveted by collectors today.
The late 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of stars like Kirk Gibson, Cecil Fielder, and Lou Whitaker. Gibson’s dominant performance in the 1987 All-Star Home Run Derby was captured in special Topps and Score issues while Fielder’s monster seasons in the early 90s produced some of his most iconic cardboard. One of the most significant Detroit Tigers cards of this era was the ultra-rare 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card which was accidentally printed with a Tigers hat design instead of the Mariners. Only a handful are known to exist today and it remains the Holy Grail for many collectors.
Into the 21st century, modern Detroit Tigers stars like Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and Magglio Ordonez had their careers commemorated in releases from manufacturers like Upper Deck, Leaf, and Panini. Cabrera, who won two MVP awards and led the league in hitting multiple times, has some of the most desirable Tigers cards of the modern era from the late 2000s and early 2010s. Meanwhile, Verlander, the longtime Tigers ace and Cy Young winner, has numerous prized rookie cards from 2006 and 2007 issues that are key pieces for any collection.
From the earliest tobacco era stars like Sam Crawford and Ty Cobb to modern greats like Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, baseball cards have captured the history of Detroit Tigers baseball over the past century-plus. Featuring the heroes of the past alongside current and future Tigers talent, cards remain an important collectible for documenting the franchise’s legacy and connecting generations of fans to the iconic players who wore the Olde English D on their uniforms. For any true Tigers supporter, assembling a collection highlighting the rich history of the club through its cardboard stars is a worthwhile endeavor.
