Detroit Tigers: Who is the Archrival? (POLL)
By Matt Pelc
Cleveland Indians
As with the geography rivalry between Detroit and Chicago, the states of Michigan and Ohio have a rivalry that includes the prelude to war. As you probably remember from high school history class, the two states nearly came to civil war over Toledo. Really.
Long story short, in the 1835-36 Toledo War, Michiganders ended their hostilities when they surrendered a strip of Ohio in favor of the Upper Peninsula. Advantage? Michigan!
Sixty-one years later, a new “war” began when the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes on the gridiron, 34-0. Although the results haven’t been favorable lately, every Michigan fan is a historian that wants to remind you of the wonderful past of the program as the Wolverines lead the all-time series 58-47-6. Michigan State has also figured into this rivalry recently by being the only Big Ten team to defeat Ohio State since the 2011 season.
This also allows the Tigers and Indians to wage battle on the diamond, although shockingly with all the seasons they have played in the same division (only exception 1994-97), they have only finished 1-2 in the standings thrice (2007, 2011, 2013), meaning they haven’t been good at the same time often.
That’s not to say the teams have not taken turns tormenting each other. The powerhouse Indians of the mid-1990’s once swept a season series from the Tigers. Detroit turned the tables with a 15-4 mark in 2013, and the Tigers just enjoy breaking the Indians’ fans hearts, particularly in their own home.
Historically, this might not be the best rivalry, but currently might be the best.
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