Detroit Tigers 2000-2009 All-Decade Team
By Matt Snyder
Designated Hitter: Dmitri Young
The Tigers were often awarded just the one token All-Star position in the lean years of the early 2000s (Robert Fick was an All-Star in 2002), but Dmitri Young put up legitimate numbers and earned a rightful All-Star spot in 2003.
The Tigers were absolutely terrible that season — they turned in one of the worst records in MLB history at 43-119 — but Young turned in a fantastic year at the plate with 29 home runs and a .909 OPS.
Young spent five seasons in Detroit (four in the 2000s) and led all Tigers DH candidates with a 115 wRC+ in the decade. Even given the offensive-friendly environment of the era, Young’s batting line was above average for the position.