Detroit Tigers: 1990-1999 All-Decade Team
By Matt Snyder
Designated Hitter: Cecil Fielder
After spending the 1989 season in Japan, Cecil Fielder announced his return to the major leagues with authority after signing with the Detroit Tigers ahead of the 1990 season. Fielder launched 51 home runs that year, was named an American League All-Star, won a Silver Slugger Award, and finished as the first runner up in MVP voting.
Cecil was the first player in either league to 50 home runs since George Foster hit 52 for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977, and he was the first American League player hit 50+ since Roger Maris’ 61 in 1961.
Fielder wouldn’t top 50 again, but his 6.5 seasons in Detroit brought 245 total home runs — an average of just more than 40 home runs per 162 games played.
Fielder never hit for a particularly high average, and he didn’t provide the club a ton of defensive value, but he had more raw power than any Tigers play of the 1990s. His .241 isolated power led the decade in Detroit. According to FanGraphs, Fielder’s offensive ability as a member of the Tigers was worth 120 runs above average. Coming in second for the Tigers of the 1990s was Lou Whitaker’s 96 runs above average.