Detroit Tigers: 1990-1999 All-Decade Team
By Matt Snyder
First Base: Tony Clark
Tony Clark debuted with the Tigers in 1995 and took over regular first base duties in 1996 after Cecil Fielder was sent to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline. Fielder was a larger than life figure in the Detroit sports scene, but Clark did an admirable job of filling his shoes after his departure.
Clark actually match Fielder’s on-base percentage (.351) and outpaced his slugging average (.503 to .498) for the decade even if he didn’t pack quite as much home run power. Even still, Clark averaged 35 home runs per 162 games played between 1995 and 1999.
He didn’t pile up massive WAR totals (he tallied 9.4 in his 4.5 seasons with the Tigers in the 1990s), but he was a solidly above average player and a steady middle-of-the-order hitter. His 127 home runs in the decade placed him third in the organization and his aforementioned .503 slugging percentage topped the lot.
Clark left the Tigers following the 2001 season — his only appearance as an MLB All-Star — and spent eight more seasons meandering around the major leagues. He is currently serving as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.