Detroit Tigers: 1990-1999 All-Decade Team

By Matt Snyder | Nov 23, 2016

Apr 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Former Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker (left) is presented with a water color painting to commemorate his 2015 Detroit Tigers African American Legacy Award by former Tiger Willie Horton and starting pitcher David Price (right) before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Center Field: Milt Cuyler

Center field was a thin position for the Tigers in the 1990s, but Milt Cuyler led the team in games played, plate appearances, and innings at the center field position. He only spent one year as a full-time starter for the Tigers, but he was with the club for six seasons.

Cuyler’s 2.8 WAR in the 1990s isn’t going turn any heads, but he represents the very best of players who spent more than two season’s worth of games in center field for the Tigers.

He finished third in Rookie of the Year award voting in 1992 (his only full season of playing time) when he finished the year with 41 stolen bases and a .335 on-base percentage.

Cuyler had trouble with the bat after that (he never again got on base at even a .320 clip) and hit just .239/.304/.324 across 1,426 plate appearances with the Tigers. He was capable with the glove, however, with defensive value making up 2.5 of his 2.8 WAR.

The Tigers released Cuyler following the 1995 season and spent the 1996 season with the Boston Red Sox. He would return to the major leagues for seven games with the Texas Rangers in 1998, his last appearance in the big leagues. He is currently a minor league hitting coach with the Minnesota Twins.

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