Ten things that Tigers’ fans are thankful for this year

First and foremost, the Tigers are American League Central division champions for the fourth season in a row. The Tigers have never finished in first place four straight years previously in their history.

Victor Martinez was second in the American League’s Most Valuable Player balloting. Martinez had a career season, leading the league in on base percentage and wOBA, was second in batting average and slugging percentage, and has hit over .300 every season as a Tiger. And he’s coming back!

Miguel Cabrera, in an off year for him, still hit over .300 for the sixth season in a row, hit at least 25 home runs for the eleventh season in a row, and drove in over 100 runs for the eleventh year in a row.

Ian Kinsler had a fine season for the Tigers, leading all Tigers’ hitters in WAR and leading the Tigers in UZR  and all American League second basemen in defensive runs saved.  A rare defensive gem on a team starved for defense.

Torii Hunter will be leaving, but his smile, his leadership, and his bat were a joy to watch for his two seasons that he played in Detroit.

The Tigers’ starting rotation turned in another solid performance, leading the league in WAR for the third season in a row.

Max Scherzer once again was the ACE of the Tigers pitching staff, leading the team in almost every major pitching category. If he has pitched his last game as a Tiger, we are thankful to have had him for five seasons.

David Price is a newcomer to the Tigers, giving them yet another superstar, and another former Cy Young winner in their rotation.  Over the past three seasons, only Verlander and Felix Hernandez have a higher WAR than Price.

Rick Porcello, the kid who has been perennially projected to have a breakout season, finally had a breakout season, winning 15 games while posting a 3.43 ERA and a WHIP of 1.23.  Porcello actually ranks among the league’s top ten pitchers in wins since he joined the league in 2009.

Owner Mike Ilitch once again was generous to Tigers fans, spending $ 169 million in salaries for the four time division champions, and payroll is only going to go up.

Tigers’ fans turned out in big numbers once again. Over 2.9 million fans went through the turnstiles at Comerica park last season, and an average of 141,000 households tuned in to watch the Tigers play on television. That number is second only to the New York Yankees.

Happy Thanksgiving to all Tigers' fans, BYB readers, and the entire Tigersphere!