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For the past 24 years, fans have gotten their winter fix of Detroit Tigers baseball at TigerFest. Held out in the cold at Comerica Park, or at cozy Joe Louis Arena in the old days, the event is a chance for fans to meet players new and old, hunt for photos and autographs, and hear directly from the general manager and other team brass.
Unfortunately, that ‘is’ might be a ‘was.’ According to Tony Paul of the Detroit News, the Tigers have not yet announced a date for TigerFest 2020 — or any details, for that matter.
I have asked the Tigers directly twice if they have cancelled TigerFest. Not a peep in response. Unbelievable.
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) December 28, 2019
While the calendar still says 2019, the event would normally take place in just a few weeks time. Last year, the Tigers announced TigerFest details in early December, and started selling tickets just a few days later.
This year, fans have not heard anything, and the response is understandably negative.
No Tigerfest? I am honestly speechless. This screams that the fans mean nothing. Cannot think of a bigger screw you. (Other than fielding a quad A team every year.)
— Jennifer Cosey (@VivaTigres) December 29, 2019
The announcement comes in early Dec. but so far the Detroit Tigers have avoided stating that there will be TigerFest 2020. Saving $$ or not caring about fans? Or avoiding embarrassment because the simple fact is that there are few players other than Miggy who fans want to see.
— Totally Tigers (@totallytigersbb) December 29, 2019
Our friend Roger Martin of Motor City Bengals is also searching for answers.
The Tigers are doing a disservice to its fans that want to meet their favorite players, and meet their newest Tigers. If there is a logistics issue, then just come out and let people know. Why continue to anger a fan base after a year the team only drew just over 1.5 million at the gate, which ranked you near the bottom of the American League?
The Tigers need to do the right thing and end this shroud of doubt around a fun tradition for both the city and fans alike. People have been asking for this to continue, and hopefully, it does.
As Roger says, we are not angry about the lack of details — I’ve personally never attended TigerFest, having lived in D.C. for the past decade — but want a bit more transparency from the team about whether this event (or something similar) will take place in 2020.
Everyone is really upset about the last decade
The 2010s were generally not a kind one to Detroit’s four major sports teams, as they combined for zero championships and just a handful of playoff appearances.
When you’re bored during Lions game
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) December 29, 2019
10/5/14-last Tigers playoff RBI. JD Martinez 2b.
1/5/15-last Lions playoff TD. Reggie Bush 18yd run.
4-19-16-last Wings playoff goal. Gus Nyquist
4/22/19-last Pistons playoff point. Thon Maker layup to make it 125-104
Screw
This
Decade!
I would argue that the Tigers had a great decade with a lackluster final couple seasons (to put it lightly). They won four consecutive division titles, and had a few teams that were capable of winning a title, but came up empty. Nonetheless, our friends at MLive have come up with 10 moments Detroit sports fans would like to forget from the 2010s. Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press is optimistic for the next decade, though.
It’s prospect time!
We released our top 30 prospects list on Sunday, and will be following up with plenty of coverage over the next few weeks leading up to spring training. Other sites have started to kick off their coverage as well. MLB.com named the five farm systems that have improved the most over the past year; sadly, the Tigers did not make the list. No Tigers prospect landed on the potential breakout list, but Angels outfielder Brandon Marsh miiiight be on their radar.
Source: In Matthew Boyd trade talks, OF prospect Brandon Marsh was one name mentioned in dialogue between #Tigers and #Angels. At the moment, it does not appear the sides are making progress toward a deal. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2019
Baseball America also released their top 10 list for the Tigers system recently, with no surprises to be found. Other sites are surely soon to follow — Baseball Prospectus’ list is just over a week away — and our friends at Tigers Minor League Report are always diving into the newest and latest down on the farm.
Baseball is awesome
That Bat Flip pic.twitter.com/67BIXoQuul
— Miguel Rojas (@MRojasOfficial) December 30, 2019