The 2022 Detroit Tigers have been of the most disappointing teams in recent Detroit sports memory. After finishing 77-85 in 2021, they are on a path towards 100 loses with little or no positive takeaways from 2022. The 2022 Detroit Tigers are no-doubt a disappointment. So that got us thinking, what are some other recent Detroit Teams that have let the city down? Here is 5 other Detroit Teams that have let us down in the last decade:
The 2014 Detroit Tigers
Who is the best team to NOT win a championship?
I’ll start: 2014 Detroit Tigers
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) February 16, 2022
After falling to the Boston Red Sox in heartbreaking fashion in the 2013 ALCS, the Tigers looked for ways to get over the hump heading into the 2014 season. Offseason additions like Rajai Davis, Joe Nathan and acquiring Ian Kinsler from the Texas Rangers gave fans hope for the season to come.
After a decent first half, the Tigers moved Drew Smyly, Austin Jackson and prospects in a three-team trade with Tampa Bay and Seattle to land David Price. With a rotation of former cy young winners including Verlander and Scherzer, the Tigers seemed unstoppable with the addition of Price. Add in a breakout season from J.D. Martinez, where he clubbed 23 home runs, and the Tigers were able to clinch the AL Central Division on the last day of the season.
Going into an ALDS matchup against the Baltimore Orioles, The Tigers seemed poised to return to the ALCS for the 4th straight year. Three Baltimore wins later, and the Tigers have yet to return to the playoffs since, as injuries, free agency, and poor trades have plagued the team for years. Somehow a team with prime Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Justin Verlander, Ian Kinsler, Max Scherzer, and David Price were unable to win a single playoff game, making the 2014 Detroit Tigers one of the more disappointing teams in recent memory.
The 2016-2017 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons were on the upswing heading into the 2016-2017 season, as they won 44 games the previous season, making the playoffs in the process. After spending money to sure up the bench, adding players like Jon Leuer and Ish Smith, the Pistons had their sights set on at least a playoff victory in 2017.
Things just never seemed to click, as the team floated around 500. most of the year, finishing at 37-45 and missing the playoffs. The team was mediocre and with the regression of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, as well as the failed development of Stanley Johnson, the Pistons had officially entered NBA purgatory.
Stan Van Gundy, then the coach and GM of the Pistons was forced to make a trade for Blake Griffin the following year, leading to more mediocre seasons for the Detroit Pistons heading into the 2020s.
The 2017 Detroit Tigers
After a positive season in 2016 where the Tigers won 86 games and missed the playoffs by just one game, you could make the case that the 2017 Tigers would be right back into the playoff race. The 2017 season was a nightmare in every way imaginable for the Detroit Tigers, as they struggled with underperforming stars and injuries all year.
Cabrera had the worst year of his career, hitting just 249. Victor Martinez finished with on OPS. under 700, and Ian Kinsler had his worst year in Detroit. The Tigers had no choice but to pull the plug at the 2017 trade deadline, moving J.D Martinez and Justin Upton for underwhelming prospect packages.
A week later, franchise legend Justin Verlander was traded to the eventual World Series Champions, the Houston Astros and the Tigers entered a rebuild that they have still been trying to out of till this day.
The 2018 Lions
The 2017 Detroit Lions finished 9-7 under Jim Caldwell just missing out on a wild card spot. The Lions fired Jim Caldwell heading into the 2018 season, hiring former defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, Matt Patricia.
Lead by Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay and Golden Tate offensively, the Lions averaged 240.3 yards per game, as well as boasting a solid defense, with Darius Slay and Quandre Diggs having strong seasons.
Although the Lions looked good on paper, they finished with just a 6-10 record, taking a step back with Patricia. It was a confusing season for the Lions as they beat the Patriots for the first time since 2000, while also sweeping the Packers. The 2018 Detroit Lions were a team looking to take the next step, but unfortunately failed to do so.
The 2019-2020 Pistons
The 2019-2020 Detroit Pistons had some real expectations after making the playoffs the previous season lead by former Coach of the Year, Dwayne Casey. Blake Griffin led the Pistons, having one of the best seasons of his career making All-NBA Third Team. The Pistons had a solid supporting cast featuring Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and youngster Luke Kennard.
After a successful offseason where the Pistons added veterans like Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris to solidly their depth, Detroit hoped to win their first playoff game since 2008. Unfortunately, things did go as planned, as Blake Griffin started the season injured and the team played underwhelming basketball until the trade deadline. The Pistons had no choice but to trade former all-star Andre Drummond for table scraps and buyout players like Reggie Jackson and Markieff Morris.
The Pistons limbed to a 20-46 record, failing to qualify for the NBA Bubble. A core of Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Derrick Rose would have been fun to see make a playoff push, but due to injuries and a flawed roster, the disappointment of the 2019-2020 season would lead to the eventual hiring of Troy Weaver and the restoration of the Detroit Pistons.
