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Comerica's Team

2006 Record: 95-67, 2nd in AL Central
Spring Training Home: Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: February 28 at Mets

The Tigers were slowly building the talent all along. All it took was Jim Leyland to hit the fast forward button and mold it all into a contender at least a year before anyone expected it. The American League Manager of the Year was able to coax career seasons out of a number of young sluggers (Craig Monroe, Brandon Inge, Marcus Thames) and presided over the emergence of a couple of dominant rookie hurlers (Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya) to overcome a disappointing collapse late in the regular season and lead the team to the World Series for the first time since 1984. Not content to rest on their laurels, the club acquired slugging designated hitter Gary Sheffield in the offseason; a clear indication they weren't satisfied with a postseason run that came to an ignominious halt on the big stage last October.

Key Additions: Gary Sheffield (OF/DH), Jose Mesa (RP), Timo Perez (OF)

Key Losses: Matt Stairs (PH), Jamie Walker (RP)

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