How the Tigers scrapped a World Series team into a rebuild with no clear end 

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the title. This team was so much fun, but at times so frustrating. Great memories, and a wonderful time to be a Tigers fan.

Still can’t believe my Tigers never got a World Series win during these years. Elite starting pitching and lineups year after year but the bullpen or untimely hitting in the playoffs always let them down.

Therapist: “It was a baseball team ten years ago Ethan” Me: “THEY WERE *THIS* CLOSE DAMN IT!”

They had an elite lineup in 2012-13, and even after the Fielder trade, they added JD and Castellanos. It should've been a longer window to win with all the talent they had. They're finally building towards something, I hope Miggy gets another chance even if he's basically a player-coach.

It’s unreal how good that 2012 team was and says a lot that the giants BODIED them in the World Series. That 2012 giants team was nuts

As a Detroit Sports Fan, Mike Illitch always made every effort possible to help our teams win. Including going for broke and breaking the bank. We have been spoiled in Hockey Town and I hope to witness the Tigers win one day. R.I.P Mr. I. Detroit vs Everybody

A Tigers collapse Video?!?! I already know this is going to be amazing.

That 2012 Tigers team was STACKED man. Miggy in Triple Crown form Prince Fielder in his first year Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello, Fister, Anibal Sanchez They just ran into… a GIANT problem.

I have been waiting a long time for this one, it is amazing just how many Tigers from 2006-2012 won a World Series when they left Detroit with us getting a demoralizing rebuild in the process.

The 2011-2014 tigers is the greatest disappointment in baseball history. All that talent. Verlander, Cabrera, schzer, . All first ballot hall of famers. And didn’t even win a single World Series game.

Now we need a collapse of how the Texas rangers blew their chances in their World Series appearances and how that team went up in smoke Or how my NY Mets failed to become a dynasty after 86

They spent a billion dollars on contracts for almost 15 years and all they got was a 1-8 record in the World Series if you count the 2006 World Series. The Detroit Tigers are the embodiment of “Money can’t buy happiness.”

And I thought the Wings collapse hurt to watch, THEY WERE SOOO CLOSE. Good Lord the pitching on that team was filthy, too bad the bullpen was inconsistent 😔

That 2013 ALCS loss hurts more than the World Series from the year before. The Ortiz grand slam, complete with the shot of the cop celebrating while Hunter falls over the wall, and letting the Red Sox feel like a team of destiny, letting the city of Boston win another championship. That Tigers team would've beaten the Cardinals in the World Series

As a Detroit sports fan, I feel like my teams have been repeatedly attacked by this channel over the last year. But I know that it’s all just the cold reality of how high all of our teams were in the last decade plus (minus the Lions, of course) without ever reaching the pinnacle.

Collapse is becoming a neglected gem on the channel, please bring them back more consistently! Great job guys!

As a depressed tigers fan who couldn’t watch this video til months after it released there’s a few things not mentioned in this video: There’s no denying the bullpen ruined the 2012-2014 teams but while the bullpen was bad, Ausmus’ managing was somehow worse. The beginning of Avilas tenure still had a high payroll and tons of all star talent derailed by an incompetent manager who was put in place because he was a former player meant the look good on TV, which obviously doesn’t work with a team full of talent and that lead to the rebuild more than the bullpen did. Secondly, pointing out the tigers drop by 100M dollars in payroll leaves out the fact that Cabrera was making nearly 1/3 of that roughly 70M payroll in the last few seasons. It’s one thing to lower payroll and rely on young talent, but Donbrowski traded away all the young talent to acquire a loaded roster. When they finally decided to rebuild not only were there no good players left in the minors but they prospects Avila traded for all flopped. Aside from Fulmer, who just got traded in 2022 for a 25 yo starter with a 7.17 ERA in AA, not one player panned out for all of the talent traded away in this video (multiple cy young winners, JD Martinez, etc) Speaking of the roster, Guys like Dixon Machado and Warwick suppold were decent roll players, but got paid league minimum on the worse team in the MLB. Both chose to play in Korea to make more money and have a chance to play meaningful baseball that could further their careers instead of losing 100+ games a year with no end in sight. The 2022 tigers finally spent money, not that Avila knows where to spend it. Chris Ilitch is fed up with the tigers, so they did sign or trade for respectable players in Baez, Meadows, and Rodriguez. While Baez has turned his season around after starting out hitting barely .150 and at least looks like a respectable player the later two big signing have been injured or sick 95% of the season, along with the entire young promising pitch staff being hurt. In some cruel joke the baseball gods smited all but Tarik Skubal, and the tigers have started 15 pitchers going all the way to the fifth starter in AA getting unexpected big league time that you probably remember (the player who Jomboy broke down how he was ripping pitches). With all this being said, there is a small chance the Tigers can send Cabrera out with a post season appearance. Turnbull, Mize, and Manning will be healthy with other young staters Skubal and Brieske, Erod could be back but that’s quality 6 MLB starters. The bullpen has quietly been top 5 in all of baseball, ironically, with an all star closer. Riley Greene looks like a bright young star, and since he and Victor Reyes became healthy the tigers have been playing just under .500 and are no longer on pace for the worst offense since integration. Factor in the better offense when healthy, a healthy starting rotation to being next season, a randomly top 5 bullpen, the AL central being laughably bad, and the chance for other young players to step up (Haase has been surprising in limited time, Torkelson can improve, Baddoo has value) there’s a chance 2023 could be the tigers year. While 2022 has gone wrong at every turn, there’s still hope. There’d be even more excited if Avila was exiled to a remote island like Napoleon so he can never ruin a baseball team ever again, but there is actually signs of improvement since Hinch arrived. If you read all of this thank you, hopefully it helps further illustrate just how sad the collapse of the tigers was. Also being a Detroit sports fan in the 2010s is laughably painful, the four major sports teams had a win percentage combined under .300 in 2019 with probably deserves its own video but not even the dorktown guys deserve to watch any of those games back

Had the Tigers won the title in 2013 as projected, that team would be forever in the history books as one of the single greatest of all time. And damn, they were FUN to watch. I remember being at a barbecue and everyone stopping what they were doing to run in and watch Anibal Sanchez strike out 17 in a row. It felt like every game there was something new that amazed me about the team. And the boys were having a good time playing all through the summer. I miss it and I hope we get it back.

I feel like the rebuild has a clear ending currently. Probably in a year or two they will be good.

As Detroiter those years were interesting. The games were usually well in hand. Then the relievers would go in and it was a crap shoot from game to game. Everyone was nervous because we knew we didn’t have a deep dugout and when bats go quiet in October we were all collectively holding our breath.

David Ortiz’s grand slam could warrant a Rewinder itself. Also, why didn’t you mention that in addition to all those pitchers, Dave Dombrowski went to the Red Sox and won a World Series with them?

Wait, the Tigers clinched the AL pennant a decade ago. Man, time flies.

The wait for a winner to be decided in the 2012 NLCS really killed their momentum imo

"That's quite a successful season with quite a painful conclusion." That sums up the Tigers during that window.

Urinatingtree did a great video on the tigers The fact that this team didn't win a world series is just insane. The pitching was brilliant, the hitting was insane. They just never had the bullpen X_X

It’s nice to know that Cabrera stayed with us all this time, despite all of our problems, he is loyal, and I hope he can continue his batting strength into his last few seasons

I noticed that after the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series, they temporarily fell into a huge slump that felt like it would take years to get out of. I don't think it was coincidence that Dave Dombrowski was their head of baseball operations during that time. Fortunately for Boston, they rebounded a lot quicker than many people predicted, and I'd say it's mainly thanks to Chaim Bloom replacing Dombrowski in 2020

What's even crazier, is that Detroit had five current and future Cy Young winners on the team at one point (Porcello, Price, Ray, Scherzer, Verlander).

As a tigers fan & beer vendor from 11-14 those tigers teams were so incredibly fun to watch. A healthy Vmart was a game changer in the line up but once that 2012 season was over most knowledgable fans knew it was over. We had already sold out the minor league and had nothing in the bullpen other than porcello. What a heart break of an era.

Ideas for future Collapse videos: How the Seattle Seahawks went from the Legion of Boom to the Legion of Gloom How the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl team imploded instantly afterward How the Denver Broncos went from an AFC powerhouse to an endless cycle of rebuilding How the Houston Rockets went from an NBA West contender to one of the worst teams in the NBA How the Buffalo Bills (90s) went from Super Bowl contenders to years of depression and heartbreak

10 years give or take later the number of these guys that are not only still active but still good is insane.

I'm a Detroit Tigers fan. My entire family has been fans of the Detroit Tigers for decades. I was in the stadium when Magglio hit the walk-off homer to send the Tigers to what Secret Base has called "the Worst World Series Ever". In spite of this, I keep forgetting that the 2012 World Series happened and can remember absolutely nothing from it. I'm not the only one in my family either. It's weird.

I'll always have the memory of watching the 2012 ALDS from the fences at Comerica and watching the Yankees crumble. That was great for me.

It's been a long past few years but the future looks bright for the Tigers. Actually excited for their season for the first time in quite some time. Just hope the lockdown doesn't drag on too long.

The video I've been waiting for for years 🥲🥲 many tears shed over these squads

This was an awesome Collapse! Keep it up Secret Base!

*Collapse:* - Arizona Diamondbacks (post-2001) - Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels (post-2002) - Colorado Avalanche (post-2001) - Los Angeles Kings (post-2014) - New Jersey Devils (post-2003) - Texas Rangers (post-2011) *Beef History:* - Battle of Ontario - Battle of Alberta - Battle of California *Rewinder:* - Patrick Kane’s 2010 Cup-winning goal - Frenzy on Figueroa (Kings-Red Wings 2001) - Paul Kariya’s goal (2003 SCF) *Untitled:* - Daniel Alfredsson - Patrick Marleau - Sedin twins

One of the best starting rotations of all time.👌

These videos bring back so many memories. Keep up the work!!

Man, this rips open the wound that was left by the sweep at the 2012 WS. And, then, the fallout afterwards. Nice video.

What’s more heartbreaking is the number of former Tigers that have gone on to win a World Series with different teams

That 2014 year in particular was wild, because the AL was wide open. They owned the Royals that year (13-6 vs KC in 2014), and if they would have gotten past Baltimore, they would have gone to the World Series.

I always enjoy Seth's scripts and voice over. Top work as usual

Yes! I love this series! Please keep making episodes!

Ouch. As a Tigers fan, I still remember cheering for them as a juggernaut favored to win the WS. I think they're approaching contention this year since they signed one of the best short stops in the league, and they have a lot of really good pieces coming up through the system.

All while the Tigers’ bullpen routinely blew up, a team within their own division went on a WS run that netted them a trophy on 2015 built mainly on the backs on their dominate bullpen. Must’ve been hell for Tigers fans. Also Forever Royal!

I knew this was going to be part of collapse episodes! Love these episodes! Keep up your good work!

I remember being younger and associating the name Joe Nathan with the phrase “oh god please no” It was hard growing up a Tigers fan when all you had to show for it was broken dreams and a team that was a shadow of what it could’ve been

Weird to end it like that when they signed two big name free agents(Javy Baez and E-Rod) this off-season after their young core showed progress.

Absolutely insane they had Verlander AND Scherzer on the SAME TEAM, and still couldn’t win the big one. 🤯

It’s worth mentioning that in that 2012 series with the Yankees, Derek Jeter’s knee gave out in extra innings of game 1. A game that had no business being in extra innings but Jose Valverde blew like a 70-run lead and then Drew Smyly pulled an absolute Houdini act to keep the game tied. But Jeter was lost for the rest of the postseason and most of 2013. The Yankees’ season long musical chairs project of replacement level shortstops left them a non-factor in the AL East, and that’s how Boston was able to come out of there to begin with. The Tigers had no trouble at all getting past the Yankees in the postseason throughout their entire era of contention. Perhaps they needed them to remain in the picture.

Very interesting episode of Collapse from my good friends at Secret Base! 👍🧐 Excellent narration performance as always by Seth Rosenthal! 👍😉

Some more collapse video ideas 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers 2008 Arizona Cardinals 2015 Denver Broncos 2014 San Antonio Spurs

Future Collapse episodes: 1998-99 Dallas Stars 2005-06 San Diego Chargers 1988-89/2003-04 Calgary Flames 1987-88/2005-06 Edmonton Oilers 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes 1993-94 Houston Oilers 2011-12 New Jersey Devils 1993-94/2010-11 Vancouver Canucks 1991-92 Washington Redskins 1990-91 New York Giants 2005 White Sox and Astros 1993-94 New York Rangers 2011 Texas Rangers 2014 Orioles 2015 Royals and Mets 1990 Reds 1993/2016 Blue Jays 1999 Jaguars, Titans 90s Bills 2000-01 Milwaukee Bucks 1995-96 Supersonics 2008-09/2015-16 Arizona Cardinals 2015-16 Broncos 2005-06/2014-15 Colts 2005-06/2018-19 Bears 2013-14 Spurs 2003-04 Arsenal FC

This video brought back so many emotional flashbacks having lived out this entire drama over years… It covers a lot of the lows but there were also a lot of highs in those years. There were big disappointments, but honestly it was still a great time to be a Tigers fan. I could probably still name the entire rosters from 2010-2015. Looking forward to another team like that one day.

You have no idea how long tigers fans have been Waiting for a video like this. Thankyou

It is absolutely insane to me that the entire starting pitching staff have ALL won a World Series since leaving Detroit

As an Orioles fan, it's honor to be on a collapse video and not be the victim 🥲

Austin Jackson getting traded was some of the most heartbreaking things I’ve experienced as a Tigers fan (besides the 06& 12 WS lol). I still have that #14 jersey, although it don’t fit me anymore. Ajax was suppose to be a tiger for life😢. Him and Miggy were my favorite players growing up.

I had just started grad school and was driving back to Atlanta from Baton Rouge after visiting my gf for the weekend during that Game 2 of the Red Sox series. Listened to the game on the radio and have a pretty vivid memory of bring on top of the world thinking Detroit wad again World Series bound thanks to Scherzer’s start and having a 5-1 lead pretty late in the game. Then being absolutely gutted by the grand slam/loss yet still feeling like we were in good shape. Little did I know then that the 2013 ALDS would be their last playoff series win and 2014 the last playoff appearance for at least a decade.

As a Giants fan I like this story. =)

Man, watching this broke my heart. Still can’t believe the Tigers didn’t get at least 1 WS title out of those teams. It’s been dark days with all of our Detroit teams ever since really

This has been out for some time, but I'm ready for this pain!

YES THEY FINALLY MADE THIS ONE! I WAS ASKING FOR IT FOR SO LONG! GOATED 🤩

As a Mets fan, I miss that team. Very fun to watch. But it all led to us getting Max Scherzer, so it’s all good in the end

As a Nationals fan Id love to see the rise and fall of the 2019 Nationals

October of 2012 was an amazing time to be in Windsor, Ontario. We thought it would be a sinch. Thanks for breaking my heart all over again!

2021 gave many of us Tigers fans a new hope, as we had 4 winning months (and finished overall far better than from 2017 to 2020), new capable management, a roster chock full of young, incredible talent, and the fact that some of our best minor league players will play in the big leagues this season. With that said, it is safe to say that things are looking up as bright as 10 years ago, and that I am confident that my Tigers will be playoff contenders hopefully this year and will finally win it all soon enough.

As a Red Sox fan, watching Big Papi and the Flying Hawaiian grand slams in the ALCS are 2 memories that will last a long time

In retrospect, what a stacked Tigers team that was.

This team was special man. 2011-2013 was the most amazing and most heart breaking. I miss Mr. I. He wasn't perfect, no one is. But he cared about the teams and wanted them to win more than most owners.

I’ve always been a sox fan and being from pittsburgh I’ve liked the pirates too but man the early 2010s tigers were so fun to watch. Miggy is still one of my favorite baseball players of all team and that batting lineup/rotation was crazy I can’t believe they didn’t win

To be fair, the Braves had plenty of reasons to win besides beating the Tigers that day in 2016. That was also their last game at Turner Field, and after the game, the plates were dug up from each of the bases and moved to their new stadium. TF's still around- it's just now a college football stadium for Georgia State.

Looking back at our 2010's history, we have had a long list of brilliant talent that we weren't able to keep. Once we dug ourselves into a hole, we haven't gotten anything done. Injuries upon injuries yield no success.

Russell Wilson's Seahawks, 2010's Canucks, Late-80s Mets....all good candidates for a collapse episode.

This was such a great team I remember going to a game in Cleveland with my father see them that year was my nephew got to meet Justin Verlander and it was amazing

Dave committed the greatest sin in Mike’s eyes - he told him the truth. Detroit was clinging to hope but by then it was too late.

Best game I’ve ever been to was game 2 of the 2014 ALDS. The former Tiger Deleon Young’s double was the loudest moment of my life.

I was at Game 4 of the 2012 ALCS when the Tigers finished the sweep of the Yankees. What came next just didn't seem possible. I bought the Tigers ALCS Championship t-shirt after they lost the WS and I still wear it proudly to this day.

Back throughout that whole timespan when the Tigers were dang good (so 2011-2014), my two best friends were both Tigers fans and so I mercilessly rooted against Detroit just to mess with them. Now though, I kinda wish they HAD won that World Series in 2012 (or preferably beaten the Sox in 2013), if for no other reason than to give Miggy and Mr. I that World Series championship they came so close to and tried so hard to get.

The Tigers had no reason to have a high payroll in 2019-2021. They have started to pay free agents this year, as expected, as they end their rebuild. Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez coming in with their young pitching staff and elite prospects could lead to a very good team.

Lets Go Orioles! That sweep was one of the best moments of my Baltimore sports fandom.

My wife and I were a house divided in 2012. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area so I love the Giants. I moved to Detroit when I was in high school and live there now. My wife (God rest her soul) was a huge Tigers fan. I loved the Tigers except when they played the Giants. Such happy gloating over that World Series.

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR YEARS

Dave Dombrowski destroying the Tigers’ farm system and trading away Fister, Cespedes and Price hurt this team more than anything. His habit for destroying farm systems is what got him fired in Boston.

This tigers team was good back when life was simple

Excited to see Collapse back!

I've been waiting for a video on this team! Such a shame this team never got a title.

They have a plethora of talented young players now. Look out for the Motor City Bengals going forward. However, their " create a team video game roster " of 2011-16 was unbeatable on paper. But not a balanced team. They had holes. defense, speed and bullpen. You need all three of those to win in October.

As a Giants fan, I love the 2012 ws. Everyone counted us out and we swept em.

SRS sent me. Two video's about the same team on the same day... I like it, and... Well I'm a new subscriber

Happy Days as a Tigers fan. Shows how much success is tied into an owners interest in winning (spending) or losing. They haven't lost this fan but idk when a meaningful game will be played in Detroit again... It's been awhile.

So we have collapses on The Red Wings The Pistons The Tigers see the Lions are playing the smart game, cant have a collapse if you never had a good team

I honestly feel like that 2013 ALCS, the Tigers were the more talented team but the Red Sox just played with more heart. And that’s one of the many reasons in my opinion the Tigers have collapsed. All that talent and money but no heart 😔

Been asking for this for years !!!!

I completely forgot about Joba going to the Tigers! Great analysis..

FIRST THE RED WINGS THEN THE PISTONS NOW THIS THANK THE LORD YALL CANT DO THE LIONS

I was wondering when someone would cover this team.

This team is what turned me on to baseball loved them and still a lifelong tigers fan ❤

Being a Detroit fan you brought back happy yet terrible memories