Detroit Tigers

The Chicago White Sox are on the verge of making MLB history -- losing a modern-day record of 121 games -- and former Detroit Tigers infielder Brandon Inge is all too familiar with playing for a historically bad team -- telling TMZ Sports it's up to the players to make sure they don't have their name etched into infamy.

We sat down with the former MLB All-star -- and a member of the 43-119 Tigers in 2003 -- and asked him about what it's like playing for a team where wins are as rare as a triple play.

"It was different," Inge said. "To put it in perspective, you're playing a sport that is something you dreamed about doing your whole life, and you're doing it on the biggest stage. So yes, that's kind of awesome, but at the same time, no one likes going out and losing that many games, losing at all for that matter."

The Detroit Tigers will now be using one of Calvin Johnson's CBD products to help them get over their injuries ... and the Hall of Famer couldn't be more stoked for the partnership -- telling TMZ Sports he hopes it leads to a bunch more teams following suit.

The MLB squad and Johnson's Primitiv company -- which Megatron cofounded with his former teammate, Rob Sims -- made the union official on Friday ... revealing in a statement that the CBD co.'s topical cream will be available to the Tigers throughout the rest of the 2024 season.

And, when we talked to Johnson just minutes after the pact became official ... he was fired up -- telling us he really believes the cannabinoid-infused stuff could make a real difference in Detroit's run to the playoffs this year.

Detroit Tigers star Spencer Torkelson absolutely lost it on an umpire after a strike call on Monday night ... going on an f-bomb-laced rant -- and the first baseman's whole temper tantrum was picked up on a hot mic!!!

The PG-13 scene played out in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Tigers' tilt with the Royals at Comerica Park ... when Torkelson was up to bat with two runners on.

Down by just a run, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft was looking to help his team take a late lead ... but, instead, the game's homeplate ump rang him up on a borderline pitch.

Torkelson clearly hated the call -- and he immediately laid into the guy.

"Oh my f***ing God!" the 23-year-old screamed. "The f*** are you looking at?!?"

Somehow, Torkelson was able to make it back to his dugout without being ejected from the game.

It all ended up well for Torkelson despite the blowup -- the Tigers' next batter, Kerry Carpenter, hit a three-run home run that ultimately gave Detroit the win.

A brand new season of Major League Baseball is here ... and players are kicking off the new season in style -- rockin' some wild fits for Opening Day!!

Down in Miami, Marlins centerfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. held nothing back for his team's Thursday matinee against the Mets ... sporting some loud, orange camo pants. His teammate, Luis Arraez, went with a more muted look, wearing a simple, button-down shirt.

In the opposing locker room, New York star Pete Alonso brought out a pair of flashy pants of his own -- while making sure his belt buckle -- and his mustache!! -- were the stars of his 'fit.

Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah, meanwhile, broke out a classic Sandlot jersey for Toronto's opener ... one that featured all of the guys from the iconic movie, including Hamilton "The Babe" Porter. Manoah was also dripped out in some dark shades and a maple leaf chain.

In the Bronx, San Francisco Giants closer Camilo Doval made The Big Apple look like The Wild West ... arriving with a huge cowboy hat on his head. Giants pitcher Logan Webb chose to pay homage to Dennis Rodman with his attire.

Other players opted for a more laid-back approach to the season opener -- with Tigers stars Javier Báez and Eduardo Rodriguez wearing some casual shirts and jeans.

Detroit Tigers star Javier Baez is worried for everyone in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona struck the island this weekend -- and he's now offering free food to those who are suffering from the devastating storm.

The hurricane made landfall in PR on Sunday -- and according to governor Pedro Pierluisi, it's caused "unprecedented" flooding in some areas. In fact, one flood actually forced a metal bridge to collapse in the Guaonica River.

Hurricane Fiona has also left millions without power ... which means cooking food has been difficult -- but Baez says he has people in his home country covered there -- at no cost.

"All those families who are in need of a hot meal can stop by @taquizapr in Toa Baja," the two-time All-Star said on Monday, "and we will serve it to you for FREE!!"

"If your community is affected and you're in need of hot meal, you can call 787-665-2323 (Joshua) or stop by @taquizapr and we will make all the arrangements. Blessings to all of you!"

Baez added, "I know we're going through something very difficult. I'm with you."

Puerto Rican boxing star Amanda Serrano also prayed for her home country -- saying on her social media page, "It’s storm season & we are experiencing one now."

"May we all come out safe 🙏♥"

Pierluisi said they're doing everything they can to bring back power to the island as "inspection and restoration work is being done."

Scary moment on the MLB diamond Tuesday ... A's shortstop Elvis Andrus hit Chad Pinder in the face with his knee in a violent collision during Oakland's game against Detroit.

Thankfully, both guys were somehow OK.

The horrifying moment just went down in the fifth inning of the A's vs. Tigers afternoon matchup ... when Andrus attempted to leave the infield to catch a short pop-up that was dropping in left field.

Pinder raced in from deep in left to also try to catch the ball -- and as he dove to make the grab, Andrus accidentally hit him with full force.

Video shows Andrus' knee hit Pinder's face hard -- and the two stayed down on the grass for several minutes.

Trainers eventually came out to check on the Oakland duo -- and, wildly, both guys ended up being fine and stayed in the game.

Two Detroit Tigers players crashed into each other in the outfield Tuesday night ... and the collision was so violent, both guys had to leave the game with injuries.

It all went down in the 8th inning of the Tigers' tilt against the Orioles in Baltimore ... when Akil Baddoo and Derek Hill went after a fly ball that was hit to left-center field.

You can see in the footage, the guys were both so laser-focused on the ball ... neither saw each other, and slammed their bodies together HARD.

The collision was nasty -- it popped Baddoo's hat straight off his head -- and both men landed on the ground with a ton of force.

The guys were able to walk off the field after a lengthy delay ... but, afterward, Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said the two were dealing with injuries.

Hinch said Baddoo had a shoulder problem and was being looked at for a possible concussion. Hill, Hinch said, was being checked for possible rib issues.

"When I got out there, obviously a couple trainers out there with me, both guys were pretty beat up and in a lot of pain," Hinch said. "Very scary incident.''

Have a bad weekend? There's probably no way it was worse than Beau Burrows' ...

The Detroit Tigers pitcher got so sick on the mound Saturday -- he blew chunks ALL OVER IT -- and then he was promptly sent down to the minors afterward.

The gross scene all went down in the Tigers' game against the White Sox ... when Burrows entered the contest in the 4th inning with Detroit losing 8-2.

The 24-year-old rookie cruised in his first inning on the bump ... but ran into some major issues when he came back out for the fifth inning.

He walked a batter, gave up two straight hits, then walked another batter ... and even though he went on to strike out the next two guys -- something went terribly wrong.

Check out the footage, as Burrows was trying to close out the inning ... he got visibly ill -- and threw up everywhere ... TWICE.

Burrows tried to stay in the game ... but he was pulled after trainers and coaches came out to talk with him.

But, the worst part? The Tigers sent him down to Triple-A after the game ... meaning he's going to have to work his ass off to get back up to The Show anytime soon.

As for his health, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch didn't seem concerned this was a long-term or serious issue ... explaining his pitcher was simply just nauseous.

Ty Cobb's century-old, game-used baseball bat -- complete with cleat marks and tobacco juice stains -- just sold for over $1 MILLION!!

TMZ Sports has learned Cobb's 34.5 inch, 40.1-ounce ash Hillerich & Bradsby bat -- used by the baseball legend during the 1928 MLB season -- raked in $1.1 mil at a private sale.

The buyer and seller of the insanely special piece have chosen to remain anonymous.

Cobb was one of baseball's earliest stars ... and an absolute BEAST at the plate. He won the Triple Crown in 1909, the A.L. MVP in 1911, and was a 12x batting champion. He averaged .366 and had 4,191 hits over his 24 season career.

The lumber was authenticated and graded by PSA ... who gave the bat a perfect GU 10 score -- a super important figure for collectors.

In order to authenticate the bat, PSA says they examined cleat markings and tape on the bat (among other stuff) -- and all were consistent with other known Cobb bats. They also traced records back to the manufacturer.

The bat also came with a hand-written note from Ty ... who referenced using the bat during "the last year of my career in baseball" -- the 1928 season with the Philadelphia Athletics.

Joe Orlando -- CEO of PSA's parent company, Collectors Universe -- tells us Cobb's bat is one of the most special items to hit the market.

“In this case, when you consider the classic Ty Cobb characteristics this bat exhibits, along with its impeccable provenance, it’s no wonder this gamer became the first of its kind to crack the $1 million dollar barrier."

"From his signature taped handle, which is totally intact, to the tobacco juice-soaked barrel, the eye appeal of this baseball relic is elite.”

Cracking 7 figures is very rare ... but not totally unheard of. Back in 2019, the bat Babe Ruth used to slug his 500th home run sold for $1 million at auction.

Al Kaline -- an MLB Hall of Famer who was affectionately known as Mr. Tiger -- has died at the age of 85.

A family friend of the Detroit legend confirmed the news with the Detroit Free Press on Monday ... although a cause of death was not immediately known.

Kaline was an unbelievable baseball player for the Tigers from 1953-1974 ... making 18 All-Star games and earning 10 gold gloves.

The former outfielder logged 3,007 hits, had a career batting average of .297 and slugged 399 home runs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 ... and his No. 6 was retired by the Tigers that same year.

Kaline also has a statue at Comerica Park in Detroit.

"Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many," former Tigers ace Justin Verlander said Monday. "I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time."

"I am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years.  R.I.P. Mr Tiger, Al Kaline."

The baseball legend worked in some capacity with the Tigers up until his death ... holding various roles as either an announcer, coach or front-office exec.

#RIP

Is this interaction the reason Josh Harrison went straight from the diamond to the injured list this week!?!

Seems like a decent possibility ... 'cause just 24-or-so hours after a fan begged Harrison to steal more bags for his fantasy team -- Josh got injured running the bases!!!

Here's the deal ... the Tigers played the Mets in New York on Sunday -- and as Harrison was boarding the team bus ... a fan stopped him for a fist bump and a small request.

"I got you on my fantasy team and if it's not too much to ask, more stolen bases."

Harrison shrugged off the guy with a smile, saying, "I'm just worried about wins right now!"

BUT ... during Detroit's game against Baltimore on Monday -- Harrison stole third base in the ninth inning (only his 3rd steal of the season) -- and he had to leave with an injury right after!!!

The Detroit Tigers should sign Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel ... so says their own manager, Ron Gardenhire, who tells TMZ Sports, "We could use them."

The two free agents have yet to sign with new teams despite being stars in the league ... and when we got Gardenhire out in NYC over the weekend, he says he wouldn't mind seeing them in Detroit jerseys.

Ron's right ... the Tigers COULD use those guys. Detroit is currently 19-32 and sitting in 4th place in the AL Central.

The problem for Ron? The two stud pitchers are expected to command a TON of money when they do eventually sign -- and that ain't exactly what Detroit's front office wants to do at this point.

As for if either of the free agents WILL have a team at some point this season ... Ron's confident even if it ain't his Tigers -- some MLB squad will "will step up."

Forget Mayweather vs. McGregor ... it was YANKEES VS. TIGERS in Detroit -- when Miguel Cabrera got into a fistfight with Yanks catcher, Austin Romine, and the benches cleared!

Here's the backstory .... Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer had drilled Yankees star, Gary Sanchez, earlier in the game. Yanks reliever Tommy Kahnle retaliated by throwing behind Cabrera.

Kahnle and Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, were both ejected over the pitch -- but Cabrera was still unhappy and straight socked Romine behind home plate.

Pandemonium ensued ... the benches cleared -- and the Yanks relievers came SPRINTING from the bullpen to join the melee.

Cabrera and Romine were both ejected. The game is still underway ...

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch -- who also founded Little Caesars Pizza -- has died at 87 ... his family confirmed.

Ilitch was worth a fortune ... reportedly more than $6 BILLION.

He also owned the Detroit Red Wings ... who won 4 Stanley Cups under his ownership.

“My father was a once-in-a-generation entrepreneur, visionary and leader, setting the tone for our organization and our family” ... Ilitch's son said in a statement.

Ilitch's family says he died at a local hospital.

Forget the Olympics, the Zika virus has already infiltrated MLB -- with Detroit Tigers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez saying he contracted the virus in Venezuela during the offseason.

The 34-year-old revealed his health status to ESPN -- saying his symptoms started off almost like a common cold ... but quickly escalated.

"It wasn't a cold. A cold, you have a sneeze, have a headache, take a couple Tylenol and you're done. You don't have a cold for two weeks, you don't have a bodyache for two weeks, you don't have headaches, throwing up, weaknesses for two weeks."

Rodriguez says he was bedridden for 2 weeks while he fought off the mosquito-borne virus -- which some experts say can cause severe birth defects and neurological issues in adults.

He also says it took him roughly 2 months before he started to feel normal again -- and notes that he was never considered contagious.

As for Olympic athletes worried about catching Zika in Brazil -- Rodriguez says the concern is real.