How Often Have the Tigers Finished Last in the AL Central?

The Detroit Tigers have had their fair share of struggles in the AL Central over the years, including some difficult stretches that left them at the bottom of the division.

But how often have the Tigers actually finished in last place, and how does that compare to the rest of the division?

That was the question that came up while talking with a Cleveland fan. We started discussing how Cleveland always seems to be near the top of the standings, which led me to wonder whether the Guardians had ever finished last. I knew the Tigers had done it plenty of times, but I wanted to know exactly how many times and whether Detroit had more last-place finishes than any other team.

So, we started digging into the numbers.

The AL Central was established in 1994, but for this comparison, we're counting from 1998 onward. That was the year the Tigers moved from the AL East to the AL Central, while the Milwaukee Brewers moved from the AL Central to the NL Central.

Since 1998, here is how often each of the five current AL Central teams has finished in last place, with a closer look at where the Tigers rank.

The Kansas City Royals have finished in last place more times than any other team in the AL Central, doing so 11 times in the 29 seasons from 1998 through 2026 (38%).

The Royals finished last again in 2026, adding to a difficult history in the division. Their worst stretch came from 2004 to 2010, when Kansas City finished in last place in six of those seven seasons.

The Detroit Tigers rank second in last-place finishes, having finished at the bottom of the AL Central eight times since 1998 (28%).

The Tigers haven't finished last since 2020, but they endured a rough stretch from 2015 to 2020, finishing last in four of those six seasons. That period highlighted the dramatic decline that followed Detroit's run of success in the early 2010s.

For Tigers fans, that stretch serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change in baseball. After competing for championships earlier in the decade, Detroit found itself rebuilding and searching for answers. The good news is that the Tigers have avoided the division's bottom spot since 2020.

The Minnesota Twins rank third, finishing in last place seven times since 1998 (24%).

Minnesota's most recent last-place finish came in 2021. The team's worst stretch occurred from 2011 to 2016, when the Twins finished last in four of those six seasons.

Like Detroit, Minnesota experienced a difficult period after finding success earlier in its history. The Twins' numbers show that even teams with a history of competing near the top of the division can experience extended stretches at the bottom.

The Chicago White Sox have finished in last place just three times since 1998 (10%).

However, two of those finishes came in consecutive seasons in 2024 and 2025. Before that stretch, Chicago had finished last only once in the previous 26 seasons.

The White Sox bounced back in 2026, turning two straight last-place finishes into a playoff run that reached the American League Division Series (ALDS). It was a remarkable turnaround after back-to-back seasons at the bottom of the division.

The Cleveland Guardians are the only current AL Central team on this list that has never finished in last place since 1998.

Previously known as the Cleveland Indians, the Guardians have been a model of consistency in the division. While other teams have experienced extended stretches at the bottom of the standings, Cleveland has consistently found ways to remain competitive.

Even looking back to 1994, when the AL Central was first formed, Cleveland has never finished last in the division. That's an impressive accomplishment for an organization that has managed to stay competitive through decades of roster changes and different eras of baseball.

The numbers tell an interesting story about the AL Central. Kansas City has endured the most last-place finishes, Detroit and Minnesota have each experienced difficult stretches, and Chicago has recently gone from the bottom of the division to the postseason.

The Tigers rank second in last-place finishes with eight, but they haven't finished at the bottom since 2020. After struggling through the second half of the 2010s, Detroit has an opportunity to put those seasons further behind it and build toward a more consistent future.

Meanwhile, Cleveland's streak of never finishing last remains one of the division's most remarkable accomplishments.

For Tigers fans, the hope is that Detroit's difficult years are becoming a thing of the past and that the franchise can continue moving in the right direction rather than returning to the bottom of the AL Central.