The Detroit Tigers were an afterthought in the American League for the better part of two decades.

Those times have quickly ended.

Probably the biggest surprise in baseball last year was Detroit’s success. Not only did they show they are a well-rounded club, they proved they can play with the big dogs and made it out of the competitive AL and into the World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals eventually bested them, but this team is hungry for more, and believe they are even better than the 2006 AL champion edition.

It had been 12 seasons since Detroit experienced a winning season, and their success can be attributed to management’s commitment to making the club better. Dave Dombrowski is the most underrated general manager in baseball and skipper Jim Leyland lit a fire under his players in the first month of 2006 after they had gotten off to a slow start. The players responded by finishing the year with a 95-67 record.

Much of that success was from the Tigers’ pitching staff. Detroit hurlers threw 16 shutouts in 2006, the most in the majors. The ace of this young rotation is 42-year-old Kenny Rogers. The club was 27-9 in his starts last year and, more importantly, Rogers was 3-0 in the postseason. He leads the best rotation in baseball. Justin Verlander won the Rookie of the Year award after going 17-9 and another youngster, Jeremy Bonderman, had 202 strikeouts on his way to winning 14 games. Fourth starter Nate Robertson is an innings-eater that had only a .500 record last season, but he posted a solid 3.84 ERA. Long-time Tiger Mike Maroth didn’t pitch after May due to an elbow injury, but he was 5-2 in 13 games before going down.

The bullpen is every bit as impressive as the rotation. Closer Todd Jones is a fan favorite, and is the franchise’s all time leader in saves with 179. Setting up Jones is a man that can consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun; Joel Zumaya has of the best fastballs in the game. In just 62 appearances he had 97 strikeouts, becoming one of the best setup men in baseball, and he’ll eventually take over the closer role. Jose Mesa was brought in to pitch in the middle innings, Fernando Rodney is in the mix after having a superb season, and Wilfredo Ledezma will serve as the left-handed specialist.

The pitching staff led this team to within inches of a title in ‘06, but they made one key move in the offseason that they feel will put them over the top. Gary Sheffield, unhappy in New York, was acquired through a trade and will primarily serve as the designated hitter. The sometimes difficult Sheffield has approved of not playing defense everyday and is set for an improved season after getting away from the Evil Empire. Not playing right field everyday will keep him healthy, and he’s a lock to produce in the middle of the order.

Around the horn, the Tigers have great character guys. First baseman Sean Casey was acquired after Chris Shelton’s great start went up in flames. The complaint about Casey has always been hi lack of power, but he has more heart than anyone and hit .529 in the World Series. Placido Polanco has found a home in Detroit; he plays great defense and is ideal for the two-hole in the order. Leyland has been quoted that he will make a great manager some day because of his extensive knowledge of the game.

Shortstop Carlos Guillen is no Omar Vizquel in the field, but his bat is critical to the Tigers’ success. Some feel he is a better fit as an everyday first baseman, but for now he’s at shortstop and set for a season similar to 2006 (.320, 19 HR, 85 RBI, 20 stolen bases). Brandon Inge has gotten better every season and is an above-average hitter from the ninth spot in the order; his defense is also above-average as well, despite not having all that much experience at the hot corner.