Tigers Card Tuesday... 2020 Tiger of the Year, Jeimer Candelario

Since 1965, the Detroit Chapter of the BBWAA has handed out the "Tiger of the Year," award to the best player on the Tigers.

Starting with 3rd Baseman Don Wert, the list of players earning the TOTY is a who's who of Tigers greats, including Al Kaline, Ron LeFlore, Alan Trammell, Cecil Fielder, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, as my personal favorites, Bill Freehan (1967), and last year's winner, Matthew Boyd.

This year's award goes to Tigers third baseman turned first baseman, Jemier Candelario, who moved from the hot corner, across the diamond, after a season ending injury to starter C.J. Cron.

2018 Topps Detroit Tigers #DT-8 

Jeimer Candelario

This is such a cool card of Jeimer...making a young baseball fan very happy with the autograph of a big league ballplayer! 

Jeimer came alive after a very slow start in 2020, having his best season in the Motor City, batting .297 ( with 52 hits in 55 games!) , cranking out 7 HRs, with 29 RBI.

9️⃣9️⃣1️⃣ Defensively, Jeimer committed just 3 errors in 319 chances at first base, a stellar .991 fielding percentage! 

 

Even if it was just a couple of months, fans and management are certainly hoping that Candelario brings it with him in 2021.

🐯 If the Tigers bring back Cron, or sign another first baseman, Jeimer will head back to third, but if they feel like he can handle a 162 game grind at first, then the Tigers can look for another answer at third base... wouldn't Nolan Arenado look good in the Olde English D! 

Congratulations to Jeimer on a most deserved Tiger of the Year Award! 

Play BALL! 🐯⚾