Tigers Edge Guardians 6-3 in AL Wild Card Game 3, Advance to ALDS

The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball organization based in Detroit, Michigan, with a rich history dating back to 1894. Initially part of the Western League, they became one of the eight charter members of the American League in 1901, making them the oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise in the league[1][3][7]. ## History and Achievements The Tigers have experienced significant milestones throughout their history. Ty Cobb, one of baseball's greatest players, joined the team in 1905 and became a defining figure for the franchise[1][5]. The Tigers won their first World Series in 1935, defeating the Chicago Cubs, and have since won three more championships, including titles in 1945 and 1968[2][4]. Their most recent championship was in 1984 against the San Diego Padres[6]. ## Current Status Currently, the Tigers continue to compete in Major League Baseball, playing their home games at Comerica Park. While they have not won a World Series since 1984, they remain a beloved part of Detroit's sports landscape. ## Notable Aspects - **Stadium and Fanbase**: The Tigers moved from Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park in 2000, offering fans a modern baseball experience with a nostalgic feel. - **Community Engagement**: The organization is involved in various community initiatives, focusing on youth baseball development and local charity support. - **Technological Integration**: Like many sports teams, the Tigers have embraced technology to enhance fan engagement through digital platforms and analytics to improve team performance. While the Detroit Tigers are primarily a sports organization, their commitment to community and technology reflects broader trends in business and technology, making them an interesting case study for those interested in how sports franchises adapt and innovate.

The **Cleveland Guardians** is a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The organization competes in the American League (AL) Central Division and has a rich history dating back to 1901. Initially known by various names such as the Blues, Broncos, and Naps, the team was officially named the Indians in 1915, a name it retained until 2021. The team's current name, the Guardians, was chosen in 2021 to honor the iconic *Guardians of Traffic* statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge near their home stadium, Progressive Field. ### History and Achievements - **Founding**: The team has its roots as a minor league club in Columbus, Ohio, and later moved to Cleveland in 1900. It became one of the eight charter franchises of the American League when it declared itself a major league in 1901[1][2]. - **World Series Championships**: The Guardians have won two World Series titles, in 1920 and 1948, with their championship drought since 1948 being the longest among all MLB teams[1][2]. - **Division Titles**: They have secured 13 Central Division titles and six American League pennants[1]. ### Current Status - **Operations**: The team offers a variety of ticketing options, merchandise sales, and community programs. They engage fans through events at Progressive Field and their spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona[3]. - **Revenue**: The organization is a significant player in the sports industry, contributing to local economic activity and engaging a large fan base[5]. ### Notable Aspects - **Name Change**: The team's name change from Indians to Guardians in 2021 was a response to decades of protests against Native American-related nicknames[2]. - **Facilities**: The Guardians play home games at Progressive Field and conduct spring training at Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona[1]. - **

ESPN, originally the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is a dominant American sports media corporation headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut. Founded in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen, Scott Rasmussen, and Ed Eagan, ESPN pioneered the concept of a 24-hour all-sports cable network, quickly establishing itself as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." Today, ESPN is owned 80% by The Walt Disney Company and 20% by Hearst Communications, operating as ESPN Inc. The organization broadcasts from its main studios in Bristol, with additional offices and studios across the U.S., and reaches audiences globally through 64 linear networks and digital platforms in 141 countries. ESPN’s rise was fueled by securing broadcast rights to major professional and collegiate sports, making it a household name. At its peak in 2011, ESPN reached over 100 million U.S. pay TV households, though that number has since declined to about 70 million as viewership shifts toward digital platforms. ESPN’s portfolio now includes seven U.S. cable networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network), ESPN on ABC, ESPN Radio, and a robust digital presence via ESPN.com, the ESPN App, and ESPN Fantasy Sports. A key achievement in recent years is the launch of ESPN+, its direct-to-consumer streaming service introduced in 2018, which has expanded to include thousands of live events and original programming. In August 2025, ESPN launched a new flagship direct-to-consumer product, offering two subscription tiers—ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select—providing access to all ESPN networks and exclusive content. This move reflects ESPN’s strategic pivot to adapt to changing media consumption habits, including partnerships with entities like WWE for premium live events. Despite facing challenges such as rising broadcast costs and criticism over coverage biases, ESPN remains a major force in sports media,

The **Seattle Mariners** are a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Seattle, Washington, competing in the American League (AL) West Division. Established as an expansion team in 1977, the Mariners initially played at the Kingdome before moving to their current home, T-Mobile Park, in 1999[1][3]. The team’s name reflects Seattle’s strong maritime heritage, and their colors—navy blue, northwest green (teal), and silver—have evolved since inception, symbolizing the Pacific Northwest[1]. The Mariners’ early years were challenging, marked by frequent losing seasons and instability. Notably, Seattle’s first major league team, the Seattle Pilots, only lasted one season (1969) before relocating due to financial troubles, which led to a lawsuit that eventually secured Seattle a new franchise—the Mariners—in the late 1970s[4][9]. The franchise struggled through the 1980s, but the late 1980s and 1990s saw a transformation driven by drafting and acquiring key players such as Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Jay Buhner, and Randy Johnson[6][9]. Seattle’s peak success came in the mid-1990s. The Mariners clinched their first playoff berth and division title in 1995, highlighted by Edgar Martínez’s iconic walk-off double against the New York Yankees that preserved baseball in Seattle[1][6]. They won a second division title in 1997 and returned to the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, with the latter season setting an American League record of 116 wins. Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki joined in 2001, further elevating the team’s profile[1][8]. However, the Mariners have struggled with postseason success, enduring a prolonged playoff drought from 2002 through the late 2010s, despite occasional bursts of competitive play. The team faced management and payroll challenge