By Mark H. Stowers
The special Cinco de Mayo Celebration evokes other “great Cinco sets” worth celebrating but with a baseball twist. With a history spanning over 30 years, the Northwoods League has provided ample talent to the Major Leagues. The Royal Oak Leprechauns joined the prestigious league in 2024 and four players were drafted last season. The Detroit Tigers have benefited, with several NWL players making their roster after playing in the Northwoods League. Here’s a look at Cinco Northwoods alums with ties to the Detroit Tigers.
More than 350 alumni have made it the bigs, but the FIRST-EVER NWL player to make his MLB debut did so in 1999. None other than right-handed-pitcher Jeff Weaver, a former Dubuque Mud Puppy pitcher. Weaver made his first start for the Detroit Tigers on April 14, 1999, against the Minnesota Twins. Weaver strode the mound from 1999 to 2001 for the Tigers, picking up 39 wins before being traded to the Yankees. Weaver would pitch for the Dodgers, Angels, Mariners and Cardinals, piling up 104 wins and ironically, help the Cardinals beat the Tigers in the 2006 World Series.
After Weaver came other talented NWL-related Tigers. Andy Dirks, a member of the NWL’s Brainerd Blue Thunder in 2006 and 2007 won the ‘Silver Glove’ award in his 1st season with the Blue Thunder and also was named a Post-Season All-Star in 2007. Dirks holds a Northwoods League record after reaching base safely in 52 consecutive games. His 52-game streak broke the previous record of 50 set in 1995. He was called up by the Tigers in 2011 and played parts of three seasons in Detroit. Dirks is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers TV broadcast team. Former Mankato MoonDog Ryan Kreidler made his Major League debut for the Detroit Tigers in 2022.
Curtis Granderson, who in 2001 graced Northwoods League ballparks as a member of the Mankato Mashers, was an American League All Star for the Detroit Tigers. Major League Baseball players bestowed Granderson with their highest honor by voting him as the 2009 Marvin Miller Man of the Year. He also previously served as the face of the Northwoods Foundation.
Max Scherzer, a former La Crosse Logger, has played for the Tigers and won multiple awards, including two World Series – 2019 and 2023. He came to the Tigers via a trade from the Diamondbacks in 2009, and during his five-year tenure in the Motor City, Scherzer made the American League All-Star Team twice and won the 2013 American League Cy Young Award. He also helped the Tigers win four consecutive American League Central titles from 2011 to 2014.
And to add a Seis player to the Cinco List, former Leprechaun Zach McDonald, who was drafted last season and is working his way through the Tigers’ minor league system with his eye on Comerica Park.
The NWL has filled Major League Baseball rosters with top talent and there’s more where that came from. To see the Major Leaguers of tomorrow, today, check out the Royal Oak Leprechaun schedule.
For a complete list of Detroit Tigers NWL alumni over the years, check out https://northwoodsleague.com/?s=Detroit+Tigers.
