Long known for their power hitters, the Detroit Tigers have also been known over the years to place little emphasis on base stealing.
So it goes that the 2012 season has started in typical Tigers fashion.
Nineteen games into the season, as they started a weekend series at Yankee Stadium, the Tigers of manager Jim Leyland (above with Joe Torre) were tied for last place in the major leagues in stolen bases with four. The New York Mets also had four.
In 2011, the Tigers were last in the majors in steals with 49. (But the team that finished one spot ahead of them, the St. Louis Cardinals, did OK as they won the World Series.)
In 2010, the Tigers were 24th in the big leagues in steals.
In 2008 and 2009, the Tigers were last in the American League.
The Tigers' best year for steals in the last five was 2007. As Curtis Granderson stole 26 bags and Gary Sheffield 22, the Tigers were sixth in the A.L.