10) Miguel Cabrera

Miguel has won two MVP awards, 4 batting titles, 10 All-Star appearances and did I mention a Triple Crown. He’s lead the team to 4 division championships and an AL Pennant. One of the best hitters of all time deserve a spot on this list and no doubt he will be higher on this list as his career progresses.

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9) Niklas Lidstrom

The most underrated player in NHL history will not go unrecognized on this list. He has won 4 Stanley Cups and 7 James Norris Memorial Trophies. He is the first European Captain to win a Stanley Cup and the best defensemen in the history of the NHL.

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8) Bobby Layne

After more than 50 years, Layne remains the most raucous and wild character to ever have a major impact on Detroit sports. He basically created the two-minute offense and in an era when the forward pass was still unusual, Layne picked apart opposing teams with his long tosses. He led the Lions to three titles in five years and nearly won another. His trade from the Lions is one of the worst decisions any Detroit team has ever done.

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7) Steve Yzerman

It seemed impossible that an 18-year old could essentially take over an NHL team and become the leader almost immediately, but that’s what Stevie did when he arrived in Detroit. In the middle of his career however he sacrificed his own stats and toned down his game to be more of a team player. As a result, the Red Wings won three Stanley Cup titles and became a dynasty. He brought back winning hockey to Detroit which everyone in this city is grateful for. Now we need him to come back and be GM.

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6) Isiah Thomas

Thomas resurrected the Pistons when he arrived as their #1 pick in 1981. Eventually he shaped the team into back-to-back champions with his determination and leadership. Early in his career was a fantasic scorer who could take over games, but he turned himself into more of a leader and toned down his own need to score points as he guided the team to the top of the NBA. May be the best player under 6’2 to ever play the game.

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5) Joe Louis

He held the world heavyweight championship from 1937 to 1949, and is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Nicknamed the “Brown Bomber”. Louis’ cultural impact was felt well outside the ring. He is widely regarded as the first African American to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II.

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4) Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders is the greatest running back in the history of the NFL. He was a big play waiting to happen, capable of running 80 yards for a touchdown or making a linebacker look ridiculous with a wiggle move. He topped 2,000 yards in a season and retired in the top three all-time in rushing yards.

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3) Al Kaline

Only Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, and Steve Yzerman played more seasons as a Detroit professional than Kaline. Kaline was steady for his 22 years as a Tiger, earning a batting title at the beginging of his career and winning a World Series title as a veteran in 1968. He was the best defensive right fielder in AL history.

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2) Ty Cobb

Cobb spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the last six as the team’s player-manager. Cobb has set 90 MLB records during his career. He still holds several records as of the end of the 2014 season, including the highest career batting average .366 and most career batting titles with 11.

1) Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe was known as “Mr. Hockey” in Hockeytown, he was the greatest goal scorer of his generation while also being one of the toughest players in the NHL, never once backed down from a fight on the ice. He won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in the 1950s, and went to the finals seven more times with Detroit in his 25 years with them. At the age of 44 he scored 100 points, and he played in five decades as a pro.

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