J.D. Martinez named Tiger of the Year

The Detroit Tigers didn't have a good season.

But J.D. Martinez definitely did.

The rightfielder was named Tiger of the Year today by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Martinez hit .282 with 38 home runs, 102 RBIs and an .879 OPS, which rank among in the American League's top 10 in the latter three categories. He led the Tigers in homers and RBIs and trailed only Miguel Cabrera in OPS.

On defense, Martinez was a finalist for the Gold Glove in rightfield, but was edged by the Los Angeles Angels' Kole Calhoun. Martinez posted four defensive runs saved and a 7.7 UZR (ultimate zone rating).

Martinez earned 19 of 22 first-place votes for the Tiger of the Year honor. Cabrera earned two first-place votes and Ian Kinsler earned one.

Victor Martinez won Tiger of the Year last year. Cabrera won it in 2012 and 2013.

All-time recipients of the Tiger of the Year Award:

1965 - Don Wert

1966 - Al Kaline

1967 - Bill Freehan

1968 - Denny McLain

1969 - Denny McLain

1970 - Tom Timmerman

1971 - Mickey Lolich

1972 - Ed Brinkman

1973 - John Hiller

1974 - Al Kaline

1975 - Willie Horton

1976 - Mark Fidrych

1977 - Ron LeFlore

1978 - Ron LeFlore

1979 - Steve Kemp

1980 - Alan Trammell

1981 - Kirk Gibson

1982 - Lance Parrish

1983 - Lou Whitaker

1984 - Willie Hernandez

1985 - Darrell Evans

1986 - Jack Morris

1987 - Alan Trammell

1988 - Alan Trammell

1989 - Lou Whitaker

1990 - Cecil Fielder

1991 - Cecil Fielder

1992 - Cecil Fielder

1993 - Tony Phillips

1994 - Kirk Gibson

1995 - Travis Fryman

1996 - Travis Fryman

1997 - Tony Clark and Bobby Higginson (tie)

1998 - Damion Easley

1999 - Dean Palmer

2000 - Bobby Higginson

2001 - Steve Sparks

2002 - Randall Simon

2003 - Dmitri Young

2004 - Ivan Rodriguez

2005 - Placido Polanco

2006 - Carlos Guillen

2007 - Magglio Ordonez

2008 - Miguel Cabrera

2009 - Justin Verlander

2010 - Miguel Cabrera

2011 - Justin Verlander

2012 - Miguel Cabrera

2013 - Miguel Cabrera

2014 - Victor Martinez

2015 - J.D. Martinez

Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!