The Tigers finished in third place in the American League East with a record of 79–83 (.488), an improvement of 26 games over the previous season.
To make room for the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team moved from the AL East to the AL Central.
On July 27, 1997, the Detroit Tigers retired pitcher Hal Newhouser's number 16.
Infielders Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.
= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts [3]