A Michigan native, Hal Newhouser’s dream was to pitch for the Detroit Tigers. “Prince Hal” would spend 15 of 17 seasons with his hometown team, winning 207 games and back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards in 1944 and 1945. The left-handed pitcher punished batters throughout the 1940s, leading the major leagues in wins, complete games, shutouts, innings and strikeouts during the decade. Newhouser helped Detroit win the 1945 World Series, earning two victories, including the decisive Game Seven. “He’s not the gentlest character out there,” said former batterymate Birdie Tebbetts, “but he wants to win. I know a lot of pleasant guys who never win.”