40. Travis Fryman

Travis Fryman arrived in Detroit during the summer of 1990 as the heir apparent to a lineage of legendary infielders, stepping into the void left by aging icons. For eight seasons in the Motor City, he served as the most consistent and reliable offensive threat on the team,

During the 1993 campaign, he evolved into one of the premier offensive infielders in the American League, recording a career-high .300 batting average while clubbing 22 home runs and driving in 97 runs. He demonstrated a specialized ability to drive the ball into the gaps of Tiger Stadium, earning his second of four All-Star selections with the club.

Between 1992 and 1997, Fryman was a statistical standout, averaging nearly 20 home runs a year and serving as a perennial fixture at the mid-summer classic. He possessed a focused intensity that allowed him to transition seamlessly from shortstop to third base, providing the defensive stability required of a veteran leader. Despite the Tigers' struggles in the standings during the mid-nineties, he remained a model of consistency, eventually amassing 1,176 hits and 149 home runs while wearing the Old English “D."

In November 1997, the Tigers sent Fryman to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a deal for Joe Randa and Gabe Alvarez. However, Arizona was an expansion team at the time, and they were essentially using Fryman as a high-value chip to build their roster.