If you’re like me, the Old English D represents many things; toughness, the Detroit Tigers, and it represents the motor city as a whole. In a recent episode of Detroit Tigers weekly, Justin White and Ryan Field explained the history of the Detroit Tigers organization’s link with the Old English D.
The Old English D was first spotted on the 1904 Tigers’ road uniforms. One year later, it was adopted on the home uniforms as well. Since 1904, 25 different “Ds” were used on the home and away uniforms before finally settling on the current home “D” during the 1961 season. Even the baseball caps underwent many changes with the “D.” 29 to be exact. The Tigers’ hats finally settled on the “D” that it currently uses in the season of 1968 when the Tigers won the World Series. But check this out…
THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT “Ds” BEING USED? As a Detroit Tigers fan, AND a graphic designer, I was ashamed at myself for never noticing it. But Now every time I go into a sports store, or am watching the Tigers on TV, all I see is the subtle difference in the hats and jerseys. It is kind of a cool out of left field (pun intended) fact to know and spread around to your friends. How many people knew that the Tigers used two different “Ds?”
Although the Tigers use two different ones, the Old English D is still easily recognized around the world, and is is a symbol that Detroit fans from all over rally around. I have worn the famous “D” in numerous states across America, and in several countries outside the U.S., and everywhere I go, people know where I am from and they respect it. For that I am proud to be a Detroiter, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for the city that I was raised to love.