It really was a memorable run in Detroit for Alex Lange — one that deserves more than a stat line and a footnote.
When Lange arrived with the Tigers, expectations were modest. He wasn’t billed as a franchise savior or a ninth-inning superstar. What he became instead was something Detroit fans quietly value: reliable, gritty, and unapologetically himself.
Over five seasons, Lange carved out a role in a bullpen that was often asked to do more with less. Across 184.2 innings, he posted a 3.70 ERA and a 113 ERA+, numbers that don’t scream dominance but tell a deeper story — consistency in high-leverage chaos. Night after night, Lange took the ball when the game was tight and the margin for error was razor-thin.
The peak came in 2023, when he locked down 26 saves, embracing the closer’s burden with a calm that felt almost defiant. While the Tigers searched for identity, Lange gave them certainty at the back end. When the bullpen gate opened, Detroit knew exactly what it was getting.
And then there was the turtleneck.
What started as a cold-weather choice turned into a symbol — part superstition, part swagger. It made Lange instantly recognizable, a rare bullpen arm with an unmistakable look. Fans embraced it because it fit him perfectly: understated, slightly unconventional, and stubbornly confident.
But beyond the saves and the style, Lange represented something else — perseverance. He battled command issues. He fought through rough stretches. He adjusted. He stayed. And when the Tigers needed outs, he answered.
Now, as his time in Detroit comes to an end, it doesn’t feel like a dramatic goodbye. It feels like the close of a chapter that mattered more than people realized at the time.
No parades.
No headlines screaming legacy.
Just respect.
Alex Lange gave Detroit five solid years, a closer season to remember, and a reminder that not every important player arrives with fanfare — some earn their place one inning at a time.
And yes, the turtleneck will be missed.