Brandon Inge
Brandon Charles Inge (born May 19, 1977) is a former American baseball player who spent most of his career as a third baseman and catcher. He batted and threw right-handed. Inge played 12 seasons with the Detroit Tigers (2001–2012), one season with the Oakland Athletics (2012), and one with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2013). His career MLB stats include a .233 batting average, 152 home runs, and 648 runs batted in. He was an All-Star in 2009.
After his playing days, Inge became a coach. He is a volunteer assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team and an assistant coach for the Brighton High School varsity baseball team, both in Michigan.
Early life and path to the majors: Inge was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and went to Brookville High School, where he played baseball and American Legion ball. He was named the 2010 Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year. He played college baseball at Virginia Commonwealth University as a shortstop and relief pitcher. In 1997, he played summer baseball for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League and was named a league all-star. The Detroit Tigers drafted him in the second round of the 1998 MLB draft.
Minor leagues and position shift: Inge began in the Tigers’ farm system as a shortstop and later moved to catcher. He played for the Jamestown Jammers, West Michigan Whitecaps, Jacksonville Suns, and Toledo Mud Hens, showing versatility and steady improvement at the plate.
MLB career spotlight: He made his major league debut on opening day in 2001 as Detroit’s catcher. After a shoulder injury in June, he spent time in rehab and returned later that season. Because of the signing of Iván Rodríguez, Inge moved around the field at times—outfield, catcher, and third base—and found his footing at third base.
Peak years and All-Star moment: In 2004 he contributed as an infielder/outfielder and catcher, hitting .287 with 13 home runs. In 2005 he started 159 games at third base. In 2006 he set a Tigers single-season record with 398 assists at third base, while finishing strong with 27 home runs in the first half and a season total of 27 home runs. He earned a spot in the 2009 All-Star Game after a record number of Final Vote ballots and even participated in the Home Run Derby, though he did not hit any home runs there. He played 161 games in 2009, with 84 RBIs.
Injuries and later years: Inge underwent knee surgery after the 2009 season but recovered to play in 2010. That year he collected his 1,000th career hit and set the Tigers’ franchise record for strikeouts with 1,100. He won the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for his on-field play and community work. In 2011 he battled mononucleosis and batted .177 in 239 plate appearances, and he lost his starting job in 2012 after Detroit signed Prince Fielder and moved Miguel Cabrera back to third. He was released by Detroit in April 2012, then signed with the Oakland Athletics.
Final seasons and farewell: With Oakland in 2012, he hit a grand slam against his former team, but shoulder issues ended his season. In 2013 he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he was limited to 50 games and was released in July. He later settled in Michigan.
Personal notes: Inge lives in Michigan and has two forearm tattoos with the names of his sons, Chase and Tyler.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 10:19 (CET).