High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1945 Detroit Tigers was the team`s 45th since they entered the American League in 1901. The team won the American League pennant, then went on to win the 1945 World Series, defeating the Chicago Cubs 4 games to 3. It was the second World Series championship for the Tigers. Detroit pitcher Hal Newhouser was named the American League`s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season.