The Detroit Tigers are an United States professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) American League Central division. One of the ALs eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit as a member of the minor league Western League (1885–1899) in 1894. They are the oldest continuous one name, one city franchise in the AL. The Tigers have won four World Series championships (, , , and ), 11 List of American League pennant winners (1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984 American League Championship Series, 2006 American League Championship Series, 2012 American League Championship Series), and four AL Central division championships (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014). The Tigers also won division titles in 1972, 1984, and 1987 as a member of the American League East. The team currently plays its home games at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit.
Question: How many years were the Tigers a minor league team before becoming a member of the American League?
Answer: 4