Lou Whitaker
| Birthdate | 05/12/1957 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1977 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Tigers |
| Positions | Designated Hitter, Second Base |
Former Rookie of the Year, Lou Whitaker teamed with Alan Trammell from 1978-95 to form the longest running double-play combo in MLB history.
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Many believe Lou Whitaker's omission from Cooperstown is an egregious error
Many believe Lou Whitaker's omission from Cooperstown is an egregious error
Lou Whitaker had a 19-year big league career that many believe is worthy of Cooperstown. The second baseman thrived from the start, winning the 1978 AL Rookie of the Year Award. In receiving 21 of the 28 first-place votes, he outpaced future Hall of Famer Paul Molitor as well as his Tiger double play partner Alan Trammell.
From 1982-1989, Whitaker made five All Star appearances and earned three Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards. He produced outstanding numbers during that 8-year run, averaging 4.7 WAR per season while posting an OPS+ of 119. Those numbers stack up well against other men at his position.
His most memorable year came in 1984 when Whitaker and the Tigers captured the World Series title. Detroit started 9-0 in 1984, raced out to a 35-5 record, and led wire-to-wire on their way to the World Championship season. The day his Tigers clinched the Series the second oldest of Whitaker’s four daughters was born.
Whitaker aged particularly well. In his age-33 season of 1990 through the end of his career in 1995, Whitaker’s slash line was .277/.379/.464. That compares favorably to career numbers of .276/.363/.426.
Whitaker retired with 2,369 hits, 1,084 RBI, and 1,386 runs scored. His career WAR of 75.1 is higher than Cooperstown second basemen Roberto Alomar, Craig Biggio, Tony Lazzeri, Nellie Fox and others.
In the collection is this index card signed by Whitaker from early in his career. He has added the inscription, “Detroit Tigers Montgomery Rebels Southern League Double A Second Base”.
Whitaker played for 107 games for Montgomery in 1977, the year before he broke into the major leagues.
Whitaker's 1984 Detroit Tigers boast the best 40-game start in big league history
Whitaker's 1984 Detroit Tigers boast the best 40-game start in big league history
The 1984 Tigers won their first nine games and never looked back. Forty games into the season Detroit had 35 wins against 5 losses. That remains the the best start in MLB history.
The Bengals dominated the AL East wire-to-wire, outpacing the second-place Toronto Blue Jays by 15 games. Detroit continued its winning ways in the postseason, sweeping the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. In the World Series, it took just five games for the Tigers to brush aside the NL champion Padres to earn the title.
Shown here is a questionnaire filled out and signed by the catcher for the 1984 Detroit club, Lance Parrish. At the bottom he’s asked about the most memorable moments of his career.
Parrish writes, “Nothing in my career compares to 1984. Starting the season 35-5, sweeping the Royals in the playoffs & beating the Padres in the World Series. There is nothing like winning.”
In 1986 each Tiger infielder - Evans, Whitaker, Trammell Coles, and Parrish - hit 20+ homers
In 1986 each Tiger infielder - Evans, Whitaker, Trammell Coles, and Parrish - hit 20+ homers
The 1986 Tiger infield slugged its way into baseball history. Catcher Lance Parrish, first baseman Darrell Evans, shortstop Alan Trammel, third baseman Darnell Coles, and Whitaker each hit at least 20 home runs.
It remains the only time in baseball history an infield has accomplished the feat. Evans led the team with 29 home runs. Parrish had 22, Trammell 21 with both Coles and Trammell at exactly 20. Two years removed from their World Series title, the Tigers were still a formidable force.
In the collection is an autographed 1986 Lou Whitaker Topps baseball card.
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker played together in Detroit from 1977-1995
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker played together in Detroit from 1977-1995
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker were Detroit mainstays for almost two decades. The Motown combo debuted together on September 9, 1977. Their final game together came 18 years later on October 1, 1995.
With Tram at shortstop and Sweet Lou at second base, the Tigers struck gold. During their time together the pair combined for 11 All Star selections, seven Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Statistically their totals from ’77-’95 come in with 4,689 hits, 429 homers, 2071 RBI, 373 stolen bases, and 146.8 WAR.
Tiger fans loved the middle-infield mates.
Shown here is a Topps rookie card of Alan Trammell. It is signed by all four players, Mickey Klutts, Paul Molitor, Trammell, and U.L. Washington.
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker are the longest-standing double-play combo in MLB history
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker are the longest-standing double-play combo in MLB history
Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker played 1,918 games together as the longest-standing double-lay duo in baseball history. Both men spent their entire careers with the Tigers.
Among teammates at any position, the Detroit duo hold the American League appearances for most games together. On September 13, 1995 they played in their 1,915th game together to pass Kansas City men George Brett and Frank White.
The major league record is held by Houston’s Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell who appeared in 2,020 contests side by side. The Cubs Cooperstown pair of Billy Williams and Ron Santo hold the second spot with 2,012 games together.
Shown here is a ticket to the game when Trammell and Whitaker set the AL mark. Whitaker signed the it and added the inscription “1,915 games with Tram”.
Lou Whittaker needs to be inducted into the baseball hall of fame now
Lou Whitaker belongs in the Hall of Fame . Numbers don’t lie and Lou Whitaker has better numbers than several others at 2b who are already in Cooperstown .
Is Alan Tramell in the hall? Cause if so “Whit” should be in there pretty soon