Lou Whitaker

A timeline...

Born: May 12, 1957

Debut: September 9, 1977

1978: Won Rookie of the Year

1983: Appeared in episode of Magnum P.I. with Alan Trammell

1983: Lou’s best season (.320, 12, 72, 94 runs, .380 OBP, .837 OPS)

1984: Tigers win World Series

1985: Cleared the Tiger Stadium roof with a homer

1985: Whitaker forgot his jersey for the ASG. He bought a replica and used a magic marker to fill in the #1 on the back. It currently resides in the Smithsonian.

1986: Homered in All Star Game

1986: Entire Tiger infield hit 20 homers

1987: Tigers win AL East (Lose ALCS to Minnesota)

1989: Hit career best 28 homers with 85 RBI

1992: 2000^th hit

1992: 200^th homer

1995: Whitaker and Trammell become longest running double play combination in history

1995: Retired

2001: Removed from HOF consideration after garnering 2.9% of the vote. 5% was needed to remain on the ballot.

2015: Eligible for review for HOF candidacy

Accomplishments:
1984 World Champion

1978 ROY

5x All Star

4x Silver Slugger

3x Gold Glove

.276 career average

Hit .300+: 2x

Led league in games played (109) in 1981

100+ Runs: 2x

1386 career runs scored

2369 career hits

206 hits (1983)

420 doubles

30+ doubles: 3x

40 doubles (1983)

244 home runs

20+ home runs: 4x

1084 RBI

20 steals (1979)

1197 walks-1099 strikeouts

.363 career OBP

.412 OBP (1993)

.518 slugging (1995)

Postseason: .204 with 1 HR and 1 RBI (2 postseasons)

The Greatest Detroit Tigers Second Basemen

1. Charlie Gehringer (1924-1942): HOF, 1937 MVP, 1937 Batting Champ, All Star, 2800 hits, 1935 World Champion


2. Lou Whitaker (1977-95): All-Star, 1978 ROY, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, 1984 World Champion

3. Placido Polanco (2005-09): All-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, 2006 ALCS MVP, .300 hitter, record errorless streak

4. Dick McAuliffe (1960-73): All-Star, 1968 World Champion

5. Eddie Mayo (1944-48): 1945 World Champion, MVP Candidate

6. Jerry Priddy (1950-53): Led league in games played 1950 and 1951

7. Frank Bolling (1954-60): Gold Glove

8. Damion Easley (1996-2002): All-Star, Silver Slugger, 100 RBI in 1998

9. Ralph Young (1915-21)

10. Jake Wood (1961-66): Led the league in 3bs in 1961