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7. Lou Whitaker

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7.  Lou Whitaker
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: May 12, 1957 in Brooklyn, NY USA
  • Weight: 160 lbs.
  • Height: 5'11"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 09, 1977
  • Final Game: October 01, 1995
  • Rookie of the Year - 1978
  • Gold Glove - 1983
  • Silver Slugger - 1983
  • TSN All-Star - 1983
  • Gold Glove - 1984
  • Silver Slugger - 1984
  • TSN All-Star - 1984
  • Gold Glove - 1985
  • Silver Slugger - 1985
  • Silver Slugger - 1987
  • MVP - 1983
  • Rookie of the Year - 1978
 
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Playing with Alan Trammell for virtually his entire career, Lou Whitaker was one half of the longest running double play combination in Baseball history.  Like Trammell, Whitaker was a great player with both bat and glove and a big part of Detroit’s World Series win in 1984.

Whitaker was one of the top Second Basemen of his era, yet he did not receive the same respect or notoriety as others.  He won the American League Rookie of the Year in 1978 and though he did not live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him, records show that he was a very consistent performer and though he was not among the league leaders in offensive categories, he was a very capable producer and easily one of the top ones at his position.

The criticism of Lou Whitaker stems from the fact it looked so easy for him.  Everything he did had such a beautiful flow to it; he often looked like he wasn’t giving it all on the field.  He was also a quiet individual and was atypical of the boisterous athlete that people would expect.  As such, he did not draw a huge amount of attention to himself and preferred it that way.  When Whitaker did not get past the first year of Hall of Fame voting (which he should have), he didn’t complain.  He simply said that if he didn’t make it the first time, don’t bring his name back up”.  This type of humility just makes you like “Sweet Lou” even more.

Should Lou Whitaker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 87.2%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 1.4%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Monday, 01 January 2001
  • Position: Second Base
  • Played For: Detroit Tigers
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (1) (Detroit Tigers, 1984)
    Rookie of the Year (AL) (1978)
    All-Star (5) (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 & 1987)
    Gold Glove (3) (AL) (1983, 1984 & 1985)
    Silver Slugger (4) (AL) (1983, 1984, 1985 & 1987)
    Most Putouts by a Second Baseman (1) (AL) (1989) 
    Most Assists by a Second Baseman (2) (AL) (1981 & 1982) 
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Second Baseman (1) (AL) (1982)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Second Baseman (2) (AL) (1981 & 1982)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Second Baseman (2) (AL) (1982 & 1991)   
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (AL: 1983, 8th)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    4 Top Ten Finished (Offensive bWAR)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Batting Average)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Most Hits)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Bases)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Home Runs)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Singles)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probabilty Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 4.     Double Plays Turned by a Second Baseman: 1,527
    6.     Assists by a Second Baseman: 6,653
    9.     Total Zone Runs by a Second Baseman: 77  
    11.   Putouts by a Second Baseman: 4,771
    21.   Assists: 6,653
    52.   bWAR for Position Players: 74.9
    62.   Fielding Percentage by a Second Baseman: .984
    63.   Walks: 1,197
    64.   Sacrifice Flies: 91
    69.   Offensive bWAR: 67.7
    89.   Plate Appearances: 9,967
    91.   Outs Made: 6,599
    92.   Games Played: 2,390
    98.   Defensive WAR: 16.3
    100. Runs Scored: 1,386
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 2001: 2.9
  • Should be Inducted As A: Detroit Tiger

Should Lou Whitaker be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 87.2%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 1.4%

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