Why Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker Should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Strictly by the Numbers

One could argue that simply by compiling a combined 2819 double plays with only 424 combined errors over 19 years together with the Tigers more than qualifies Detroit’s dynamic duo for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

However, the Baseball Writers Association of America’s members consistently tell us that certain players do not have the numbers to justify enshrining them into Cooperstown.  Let’s take a look at the greatest double play combination in baseball history strictly by the numbers:

There are 21 shortstops in Cooperstown and 18 second basemen.  These are two extremely exclusive fraternities. 

Batting Average: Alan Trammell has a career batting average of .285, better than 11 Hall of Fame shortstops and tied with a 12^th, Robin Yount.    Lou Whitaker has a career batting average of .276, better than 4 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Hits: Alan Trammell has 2365 career hits, better than 12 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker has 2369 career hits, better than 8 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Home Runs: Alan Trammell has 185 career home runs, better than 17 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker has 244 career home runs, better than 15 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Runs Batted In: Alan Trammell has1003 career RBIs, better than 12 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker has 1084 career RBIs, better than 9 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Are you beginning to notice a pattern here?

Runs: Alan Trammell scored 1231 career runs, better than 9 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker scored 1386 career runs, better than 9 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Stolen Bases: Alan Trammell stole 236 career bases, better than 11 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker stole 143 career bases, better than 6 Hall of Fame second basemen.

On Base Percentage: Alan Trammell has a career OBP of .352, better than 11 Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker has a career OBP of .363, better than 7 Hall of Fame second basemen. 

Slugging Percentage: Alan Trammell has a career slugging percentage of .415, which is a higher slugging percentage than all Hall of Fame shortstops.  Lou Whitaker has a career slugging percentage of .436, better than 10 Hall of Fame second basemen.

Strictly by the numbers Detroit’s all-time leading keystone combination have better offensive numbers than current Hall of Fame players at their perspective positions in all eight major offensive categories.  Maybe it’s the intangibles perhaps.  Let’s take a look:

Alan Trammell has a career .977 fielding percentage.  That is only 1 percentage point behind Ozzie Smith, who is considered by many to be the best fielding shortstop of all time. 

Lou Whitaker has a career .984 fielding percentage, which is the same fielding percentage as Hall of Fame second basemen Roberto Alomar and Nellie Fox.  Ryan Sandberg has the highest fielding percentage .989, among Hall of Fame second basemen.

Whitaker and Trammell were the foundation for the 1984 World Series Champion, Detroit Tigers.

Alan Trammell:

·        1984 World Series MVP

·        6 time American League All Star

·        4 Gold Gloves

·        3 time Silver Slugger

·        Received American League MVP votes 7 times

Lou Whitaker

·        1978 American League Rookie of the Year

·        5 time American League All Star

·        4 time Silver Slugger

·        3 Gold Gloves

·        Received American League MVP votes in 1983

Whatever criteria you consider, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker are among the best at their positions in Major League Baseball history.  This begs the question; what criteria is the Baseball Writers Association of America using?  Why are these two Tiger greats not already in the National Baseball Hall of Fame?  Why did Lou Whitaker not receive the 5% of votes necessary to remain eligible for Cooperstown after his first year of eligibility?  Strictly by the numbers and any other possible consideration, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

What would be most fitting is if they entered the Hall of Fame together.  Strictly by the numbers, in Detroit #1 and #3 just go together.  As Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell would say, “Two for the price of one!”

Click Here if you believe that Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker belong in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.