Ruth and Gehrig. Brett and White. Mays and McCovey. There have been so many great pairs of teammates in baseball history. But none of them played together as long or as often as Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, who began their HoF-worthy careers in the same game 42 years ago this week. Mike and Bill…
This Week we cover August 26 – Sept 1 . . . We are going to talk Tom Yawkey, Jackie Robinson, Jeff Bagwell, The First Televised Game, Rob Dibble, The Rat and Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell. TRIVIA – Who was the first black/African American player in Major League Baseball History? On August 26, 1939…
VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia Lou Whitaker Position: Second BasemanBats: Left • Throws: Right5-11, 160lb (180cm, 72kg)Born: Sunday, May 12, 1957 in Brooklyn, NY USADebut: September 9, 1977 (13,972nd in major league history)vs. BOS 5 AB, 3 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SBLast Game: October 1, 1995 (13,972nd in major league history)vs. BOS 5 AB, 3 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI,…
Mike Trout (.326, 30, 83), the BBWAA’s unanimous selection as the Rookie of the Year, surpasses Lou Whitaker (1978 Tigers) by three months and five days to become the youngest American League player to be honored with the award. The 21 year-old Angel center fielder joins Evan Longoria (2008 Rays), Nomar Garciaparra (1997 Red Sox), Derek Jeter (1996 Yankees), Tim Salmon (1993 Angels), Sandy Alomar Jr. (1990 Indians), Mark McGwire (1987 A’s), and Carlton Fisk (1972 Red Sox) as the only other unanimous AL winners.
Tiger second baseman Lou Whitaker and shortstop Alan Trammell, appearing in the same game for the 1,915th time, set an American League record for joint appearances. The Detroit middle infielders surpass the mark established in 1990 by Royals’ teammates George Brett and Frank White.
After Detroit wins the opener, 6 – 5, game two starts off with Detroit’s first two hitters – Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell – belting homers off Cleveland’s Jose Roman. It is the third time in a month this has occurred. Whitaker hits another as Detroit wins the shootout, 11 – 9.
1984 – The American League Gold Glove team is announced, and it is made up of the same nine players as the 1983 team: catcher Lance Parrish, first baseman Eddie Murray, second baseman Lou Whitaker, third baseman Buddy Bell, shortstop Alan Trammell, outfielders Dwight Evans, Dave Winfield and Dwayne Murphy, and pitcher Ron Guidry.
At Minnesota, Detroit tops the Twins, 5 – 3, when Lou Whitaker bloops an inside-the-park homer to win it. Detroit sends it to extra innings when RF Kirk Gibson throws out Tim Teufel at home with two out in the 9th. Willie Hernandez (5-0) is the winner.
Down 4 – 1 with two outs in the 9th, the visiting Tigers score six runs to beat the Rangers, 7 – 4. Lou Whitaker’s bases-loaded single scores two, Alan Trammell’s single scores another, and Kirk Gibson seals it with a three-run shot down the right field line. Charlie Hough is the loser, while reliever Aurelio Lopez’s record goes up to 7-0.
VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia On June 10, 1984 At Memorial Stadium, the Tigers sweep two from the Orioles‚ winning 10 – 4 and 8 – 0‚ before 51‚764 fans. Kirk Gibson has six hits and six RBIs in the two games‚ while Alan Trammell and Howard Johnson each have 5 hits. Lou…