Lou Whitaker
Louis Rodman Whitaker, Jr. (born May 12, 1957 in New York City) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and left-handed batter who played his entire career in the American League for the Detroit Tigers (1977-1995).
Whitaker was a solid second baseman. He had a good range, powerful arm, and hability at turning the double play. His one weakness was a virtual refusal to go back on putouts to the outfield. He teamed with shortstop Alan Trammell since 1977 when both players were at Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, to form with Detroit one of the best shortstop-second baseman combination in MLB history. He was also a competent leadoff batter with a great ability to recognize pitches, good contact and some power. On the bases, he had fine speed and good instincts.
In 1978, Whitaker won AL Rookie of the Year honors after hit .285 with 71 runs, and a respectable .361 on base percentage for a 21-years old. In his sophomore season he hit .286 with 20 stolen bases, 75 runs, and drew 78 base on balls for a .395 OBP.
Whitaker enjoyed his best season in 1983, when he batted .320 with 12 home runs, 72 runs batted in, 94 runs, 206 hits, and a .380 OBP. In 1984 Whitaker reached base to lead off six of the Tigers eight post-season games, scoring five times in the first inning, in the route to the World Series Championship.
With maturity, Whitaker improved his power. In 1985 he set a record for Detroit second basemen with 21 home runs and was part of the all-20-homer infield in 1986. He reached several highs-career in 1992 when he recorded both his 2,000th hit and 200th home run. Whitaker also recorded his 1,000th career walk, while remaining under 1,000 strikeouts. A very patient hitter, in that season he set up continuous RBI opportunities for Trammel, Cecil Fielder, Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish. After an injury-riddled 1988 season, Whitaker hit a career-best 28 homers in 1989, one of four times he reached the 20-HR plateau.
In his 19-years career, Whitaker batted .276 with 244 home runs, 1084 RBI, 1386 runs, 2369 hits, 420 doubles, 65 triples, and 143 stolen bases in 2390 games. He also recorded an outstanding walks-to-strikeout ratio of 1197 to 1099.
Highlights
- 5-time All-Star (1983-87)
- 3-time Gold Glove (1983-85)
- Rookie of the Year (1978)
- Top 10 MVP award (8, 1983)
- Set Detroit record for home runs by a second baseman
- Twice hit two home runs over Tigers Stadium roof (1985)
- Hit a 3-run homer and a grand slam in a single game with a high-career seven RBI (1994)
- Along with teammate Alan Trammell tied a AL record playing together (1,914 games; August 30, 1995)
- Between 1983-84 the Trammell-Whitaker duo won twice Gold Glove, joining a select list of eight shortstop-second baseman duos have won the honor in the same season while playing together
See also
