Lou Whitaker

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Whitaker's journey began in Brooklyn before his family moved to Martinsville, Virginia, where he attended high school. Drafted by the Tigers in 1975, he bypassed college to play for the Bristol Tigers in the Appalachian League. The nickname "Sweet Lou" emerged during his 1976 season with the Lakeland Tigers of the Class A Florida State League; manager Jim Leyland praised his poise and self-assurance after Whitaker stole five bases in a single game, including three steals of home. That year, he batted .297 with 48 stolen bases and was named league MVP. Following the season, Tigers management converted him from third base to second base under Eddie Brinkman's tutelage. Brinkman later noted Whitaker took to the position immediately as a natural athlete. By 1977, he formed a historic pairing with Alan Trammell in Montgomery, both earning All-Star nods in the Southern League.

In Their Own Story

In September 1977, Whitaker made his major league debut against the Boston Red Sox, going three-for-five with a stolen base and hitting a double off the Green Monster. He played 11 games that season before returning for a full campaign in 1978. Manager Ralph Houk quickly established him as an everyday starter alongside Trammell, praising their "absolutely outstanding defensive ball." By August, Houk declared them "the best I've ever seen for their age," noting their innate ability to turn double plays. Fans at Tiger Stadium began chanting "Loooooooou" when he came to bat, a tradition Whitaker initially mistook for booing. He finished his rookie year with 95 double plays and a .285 average, earning the American League Rookie of the Year Award with 21 of 28 first-place votes, defeating future stars Paul Molitor and Trammell.

Reader's Guide

Whitaker's peak years defined the Tigers' success in the 1980s. In 1983, he enjoyed his finest season, appearing in a career-high 161 games with a .320 batting average and 206 hits. He earned his first of five All-Star selections, hitting a triple as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning at Comiskey Park. That year, he won the Silver Slugger Award, the Gold Glove Award, and the "Tiger of the Year" award with 29 of 44 votes. The following season, Whitaker helped lead the Tigers to a World Series title after an incredible 35–5 start. He hit .289 with 13 home runs in 142 games, scoring six runs in the five-game series against San Diego. In 1985, he set a franchise record for second basemen with 21 home runs and scored 102 runs for the first time. His power surge continued into 1989, when he hit a career-high 28 home runs to repeat as "Tiger of the Year." Throughout his tenure, Whitaker and Trammell played beside each other for 19 seasons, forming the longest-running double play combination in major-league history.

Did You Know?

• In 1985, Whitaker forgot to pack his uniform for the All-Star game and had to scrawl his number on a blank jersey with a magic marker.
• The Smithsonian requested the makeshift All-Star jersey from 1985, and it remains part of their collection today.
• Whitaker was drafted in the fifth round (99th overall) of the 1975 draft but chose to sign rather than attend Ferrum College.
• In 1976 with the Lakeland Tigers, Whitaker stole five bases in a single game, including three steals of home.
• Whitaker and Alan Trammell formed the longest-running double play combination in major-league history, playing together for 19 seasons.