Sweet Lou and Alan Trammell - one of the best double-play duos of all time. I loved the Tigers teams from the 80s - Whitaker, Trammell, Parrish, Chet Lemon, Larry Herndon, Gibson, Parrish, Morris, Petry, Lopez, Bergman, and the old-timer, Sparky... That 35-5 start in '84 was one of the greatest starts ever!
Sweet Lou was humble, consistent and had the greatest rifle to ever play 2nd base with a lot of pop in the day hitting home runs the same as Joe Morgan. No brainer for the HOF!
@@csnide6702 It was great to be a Tigers fan back then . You lived it every day and could not wait until the radio broadcast started . Ernie's voice Welcome to Detroit tigers baseball !!!
I grew up in Detroit admiring the man. So, naturally when I was given the opportunity to work on the field (Law Enforcement), at the last game ever played in the 'Old Tigers Stadium', it was a complete joy. I will never forget how gracious Mr. Whitaker was...constantly returning to the field, to sign autographs of fans, who literally refused to leave the stadium that day. Always polite and very courteous to all. This man WILL be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Thank you. I always admired Sweet Lou and Trammel from afar....then they came and help beat the Padres in the 1984 WS. Bam Bam right off the bat game 1. Great Infield combo. Lou is still underrated as everyone seems to look to promote the next 'big' thing. We already saw it in Whitaker and others of his generation.
I love Sweet Lou! He gave me so many wonderful baseball moments growing up when times were hard. Lets us not forget, he was not only a great player, but he was a great man too! A true Hall of Famer!
Having seen Lou with the Tigers many games myself, and guys like Morgan and Molitor quite a lot too, and then I look at career stats ..... it is just a travesty that Whittaker was not a HOF inductee voted on by the sportswriters. Lou is no politician, or gifted speaker, he was never the guy the writers or broadcasters sought out for post-game interviews, but as a player they should have recognized his ability above all else and voted him in. I certainly hope that this retirement of his number by the Tigers kick-starts a movement that sweeps him into the Cooperstown Baseball HOF via the Veterans Committee vote. He deserves it!
@@johnboehmer6683 Trammel was voted in because Yount and others nominated him from the Veteran's Committee. Class move by Yount. The vote threshold is for the Baseball Writer's ballot.
Congrats “Sweet Looooouuuuuu” on having your number “1” retired. Now we just need to get the travesty of the writers not voting you to the Hall of Fame fixed. Thank you for the many childhood memories.
I am a long time Detroit Tiger fan. I remember when the Tigers made a run at the Yankees back in 1961. They came in behind the Yankees in 2nd place that season. They had a speedy 2nd baseman named Jake Wood who was a big contributor to their success. When I first saw Lou he reminded me a great deal of Jake, but Lou continued to get better every year to the point of HOF greatness by the end of his career. The DP combo of Lou and Alan Trammell if not the best it's right up there in MLB history. I always enjoyed seeing Lou at the plate. A flawless, smooth swing .......and a thing of beauty.
Sweet Lou should be in the hall! Loved watching him growing up, he is my favorite tiger of all time. Also had the absolute pleasure of meeting Lou at a spring training game a few years back. He's a first class act! Just a very nice, real guy.
Loved Whitaker growing up, just for his talent. But he always kind of struck me as aloof, or a jerk, cuz he didn't say or smile much, but I hoped I was wrong. This video showed me I was, very cool to hear him talk for the first time, and he seems like a good guy. Him and Trammell were just a DP machine out there, very mechanical and business-like, it was hard to tell. GREAT video, thank you!
He had so much talent but never tried to play to his full potential. With his swing he should have been a career .320 hitter with close to if not 3000 hits. Instead he perked along at 75% his entire career. A lot of Tiger fans don't realize it. If there's any doubt just look when Whitaker was eligible for selection to the Hall by the player's committee a committee of his peers. They selected Jack Morris and Alan Trammel. Guys like George Brett and Robin Yount never once cheated the game or played lazy they knew what great competitors Alan and Jack were. Fans wanted him and Trammel to go in the HOF as a pair. Well the reason Trammell is in and Whitaker isn't is simple: Trammell worked every day of his career to make himself into a great player while Whitaker settled for being just a good player.
@@ericw3229 Interesting, how do you know this? It's true though, passion for a thing is what separates the winners from the runner ups. The unforgettables from the greats. The Jordans from the Wilkins.
Lou should have gotten the call from Cooperstown years ago . No excuses the players need to correct what the writers refused to do . Now that would be a priceless induction .
When I was a little kid I would go to games with my dad. I will never forget asking him why people were boo’ing that player .. he said” they aren’t boo’ing him they are saying loooooouuuuuuuuuu” the entire stadium hummed his name so loud you could feel it in your seats.
Sweet Lou should be in the Hall of Fame in my opinion cause Sweet Lou was the smoothest 2nd baseman I've seen baseball Sweet Lou your a Tiger forever finally glad to see your number forever retired I'm glad I got to see you play thank you being Sweet Lou always go Tigers 🐅
I have had to put this video in queue, due to other responsibilities. But, without a doubt, Sweet Lou was one of the most underrated players of his day. He deserves the HOF nod, and hopefully it comes soon...
He should be in the Hall and the fact he was dropped off the ballot after one appearance shows how much bias toward big markets exists and how much sportswriters don't know about the game of baseball. If Lou played in New York he would have been a first or second ballot inductee. I have no doubt about that whatsoever. He really should have gone in a long side Tram but at least his number will be on that wall next to Trammell's until that wall comes down. I was there for Sparky's number retirement and Jack's. I missed Tram's but I'll be there for Lou's number retirement. The 68 team made me fall in love with baseball as a kid, but the 84 team still holds the top spot in my heart as far as championship teams are concerned. Loved watching the Bad Boys overcome the Celtics and Lakers, loved watching Stevie skate the cup at the Joe, but that 84 team was the best of the bunch. We knew something special was in the air that year and when they reached 35-5, we all knew they could not be denied a ring, not that year. Bless you Boys and Bless you Lou. I'll see ya in a couple weeks. ⚾#1 forever!
It's a damn shame that Lou Whitaker is not in The HOF. He has more hits and home runs than his double play partner, The Great Alan Trammell. I just don't get it. I believe that he still has at least 1 more opportunity.
How in the world is Sweet Lou Whitaker not in the Hall of Fame. Will someone please answer that question for me??? He has numbers better than 14 other 2nd basemen that are in the H.O.F to this date!!
I remember that ASG where Whitaker lost or had his jersey stolen. So, he bought a jersey from the stands or a sporting goods store and used a magic marker to color in the 1!
Good for you Sweet Lou! He knows he is a Hall of Famer and has the balls to say it. When Tram was elected so should have been Lou. He made it look too easy. That may have been a little bit of his downfall. But it shouldn’t be. In high school someone said the same thing. Everyone else is going 100mph and Lou would just being on cruise control. Who cares if it was easy for Lou? No Tiger coach or player in his time has ever accused Lou Whitaker of dogging it. What team if they knew ahead of time wouldn’t take Whitaker and Trammell for 19 years up the middle if they could look in the future and see the success these two would have? A strong defense up the middle that is set for nearly twenty years should be the goal of any team. This goes along with a strong offense, very high baseball IQ, and wonderful team presence.
No way this man should be kept out of Cooperstown. He will get in eventually - baseball usually comes around on these things - but I only hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as someone like Ron Santo: cheated for so long, then inducted after he's no longer around to bask in it.
If Bill Mazeroski is in the HOF, so should Sweet Lou be in the HOF. Whitaker had more HR's, RBI, Runs, higher batting average, better OBP, higher Slugging %, better OPS+, and WAR than Mazeroski.
Not just because I'm a Tigers fan, but... Lou belongs in the HOF. Bill James ranked him 13th best, all time, and every other 2B ahead of him is in the Hall. The Baseball writers vote players in. The fact that Lou wasn't a first or 2nd ballet election proves that these writers know a whole lot of nothing about him. I don't even need to see this video to know he belongs. Of course, seeing it will just make it all the more galling that Lou is still on the outside looking in. There are a number of 2nd Basemen IN the Hall that were nowhere near as good as Lou Whitaker. Let justice be served, and give Lou his due.
5th round pick. He and Tram worked together like a double-play machine. A single unit. This short video just made it so obvious that we were totally spoiled. Wow.
Sweet Lou retired living in Greensboro, NC broker than a joke! He so broke he can't afford a haircut! Sweet Lou went from a Rolls Royce to a tiny Nissan Altima!
No doubt Hall of Famer. Make it happen, MLB!
YES THIS!!!
It’s an absolute travesty that he has been declined entry into the MLB HOF.
My favorite tigers player all-time
He should be in the HOF
Absolutely I watched him and Trammell for the entire time why he is not in the HOF is a travesty along with him just now having his name on the wall
10000000000000% on OP and the reply. All-time favorite player
of COURSE , Lou deserves HoF , but since he didn't play for NY Yankees or Boston Red Sox (plus he isn't white)- he won't get in.
Sweet Lou and Alan Trammell - one of the best double-play duos of all time. I loved the Tigers teams from the 80s - Whitaker, Trammell, Parrish, Chet Lemon, Larry Herndon, Gibson, Parrish, Morris, Petry, Lopez, Bergman, and the old-timer, Sparky... That 35-5 start in '84 was one of the greatest starts ever!
THE best DP combo ever.
Don't forget Evans, Brookens, Hernandez and Wilcox, key pieces to their success also.
I worked in Downtown Detroit that 84 summer. Got to go to many regular season games but playoffs and WS couldn't get a ticket. Great summer.
@@johnboehmer6683 Milt Wilcox and that mustache, lol.
Castillo was marvelous in replacement at third also Garbay
I'd say the Best!!
Love how humble he is
Beloved in Detroit. Grew up in Detroit. I've known people who worked at the 'Old Tigers Stadium'. Every person admired the man. Good man!
Sweet Lou was humble, consistent and had the greatest rifle to ever play 2nd base with a lot of pop in the day hitting home runs the same as Joe Morgan. No brainer for the HOF!
An absolute Detroit legend
Just hearing the voices of Ernie Harwell and George Kell take me right down Tigers memory lane.
I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Harwell & was totally impressed by his humble way with people.... I'll never forget it.
@@csnide6702 It was great to be a Tigers fan back then . You lived it every day and could not wait until the radio broadcast started . Ernie's voice Welcome to Detroit tigers baseball !!!
My favorite player growing up, mad respect Sweet Lou! HOF baby!!
I got chills remembering being in Tiger Stadium so many times where Lou and Tram were the only infielders I knew!! Put Sweet Lou in the HOF now!!!!!
I grew up in Detroit admiring the man. So, naturally when I was given the opportunity to work on the field (Law Enforcement), at the last game ever played in the 'Old Tigers Stadium', it was a complete joy. I will never forget how gracious Mr. Whitaker was...constantly returning to the field, to sign autographs of fans, who literally refused to leave the stadium that day. Always polite and very courteous to all. This man WILL be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Beat Second baseman in MLB deserves to be in the Hall of Fame..."Sweet Lou"
Sweet Lou belongs in the Hall of Fame. Best EVER at Second base!
My Fav player of all time!!
Thank you. I always admired Sweet Lou and Trammel from afar....then they came and help beat the Padres in the 1984 WS. Bam Bam right off the bat game 1. Great Infield combo. Lou is still underrated as everyone seems to look to promote the next 'big' thing. We already saw it in Whitaker and others of his generation.
I idolized Sweet Lou growing up...started out as a catcher, then moved to 2B/SS because of.
The Man The Myth The Legend Its Sweet Lou! Thanks Lou for being such a great player and man.
I love Comerica, but seeing the old stadium makes me wish they renovated it
Comerica will take the place of Tiger stadium .
How sweet he was.. .
I love Sweet Lou! He gave me so many wonderful baseball moments growing up when times were hard. Lets us not forget, he was not only a great player, but he was a great man too! A true Hall of Famer!
MLB please correct this injustice.
PUT HIM IN THE HALL!!!
He and Trammell should have gone in together.
Yes sir
What a wonderful career of an underestimated player!
Bravo Lou! 🙌💪👍🏻🙏🏻
Loved watching him and trammel
Definitely one of my all time favorites.
Having seen Lou with the Tigers many games myself, and guys like Morgan and Molitor quite a lot too, and then I look at career stats ..... it is just a travesty that Whittaker was not a HOF inductee voted on by the sportswriters. Lou is no politician, or gifted speaker, he was never the guy the writers or broadcasters sought out for post-game interviews, but as a player they should have recognized his ability above all else and voted him in.
I certainly hope that this retirement of his number by the Tigers kick-starts a movement that sweeps him into the Cooperstown Baseball HOF via the Veterans Committee vote. He deserves it!
Is it even still possible? I thought if a player drops below a certain % of votes, he permanently loses eligibility...?
@@johnboehmer6683 Trammel was voted in because Yount and others nominated him from the Veteran's Committee. Class move by Yount.
The vote threshold is for the Baseball Writer's ballot.
@@rayrussell6258 Oh, okay, thanks for that.
Great player. Always came through with the big hit. And was so incredibly steady at second base. Thanks for the memories Sweet Lou
I remember Lou had a daughter born the night before the Tigers clinched in 1984.
I think it was the morning they won the series
Congrats “Sweet Looooouuuuuu” on having your number “1” retired. Now we just need to get the travesty of the writers not voting you to the Hall of Fame fixed. Thank you for the many childhood memories.
I am a long time Detroit Tiger fan. I remember when the Tigers made a run at the Yankees back in 1961. They came in behind the Yankees in 2nd place that season. They had a speedy 2nd baseman named Jake Wood who was a big contributor to their success. When I first saw Lou he reminded me a great deal of Jake, but Lou continued to get better every year to the point of HOF greatness by the end of his career. The DP combo of Lou and Alan Trammell if not the best it's right up there in MLB history. I always enjoyed seeing Lou at the plate. A flawless, smooth swing .......and a thing of beauty.
I'll say it again, Lou Whitaker should be in the Hall of Fame.
Im getting that classic away jersey with his name
Beautiful, beautiful,beautiful sweet Lou thanks for the memories cheers…..!!!!
Lou should already be in HOF!
Sweet Lou should be in the hall! Loved watching him growing up, he is my favorite tiger of all time. Also had the absolute pleasure of meeting Lou at a spring training game a few years back. He's a first class act! Just a very nice, real guy.
Lou was part of the greatest double team combo in baseball. Lou needs to be in the hall.
I’ll be at that game on Aug 6th.
My #1 Tiger forever! Thanks for the sweet memories, Lou!
Love you Lou. HOF bound.
Lou should have been in the HOF years ago . Lets hope the Veterans committee lets him in .
Loved Whitaker growing up, just for his talent. But he always kind of struck me as aloof, or a jerk, cuz he didn't say or smile much, but I hoped I was wrong. This video showed me I was, very cool to hear him talk for the first time, and he seems like a good guy. Him and Trammell were just a DP machine out there, very mechanical and business-like, it was hard to tell. GREAT video, thank you!
He had so much talent but never tried to play to his full potential. With his swing he should have been a career .320 hitter with close to if not 3000 hits. Instead he perked along at 75% his entire career. A lot of Tiger fans don't realize it. If there's any doubt just look when Whitaker was eligible for selection to the Hall by the player's committee a committee of his peers. They selected Jack Morris and Alan Trammel. Guys like George Brett and Robin Yount never once cheated the game or played lazy they knew what great competitors Alan and Jack were. Fans wanted him and Trammel to go in the HOF as a pair. Well the reason Trammell is in and Whitaker isn't is simple: Trammell worked every day of his career to make himself into a great player while Whitaker settled for being just a good player.
@@ericw3229
Interesting, how do you know this? It's true though, passion for a thing is what separates the winners from the runner ups. The unforgettables from the greats. The Jordans from the Wilkins.
LOOOOOUUUUU!
Thank you Lou for all the memories that I won't forget go get it Hof!
Lou should have gotten the call from Cooperstown years ago . No excuses the players need to correct what the writers refused to do . Now that would be a priceless induction .
Great gift to all of us in Michigan...a fine man. Trammel said it well. "An honor to play next to".
Just an honor to have been a part of
When I was a little kid I would go to games with my dad. I will never forget asking him why people were boo’ing that player .. he said” they aren’t boo’ing him they are saying loooooouuuuuuuuuu” the entire stadium hummed his name so loud you could feel it in your seats.
My favorite all time player. It was great being at the game last weekend!
GET THIS MAN TO COOPERSTOWN STAT. ABSOLUTE LEGENDARY STATUS. MOST UNDERRATED DETROIT ATHLETE OF ALL TIME.
Sweet Lou should be in the Hall of Fame in my opinion cause Sweet Lou was the smoothest 2nd baseman I've seen baseball Sweet Lou your a Tiger forever finally glad to see your number forever retired I'm glad I got to see you play thank you being Sweet Lou always go Tigers 🐅
I have had to put this video in queue, due to other responsibilities. But, without a doubt, Sweet Lou was one of the most underrated players of his day. He deserves the HOF nod, and hopefully it comes soon...
Not a better human not a better 2nd baseman GET HIM IN THE HALL OF FAME!! Let's go Lou!!
Lou was dope af definitely hall of famer
He should be in the HOF no doubt.
He should be in the Hall and the fact he was dropped off the ballot after one appearance shows how much bias toward big markets exists and how much sportswriters don't know about the game of baseball. If Lou played in New York he would have been a first or second ballot inductee. I have no doubt about that whatsoever. He really should have gone in a long side Tram but at least his number will be on that wall next to Trammell's until that wall comes down. I was there for Sparky's number retirement and Jack's. I missed Tram's but I'll be there for Lou's number retirement.
The 68 team made me fall in love with baseball as a kid, but the 84 team still holds the top spot in my heart as far as championship teams are concerned. Loved watching the Bad Boys overcome the Celtics and Lakers, loved watching Stevie skate the cup at the Joe, but that 84 team was the best of the bunch. We knew something special was in the air that year and when they reached 35-5, we all knew they could not be denied a ring, not that year.
Bless you Boys and Bless you Lou. I'll see ya in a couple weeks. ⚾#1 forever!
It is a disgrace that this man is not in the Hall of Fame! Shame on you BBWAA!
They're not booing. They're Louing!!
Tigers fans LOVE you Lou. Growing up, as a suburban white kid, I wanted to be Lou Whitaker.
Underrated and definitely a HOF
Best Second Baseman and deserves to go into the Hall of Fame*
Lou for Hall of fame
Should of been in HOF years ago!!!
Very humble man he stayed with the tigers his whole career he didn't chase the money trail
Oh come on!!!!! This man deserves the HOF. He’s got better numbers than some of the ones in there now. Come on people let’s go!! Put him in
Somehow they have to correct the HOF issue . We cant think the writers will do it . I only hope the golden era committee will do it .
Stop the DAMN crime
& Put Lou in the HOF.
It's a joke he didn't go in w/Trammell. Best infield duo ALL-TIME.
It's a damn shame that Lou Whitaker is not in The HOF. He has more hits and home runs than his double play partner, The Great Alan Trammell. I just don't get it. I believe that he still has at least 1 more opportunity.
I have no clue why this man is not in the Hall. if Sandberg is in the Hall Lou should be in 10 times.
How in the world is Sweet Lou Whitaker not in the Hall of Fame. Will someone please answer that question for me??? He has numbers better than 14 other 2nd basemen that are in the H.O.F to this date!!
I remember that ASG where Whitaker lost or had his jersey stolen. So, he bought a jersey from the stands or a sporting goods store and used a magic marker to color in the 1!
How is Sweet Lou not in the Hall of Fame? What an outright snub!
Good for you Sweet Lou! He knows he is a Hall of Famer and has the balls to say it. When Tram was elected so should have been Lou.
He made it look too easy. That may have been a little bit of his downfall. But it shouldn’t be. In high school someone said the same thing. Everyone else is going 100mph and Lou would just being on cruise control. Who cares if it was easy for Lou? No Tiger coach or player in his time has ever accused Lou Whitaker of dogging it.
What team if they knew ahead of time wouldn’t take Whitaker and Trammell for 19 years up the middle if they could look in the future and see the success these two would have? A strong defense up the middle that is set for nearly twenty years should be the goal of any team. This goes along with a strong offense, very high baseball IQ, and wonderful team presence.
Lou belongs in the HOF. I could find 50 players in the HOF I'd easily swap for Whitaker. It's a crime he isn't in
He should have been inducted into the HOF along with Trammell and Morris
He’s got to get in the HOF. He should’ve been inducted the same year Tram was. No doubt.
Detroit is spelled wrong on Whitaker's Florida State League Hall of Fame Plaque. 6:03.
It's a shame he got snubbed for the Hall of Fame you compare him to other people and he's a definite Hall of famer
Sweet Lou. Should be in hall of fame. How can Joe Morgan make it and not liou
No way this man should be kept out of Cooperstown. He will get in eventually - baseball usually comes around on these things - but I only hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as someone like Ron Santo: cheated for so long, then inducted after he's no longer around to bask in it.
Best player not in the hall of fame who's case isn't ruined by steroids', gambling, cheating or whatever. He better get into cooperstown one day
What a wonderful player. HOF is lacking an icon.
Trammell is in the HOF. Why isn't Whitaker.
If Bill Mazeroski is in the HOF, so should Sweet Lou be in the HOF. Whitaker had more HR's, RBI, Runs, higher batting average, better OBP, higher Slugging %, better OPS+, and WAR than Mazeroski.
How can he not be in HOF????
Sports writers gotta be blind to Lou's numbers . He was a very special player.
💯% CORRECT!!!!
Look how long it took to get Jack Morris in.
Watched him kill the Rangers in Arlington for years and years. Really admired him. Put him in hall.
Never stood for the National anthem
Absolute sham that he is not in the HOF
Lou was just cool, still is cool. But he was smooth and cool. Effortless…
Not just because I'm a Tigers fan, but...
Lou belongs in the HOF. Bill James ranked him 13th best, all time, and every other 2B ahead of him is in the Hall.
The Baseball writers vote players in. The fact that Lou wasn't a first or 2nd ballet election proves that these writers know a whole lot of nothing about him.
I don't even need to see this video to know he belongs. Of course, seeing it will just make it all the more galling that Lou is still on the outside looking in. There are a number of 2nd Basemen IN the Hall that were nowhere near as good as Lou Whitaker.
Let justice be served, and give Lou his due.
5th round pick. He and Tram worked together like a double-play machine. A single unit. This short video just made it so obvious that we were totally spoiled. Wow.
2:24 What's with that silly mask? lol
Sweet Lou retired living in Greensboro, NC broker than a joke! He so broke he can't afford a haircut! Sweet Lou went from a Rolls Royce to a tiny Nissan Altima!