DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – “Sweet” Lou Whitaker is finally getting his number retired. The 19-year veteran was the “Rookie of the Year” in 1978 and won the World Series in 1984. He will be the 10th Tiger Legend to have his number retired as the #1 will never be worn again by anyone.
The ceremony will take place on August 6 vs. Tampa Bay during the pre-game. The first 10,000 fans will receive a Lou Whitaker Replica Road Jersey presented by Bally Sports Detroit.
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A five-time MLB All-Star, he had 2,369 hits, 244 home runs, 1,084 RBI, and a .276 batting average. His teammate, Alan Trammel, had one of the longest double-play combinations in the MLB going 19 years. Whitaker, who committed to Ferrum College out of high school, decided not to play college baseball after being selected 99th in the 1975 MLB Draft. He started his career with the Bristol Tigers of the Rookie-level Appalachian League and then for the Class A Florida State League Lakeland Tigers in 1976.
In 1976, the Tigers converted him to a second baseman and teamed him up with Trammel at the Arizona Instructional League. They both played for the Montgomery Rebels in the AA Southern League before being promoted to the big leagues in 1997. By the end of April 1979, both Whitaker and Trammel started together making the best combo up the middle for the next 19 years.
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