Alan Trammell .285/.352/.415, 185 home runs, 2365 hits, 412 doubles, 70.4 WAR, 40.9% (2016)
Just as Lou Whitaker was considered to be a Hall of Fame player during his career, his counterpart with the Detroit Tigers, Alan Trammell, was also expected to join him in Cooperstown. While Whitaker had just the one year on the ballot, Trammell hung around for 15 years, but did not receive the support needed.
It is unfortunate that he did not, as Trammell was the best shortstop in the American League during the 1980’s. A key part of the Tigers run of success during that decade, he was a six time All Star and a three time Silver Slugger winner, winning the 1984 World Series MVP award in the Tigers five game championship victory.
A player who relied on his excellent ability to make contact, Trammell had seven seasons where he hit over .300, including his impressive 1987 campaign where he had a .343/.402/.551 batting line with 205 hits, 28 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He finished second in the MVP award that year, finishing 21 points behind George Bell. Had he won the award that year, it may have changed his trajectory to Cooperstown.
Trammell was just as solid defensively as he was with the bat. A four time Gold Glove winner, he ended his career with 1307 double plays, the seventh best mark amongst MLB shortstops, and 81 runs saved. Teamed with Whitaker, Trammell helped provide the Tigers with excellent play up the middle for close to twenty years.
Alan Trammell was a mainstay with the Detroit Tigers, and one of their biggest stars during the 1980’s. Now, whether or not he ends up in Cooperstown will be in the hands of the Veteran’s Committee.
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