Detroit Tigers Mount Rushmore
By David Hill
Alan Trammell (1977-1996)
One of the biggest stars with the Detroit Tigers in the 1980s, Alan Trammell seemed destined for the Hall of Fame.
He was a brilliant all around shortstop, possessing a bit of pop and solid speed at a time when shortstop was a glove first position. Trammell also acquitted himself well defensively, winning four Gold Glove awards. He ranks in the top 30 all time in putouts, assists, and double plays at short, and his 81 runs saved is the 13th best mark in baseball history.
A six time All Star and three time Silver Slugger, Trammell put together a solid career with the Tigers. In his 20 years, he produced a .285/.352/.415 batting line, hitting 185 homers and 412 doubles. He had decent speed in his earlier days, stealing 20 or more bases three times, and ending his career with 236 stolen bases.
Although he was the leader of the Tigers in the 1980s, and universally regarded as one of the better players in the game at the time, Trammell never came close to being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Perhaps it is due to the offensive explosion after he retired, but Trammell was unable to get more than 40.9% of the vote. His fate is now in the hands of the Veteran’s Committee, which will hopefully see fit to induct one of the best shortstops in the history of the game.
Alan Trammell was one of the best players in Detroit Tigers history. Hopefully, he will get his due in Cooperstown as well.