Tigers retiring Lou Whitaker's No. 1
"Sweet Lou" is finally getting his due in Detroit.
The Tigers announced Tuesday they will retire No. 1 in honor of longtime second baseman Lou Whitaker before their game on Aug. 29, 2020.
It's time.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 17, 2019
We're retiring the number 1. pic.twitter.com/kOp1B1cE4g
"Without question, 'Sweet Lou' is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Olde English 'D,'" Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch said. "His hustle. His grit. His dedication.
"We congratulate Lou; a Tiger legend so deserving of this recognition."
He will be the ninth former Tiger to have his number officially retired, and just the second (along with Willie Horton) to receive the honor without being in the Hall of Fame.
| Player | Years With Tigers | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Whitaker | 1977-95 | 1 |
| Charlie Gehringer | 1924-42 | 2 |
| Alan Trammell | 1977-96 | 3 |
| Hank Greenberg | 1930; 33-41; 45-46 | 5 |
| Al Kaline | 1953-74 | 6 |
| Sparky Anderson | 1979-95 | 11 |
| Hal Newhouser | 1939-53 | 16 |
| Willie Horton | 1963-77 | 23 |
| Jack Morris | 1977-90 | 47 |
| Ty Cobb | 1905-26 | N/A* |
| Jackie Robinson | Retired by MLB | 42 |
*Cobb's name is honored, but he did not wear a number
"There aren't a whole lot of words that could describe how I'm feeling right now, but surreal might be the closest one," Whitaker said.
Whitaker was the Tigers' fifth-round draft pick in 1975 and reached the majors two years later. He spent his entire 19-year career in Detroit as part of the longest double-play combinations in MLB history alongside Hall of Fame shortstop - and fellow lifetime Tiger - Alan Trammell.
Whitaker was a lifetime .276/.363/.426 hitter with 2,369 hits (four more than Trammell), 244 home runs, and 1,084 RBIs. He was named 1978 AL Rookie of the Year and appeared in five All-Star games, while also winning three Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and a World Series championship in 1984.
Despite being regarded as one of the finest second basemen of his era, Whitaker has yet to join Trammell in Cooperstown. He made just one appearance on the BBWAA ballot in 2001, and last month received only six votes on the Hall's Modern Era Committee ballot.
The Tigers have issued Whitaker's No. 1 sparingly since his retirement in 1995. It remained out of circulation until 2013, when it was given to shortstop Jose Iglesias. Last year, it was worn by Josh Harrison.