Lou Whitaker

Sweet Lou Whitaker played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers, winning a World Series and earning five All-Star selections alongside Alan Trammell.

Louis Rodman Whitaker Jr., known as "Sweet Lou," is an American former professional baseball second baseman who spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers from 1977 to 1995. Appearing in 2,390 games, he ranks third in franchise history behind Ty Cobb and Al Kaline. Whitaker anchored a Tigers team that won the 1984 World Series and earned five consecutive American League All-Star selections (1983–1987). His offensive prowess was recognized with four Silver Slugger Awards (1983–1985, 1987), while his defense secured three Gold Glove Awards (1983–1985). The Tigers retired his No. 1 jersey in August 2022. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Martinsville, Virginia, Whitaker was drafted in 1975, spending three years in the minors where he won Florida State League MVP honors in 1976. He debuted in September 1977 and captured the 1978 American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Quick Facts

Position: Second baseman
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Born: 12 May 1957
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: September 9
Debut year: 1977

Lore & Background

Whitaker's journey began in Brooklyn before his family moved to Martinsville, Virginia, where he attended high school. Drafted by the Tigers in 1975, he bypassed college to play for the Bristol Tigers in the Appalachian League. The nickname "Sweet Lou" emerged during his 1976 season with the Lakeland Tigers of the Class A Florida State League; manager Jim Leyland praised his poise and self-assurance after Whitaker stole five bases in a single game, including three steals of home. That year, he batted .297 with 48 stolen bases and was named league MVP. Following the season, Tigers management converted him from third base to second base under Eddie Brinkman's tutelage. Brinkman later noted Whitaker took to the position immediately as a natural athlete. By 1977, he formed a historic pairing with Alan Trammell in Montgomery, both earning All-Star nods in the Southern League.

Reader's Guide

Whitaker's peak years defined the Tigers' success in the 1980s. In 1983, he enjoyed his finest season, appearing in a career-high 161 games with a .320 batting average and 206 hits. He earned his first of five All-Star selections, hitting a triple as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning at Comiskey Park. That year, he won the Silver Slugger Award, the Gold Glove Award, and the "Tiger of the Year" award with 29 of 44 votes.

The following season, Whitaker helped lead the Tigers to a World Series title after an incredible 35–5 start. He hit .289 with 13 home runs in 142 games, scoring six runs in the five-game series against San Diego. In 1985, he set a franchise record for second basemen with 21 home runs and scored 102 runs for the first time. His power surge continued into 1989, when he hit a career-high 28 home runs to repeat as "Tiger of the Year."

Throughout his tenure, Whitaker and Trammell played beside each other for 19 seasons, forming the longest-running double play combination in major-league history.

Did You Know?

In 1985, Whitaker forgot to pack his uniform for the All-Star game and had to scrawl his number on a blank jersey with a magic marker.
The Smithsonian requested the makeshift All-Star jersey from 1985, and it remains part of their collection today.
Whitaker was drafted in the fifth round (99th overall) of the 1975 draft but chose to sign rather than attend Ferrum College.