Alan Trammell

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Lore & Background

Trammell won the 1984 World Series championship over his hometown San Diego Padres, earning Series MVP honors. His team also won an American League East division championship in 1987. He won four Gold Glove awards and three Silver Slugger awards. Trammell's defense complemented his double-play partner, Lou Whitaker, and the two formed the longest continuous double-play combination in major league history, playing 19 seasons together. Trammell later served as the Tigers' manager from 2003 through 2005 and as interim manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the final three games of the 2014 season. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

In Their Own Story

On September 9, 1977, the first of nineteen seasons together began for Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker as they debuted at Fenway Park during a double-header. Years later, on the penultimate day of the 1987 regular season, Trammell hit a walk-off single against the Toronto Blue Jays to help his team take the AL East lead, which they clinched the next day. This moment capped a season where he batted .416 in September with six homers and 17 RBI during an 18-game hitting streak. His defensive prowess was defined by a quick release and accurate throws that complemented Whitaker perfectly. Although his arm was not overpowering, these traits earned him four Gold Glove awards. Injuries eventually slowed his production after 1990; he played only 29 games in 1992 before breaking his right ankle. He retired following the 1996 season with a career average of .285, 185 home runs, and 1,003 RBI. On August 26, 2018, his jersey #3 was retired by the Tigers, joining other legends on the brick wall at Comerica Park.

Reader's Guide

Trammell attended Kearny High School in San Diego, California and played American Legion Baseball. He was named the 1989 American Legion Graduate of the Year. The Detroit Tigers selected him in the second round of the 1976 MLB draft. He made his major league debut on September 9, 1977, alongside Lou Whitaker. Trammell batted .300 in 1980, making his first All-Star team. He won the 1983 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award. In 1984, he batted .314 and was named World Series MVP. In 1987, he hit .343 with 28 home runs and 105 RBI, finishing second in MVP voting. He retired after the 1996 season with a career .285 average, 185 home runs, and 1,003 RBI. He was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Modern Baseball Committee in December 2017 and inducted in July 2018. His jersey number 3 was retired by the Tigers on August 26, 2018.

Did You Know?

• The longest continuous double-play combination in major league history consists of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, who played 19 seasons together.