Alan Trammell

Hall of Fame shortstop, World Series MVP, and lifelong Detroit Tiger.

Alan Stuart Trammell (born February 21, 1958) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, manager, and coach. He is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the Detroit Tigers for the entirety of his 20-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Trammell has served as a special assistant to the general manager of the Detroit Tigers since the 2014 season.

Quick Facts

Position: Shortstop; Manager
Bats: Right
Born: 21 February 1958
Birthplace: Garden Grove, California, U.S.
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: September 9
Debut year: 1977
Debut team: Detroit Tigers

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.

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.