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I think it was a combination of lack of awards and being in Tram's shadow.DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.DEEPER DISCUSSIONS
It happened again. Cooperstown’s Historical Overview Committee has once again decided to leave Lou Whitaker off the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot. His first and only appearance years…
Totally Tigers
It happened again.
Cooperstown’s Historical Overview Committee has once again decided to leave Lou Whitaker off the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot. His first and only appearance years ago garnered him only 6 votes.
Many continue to question why.
Sweet Lou was the famous fielding partner to Alan Trammell and both won a World Series ring. Whitaker earned Rookie of the Year as well as multiple Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers and All-Star appearances. However, he won no other major awards and an overall view of his stats doesn’t show anything that is remarkably superior to his competition. Could it be that he was so stable and consistent at his position every single year instead of having 1 or 2 eye-popping seasons?
Many point to his career WAR which is 75.1. It is heads and tails above most others who played that position. His stats are often seen as being equal to those of Joe Morgan.
It’s been pointed out his WAR is so much greater than Ryne Sandberg’s but Sandberg has higher stats in most categories and was considered 1 of the major stars during the era in which he played. It should also be noted that Lou had more HRs and higher OBP and SLG than his partner Trammell, who is in the Hall.
Others point to Whitaker being a Jehovah’s Witness as the sticking point. This religion forbid members from standing for the national anthem and from effective interaction with the media. He was considered to be aloof and not very friendly towards the media which also didn’t allow writers to access his personality and motivation.
Over time, whatever interviews he did came across as bizarre to many and hastily ended. However, almost all of those writers no longer have voting privileges in the Hall of Fame.
One can also consider that the election of Alan Trammell and Jack Morris in the same year pushed Whitaker out of consideration. Some may have thought that having 3 Tigers elected from the same era and inducted around the same time would be too concentrated a move and would generate controversy.
Today’s blog addresses this issue and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
So why isn’t Sweet Lou in the Hall of Fame?
1. What is the primary reason that Lou Whitaker is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame?
2. His quiet demeanor and personality.
3. His religion restricted participation in traditional baseball behavior.
4. Lack of major awards and stand-out seasons.
5. The Election of Tram and Morris pushed him out of consideration.
VOTE
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