5 Detroit Tigers who should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers former pitcher Jack Morris throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game kicks off Tonight on FOX.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

This years class, just like every other one before it, combines some of the games all-time greats next to guys who are just becoming to be great, and others who may never be great again.

In baseball more than any other sport, first half All-Star performances can quickly vanish, and players are gone before anyone could even remember they were there.

In most cases, however, its a repeat of guys who are the best at their respective positions year in and year out. The more All-Star appearances a player makes in their career, the more obvious choice they are to become a member of baseballs most sacred club: The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

Each year the Baseball Writers Association of America select players they think are worthy, to join legends such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams in Cooperstown, New York under the criteria necessary.

Also each year, a certain players do not receive the amount of votes in order to make the club.

The Detroit Tigers have many all-time great players in the Hall of Fame already. Ty Cobb, Al Kaline and Hank Greenberg are all Tigers legends to be inducted almost immediately upon eligibility.

They also have players who deserve to be there, but for one reason or another have not gotten the respect needed to officially get them there. Here are five former Detroit Tigers who should be in Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame:

1/2. Alan Trammell & Lou Whitaker – Its almost impossible to mention Trammell without referring to “Sweet Lou” as well. The two former Tigers are the all time leaders in double plays converted, while combining for 11 All-Star games, seven Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers awards. They could do it on both offense and defense, holding a .981 fielding percentage in the 13 years Trammell held down shortstop while Whitaker maintained second base. Trammell has been quoted as saying it’s his dream to be inducted along side his pal Whitaker, however the Tigers 1984 Champion may have run out of time. In his last year eligible, he did not get enough votes to be voted in by writers, while Whitaker cant even get enough votes to get on the ballot period.

3. Jack Morris – The Tigers dominant right handed ace on the same World Series winning team as Trammell and Whitaker, Morris will also never be inducted as his final year of eligibility expired in 2014. One of, if not the most dependable starter of his time, Morris started three All-Star games and pitched in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series game for the Tigers. His high WHIP and ERA are unfortunate factors as to why he did not make it in, although winning 15 games a season for 12 years during his career was not enough.

4. Norm Cash – In 1961, the Tigers first baseman beat out names such as Mickey Mantle, teammate Al Kaline and Harmon Killebrew on his way to his first and only batting title. He didn’t just win by a few points either. Cash finished the season with a .361 mark, .037 points higher than teammate Kaline. Along with the batting title, Cash hit 41 home runs and drove in 132 runs that season as well. 1961 wasnt just his only good year, however. Stormin Norman was four time All-Star who hit 377 home runs in his 17 year career. One reason he may not have been elected was because he admitted to using a corked bat.

5. Cecil Fielder – The Tigers big lefty was the fixture of the franchise immediately upon his arrival to Detroit in 1990. Hitting 51 home runs that first season, Fielder became a fan favorite right of the bat, as he continued to hit massive home runs that provided fans a bit of entertainment during those darker days at Tiger Stadium. Cecil hit 25 home runs or more in eight straight seasons with the Tigers, was a two time All-Star and finished second in the MVP voting twice. Also anyone who hits a home run over the roof at old Tiger Stadium deserves to be in the Hall of Fame:

Next: MCB TigerTalk: All-Star Edition