Detroit Tigers. Alan Trammell. HOF. Now.

I was in middle school when the Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series. I got to see the team play at the old Tiger Stadium. I watched the games on TV and listened to Ernie Harwell on the radio. Now, I force my own kids to listen to Jim and Dan in the car and watch Mario and Rod when I get control of the remote. My son and I fill a pair of seats as often as we can at Comerica and when the Tigers play at US Cellular (the seats are less expensive and it’s a shorter drive from our home in West Michigan). I may be highly biased, but I am still shocked that Alan Trammell has not been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It is time for fans to use social media to get #tramhof to go viral. 

Let’s get the BBWAA’s attention by getting #tramhof to go viral.

This year, he shares the honors with shoe-in Ken Griffey, Jr., newbies like Brad Ausmus (*gasp*), and holdovers from the steroid-era like Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Sadly, if Trammell is not voted in, he never will be. This is year 15 for Trammell and his final, ever. It is time for the BBWAA to put this historic life-time Detroit Tiger in the Hall. Honestly, the competition for Tram is much smaller than last year so it could be his best chance, especially if we fans get involved (#tramhof). The steroid-era players will not be voted in and the other names are nowhere near as notable as The Kid. 

(Photo caption credit MLBPA Images/Farmer Jack)

Trammell’s batting stats .285/.352/.415 are just as good, if not better than many of the other Hall of Fame shortstops. In his 20 years playing in 2293 games for only the Detroit Tigers, he had 8288 plate appearances, resulting in 1231 runs from 2365 hits, 236 stolen bases, and 185 home runs. He achieved 1003 RBIs. He was named the World Series MVP in 1984 with his .450 BA and two home runs against the San Diego Padres. He made it to the All-Star game in eight seasons and was awarded a Gold Glove in five seasons. He was frequently on the MVP ballot reaching as high as fourth place in 1987.

Hall of Fame shortstops like Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, and Ozzie Smith have similar numbers. Rizzuto’s batting stats are similar, but because Rizzuto played 13 years to Trammell’s 20, their other number vary widely. Reese played 19 years; but, he had lower batting stats than Trammell had. Reese had 126 home runs, 885 RBIs, 1338 runs, and 232 stolen bases. Ozzie Smith stole a bunch more bases, but his other stats were smaller than Tram’s. Trammell’s stats fit in nicely with the other shortstops, even with Cal Ripken, Jr, who interestingly had lower BA, OBP, and stolen bases numbers. 

Fans like me (and you) should make a concerted effort to get the attention of the BBWAA. The best way to do this today is to tweet and post on social media using #tramhof to get their attention. Ready, set, tweet! Let’s get Tram in.