Detroit Tigers: Top 10 Second Basemen in franchise history

Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers throws to first base during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on September 21, 2005. The Royals won 4-3. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers throws to first base during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on September 21, 2005. The Royals won 4-3. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images) /
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Charlie Gehringer

Detroit Tigers: 1924-1942

It is crazy to think that Lou Whitaker is indisputably one of the 10 greatest second basemen of all-time, yet he is very clearly the second best in Tigers history.

The distinction for number one belongs to “the Mechanical Man” Charlie Gehringer.

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Gehringer played for the Tigers for 19 seasons and stuffed the stat sheet. He ranks in the teams top five in nearly every offensive category, and many defensive categories as well.

Gehringer finished his storied career with 2,839 hits, 1,775 runs, 574 doubles, 184 home runs, 1,427 RBI, 181 steals and a .320/.404/.480 slash line.

The All-Star game did not exist until Gehringer was 30, yet he still made six of them. He was the 1937 AL MVP and finished in the top ten six other times.

He led the league in runs twice, hits twice, doubles twice, triples once, steals once and won the 1937 batting title with a .371 average.

His 80.6 career WAR ranks 37th all time and third in Tigers history, behind Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.

Although it took a while, Gehringer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949. He is one of three Hall of Famers to have spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. Al Kaline and recently inducted Alan Trammell are the others.

Gehringer is one of the greatest players of his generation and will forever be known as one of the greatest Detroit Tigers in franchise history.

Next: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell inducted into the Hall of Fame

So there you have it. The 10 greatest second basemen in Detroit Tiger history, ranked. What are your thoughts?  Do you have a different list in mind? Did I leave anyone off that you would have included?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.