Detroit Tigers Top 10 Shortstops in franchise history

Alan Trammell

Detroit Tigers: 1977-1996

Alan Trammell will become the 21st or 22nd Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer when he is inducted into Cooperstown in July. Depending on who speaks first between him and longtime teammate Jack Morris, who was also inducted via the Modern Era committee this past December.

Trammell’s induction has been a long-awaited one, as the shortstop posted some jaw dropping numbers during his nearly two decades in the Motor City.

Trammell’s numbers are staggering: 2,365 hits, 185 home runs, 236 stolen bases, six all-star game appearances, four Gold Glove awards, three Silver Slugger Awards, a World Series MVP and a 70.4 WAR.

He was a catalyst for the 1984 World Series winning team, hitting .314 with 14 home runs and 19 stolen bases in the regular season and winning the WS MVP by hitting .450 with two home runs in Detroit’s five game victory over the Padres.

His best season may have been 1987 however, when he hit a scorching .343 with 28 home runs, 21 stolen bases and 105 RBI.

It took Trammell an awful long time to get his due. His 70.4 bWAR is higher than that of Barry Larkin, Joe Cronin, Ernie Banks, Pee Wee Reese and Lou Boudreau, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame. He topped out at 40.9% of the votes on the BBWAA ballot, before finally gaining recognition last year.

Regardless of his Hall of Fame status, there was never any doubt that Trammell is the greatest shortstop in Tigers history, and arguably one of their top three or four greatest players ever.

Next: Tigers All-Decade-Team: 1990's

Tell us what you think! Is Iglesias deserving of a spot in the top-ten? Should Carlos Guillen be ahead of Harvey Kuenn? Anyone we missed? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter.