The Detroit Tigers are retiring Lou Whitaker’s number in August 2020

The Detroit Tigers will retire Lou Whitaker’s No. 1 in August.

For Detroit Tigers fans, the day has finally come. After getting denied in the most recent Hall of Fame vote by the Modern Era Committee (check out our write up from Brian Johnston on Lou Whitaker), the Tigers are retiring Lou Whitaker’s number.

Detroit Tigers Owner Chris Ilitch put out this official statement about retiring Lou’s number.

Lou thank the ownership and was looking forward to the ceremony in August.

The AL Rookie of the Year in 1978, Lou Whitaker would play 19 seasons in the majors. His career WAR of 75.1 is seventh all-time among second baseman. He has a chance to get into the Hall of Fame in 2022 and if you ask Jay Jaffe of Fangraphs,  and author of an awesome book called “The Cooperstown Casebook, Who’s in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Who Should Be In, and Who Should Pack Their Plaques”, of his chances, they are great.

“Both the fact that his candidacy is back in circulation, and that a precedent for a one-and-done candidate to be elected in this format has been set, bode well for him down the road.”

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 29th when they host the Boston Red Sox. He will be the 10th player in Tigers history with his number retired.