Our list of nominees is shorter at second base, but the choice is no easier: one Hall of Famer and a guy who probably should be in the hall but isn’t because he quietly, professionally, went about his work, and delivered big time.
In many ways Charlie Gehringer and Lou Whitaker were similar. Extremely soft-spoken, maybe even shy or a bit inarticulate. But nonetheless, role models we would like to see our sons emulate.
Gehringer was a hit machine. Mickey Cochrane said "Charlie says `hello' on Opening Day, `goodbye' on closing day, and in between hits .350." He wasn’t joking, as they guy closed his career with a .320 average, one batting title, an MVP, and a bust in the Hall of Fame.
He was a true throw-back to another day, who worked at Hudson’s in the menswear department in the off-season, and lived with his mother until she passed away.
“Sweet Lou” was also a man of his time. Rookie of the Year, he had a lower average (.276 lifetime), but far more power than Gehringer. He hit 244 home runs. He poked one over the roof in rightfield, an accomplishment you might expect from Cash or Howard, but not a slightly built man like Whitaker.
He was a vacuum on the right side of the infield earning three Gold Gloves, and a great double play partner with Trammell.
Incredibly, he got only 2.9% of the votes for the Hall of Fame on Election day. This is clearly an outrage, and peers like Ryne Sandburg are there. Sad.
Now Dick McAullife was a steady hand for 13 years for our boys, and we all love him for that goofy, aggressive, foot in the bucket open stance, and charging the mound when Tommy John threw at him (and behind him.)
Mac was known to get on base one way or the other, being one of the league leaders in walks. In 1968 he led the league in scoring runs. His lifetime average was .247, and never higher than .274, but didn’t he put a punch in the ball, with 197 homers?
Did you know he made the 1965 and 1966 All Star games as a shortstop?
He might not be my first choice for the Tigers’ all-time best second sacker, but he deserves a mention.
In many ways Charlie Gehringer and Lou Whitaker were similar. Extremely soft-spoken, maybe even shy or a bit inarticulate. But nonetheless, role models we would like to see our sons emulate.
Gehringer was a hit machine. Mickey Cochrane said "Charlie says `hello' on Opening Day, `goodbye' on closing day, and in between hits .350." He wasn’t joking, as they guy closed his career with a .320 average, one batting title, an MVP, and a bust in the Hall of Fame.
He was a true throw-back to another day, who worked at Hudson’s in the menswear department in the off-season, and lived with his mother until she passed away.
“Sweet Lou” was also a man of his time. Rookie of the Year, he had a lower average (.276 lifetime), but far more power than Gehringer. He hit 244 home runs. He poked one over the roof in rightfield, an accomplishment you might expect from Cash or Howard, but not a slightly built man like Whitaker.He was a vacuum on the right side of the infield earning three Gold Gloves, and a great double play partner with Trammell.
Incredibly, he got only 2.9% of the votes for the Hall of Fame on Election day. This is clearly an outrage, and peers like Ryne Sandburg are there. Sad.
Now Dick McAullife was a steady hand for 13 years for our boys, and we all love him for that goofy, aggressive, foot in the bucket open stance, and charging the mound when Tommy John threw at him (and behind him.)
Mac was known to get on base one way or the other, being one of the league leaders in walks. In 1968 he led the league in scoring runs. His lifetime average was .247, and never higher than .274, but didn’t he put a punch in the ball, with 197 homers?
Did you know he made the 1965 and 1966 All Star games as a shortstop?
He might not be my first choice for the Tigers’ all-time best second sacker, but he deserves a mention.
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