Trammell in the Hall? Sheffield Disrespects Tiger Great

Just a note to all readers out there. This article was originally written on December 9th, 2006, mere days after the Detroit Tigers acquired Gary Sheffield. I use this article here to make a case for Alan Trammell as a hall of famer. Here's hoping you all enjoy it.

Now batting third for your Detroit Tigers, number 3, Gary Sheffield?!? How many Tiger fans out there think the previous statement sounds weird? Most of us immediately conjure up images of another man, a should-be hall of famer, by the name of Alan Trammell.

It is common knowledge that the number three of Alan Trammell was never retired. I do not know the policy the Tigers hold on retiring numbers, but it is obvious Trammell's number should have been retired years ago.

Trammell was the Tigers leader throughout the 80's and into the early 90's, boasting a quick bat and an even quicker glove. He led the team to the 1984 World Series Championship, winning MVP Honors by going 9-20 (.450), with an .800 slugging percentage, 2 home runs and 6 RBI. Trammell formed the longest standing double play combination in history with Lou Whitaker (another who should have his jersey retired). Trammell would have been the defining shortstop of his generation if not for the games played streak by Cal Ripken.

This is to say nothing of what Trammell gave the team after his retirement. Trammell was the hitting coach for the Tigers in 1999, but was replaced after a year of frustration a team that had little talent. The Tigers decided at this time they wanted to ignore tradition and build a team in a new mold. Despite this Trammell would return.

In 2003 Trammell took the managers job for the Tigers, even though he knew the team would be bad. The 2003 Tigers were the worst collection of talent ever assembled. Only a late winning streak kept them from owning the worst record in modern history (apologies to the 1899 Spiders). Trammell's hiring was a publicity stunt furthered by the fact that he hired almost all 1984 Tigers for his coaching staff. Club leadership was hoping a return to the glory days would help fans to deal with the intolerable product currently on display.

After 2005, Trammell was fired and replaced by Jim Leyland. Leyland is an outstanding manager, but it would have been nice to see what Trammell could do with a team that had finally had young talent and had gotten its older talent healthy. Instead Trammell was kicked to the curb, and the Tigers enjoyed their amazing renaissance without him.

Now, as the Tigers move into 2006, they kick Trammell in the proverbial groin one more time by giving his number to Gary Sheffield. The reasoning is that Trammell said it would be okay for Sheffield to wear the number. Of course he would say this because Alan Trammell is among the classiest men ever to play the game.
This is a shameful act by an organization that should know better. This is not how you treat a man who, in twenty years batted .285, with 185 home runs, 1003 RBI, 1231 runs, 2365 hits, 412 doubles, 55 triples, and 236 stolen bases in 2293 games. A man who brought you a world series, and was adored by Tigers fans everywhere. A man who once had a contract signed on a restaurant napkin because his desire to be with the team ruled all.

The Tigers can never erase the indelible mark this grievous error has left in the hearts of Tiger fans everywhere. There is only one thing the they can do to save face. Retire Trammell's number on opening day this season (Whitaker's too) tell Sheffield to pick another number. It never should have been an option to begin with. There is only one number three in Detroit, and that's Alan Trammell.