Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker were Detroit mainstays for almost two decades. The Motown combo debuted together on September 9, 1977. Their final game together came 18 years later on October 1, 1995.
With Tram at shortstop and Sweet Lou at second base, the Tigers struck gold. During their time together the pair combined for 11 All Star selections, seven Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Statistically their totals from ’77-’95 come in with 4,689 hits, 429 homers, 2071 RBI, 373 stolen bases, and 146.8 WAR.
Tiger fans loved the middle-infield mates who played 1,918 games together as the longest-standing double-lay duo in baseball history. The pair holds the record for most double plays turned by teammates and spent their entire careers with the Tigers.
Among teammates at any position, the Detroit duo hold the American League appearances for most games together. On September 13, 1995 they played in their 1,915th game together to pass Kansas City men George Brett and Frank White.
The major league record is held by Houston’s Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell who appeared in 2,020 contests side by side. The Cubs Cooperstown pair of Billy Williams and Ron Santo hold the second spot with 2,012 games together.
Shown here is a ticket to the game when Trammell and Whitaker set the AL mark. Whitaker signed the it and added the inscription “1,915 games with Tram”.