When can you recall a greater sports injustice than the one that has just befallen us today?
2019 was former Detroit Tigers great Lou Whitaker’s lone appearance on the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) ballot since 2001. The five-time All-Star and three-time Golden Glove winner boasted a stat line of .276 BA, .363 OBP, .426 SLG, 244 HR, 1,084 RBI, and 2,369 Hits over his storied career. His 6,653 career assists are sixth in history for a second baseman. He boasts the highest WAR of any second baseman not already in the Hall of Fame.
And of course, he was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1978.
Of course, his .315 BA with a .811 OPS during his team’s famous 35-5 start to the magical 1984 season added to his legacy.
And yet, that’s still that’s not good enough to be forever enshrined in Cooperstown. Why not?
Where does this rank in comparison to the Buffalo Sabres being robbed of a potential Stanley Cup victory thanks to the NHL’s miffed call on Brett Hull’s controversial goal in 1999? How about Armando Galarraga’s “almost” perfect game?
For a player who spent 2,308 games at second base and racked up worthy numbers, there isn’t a legitimate case as to why Sweet Lou isn’t in Cooperstown. There simply isn’t.
Cooperstown is a bit lesser in baseball lore today.
