It’s been an exciting past couple of days if you’re a fan of the Detroit Tigers, more so if you were around to witness their 1984 World Series championship win.
Former Tigers pitcher Jack Morris and shortstop Alan Trammell were elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday by the hall’s Modern Era Committee. The team has also already made tribute videos to honor their former franchise standouts and have announced plans to retire their numbers in Tigers history.
The dynamic duo have been flooded with congratulations from their biggest peers since the announcement became official on Sunday. The latest such regards came courtesy of a former long-time Detroit Tigers pitcher and newly married and minted World Series champion.
Congratulations to Alan Trammell and Jack Morris on the HOF induction! Been a long time coming imo. So happy for them both! #HallOfFame #LegendsNeverDie
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) December 11, 2017
Perhaps this is a bit of foreshadowing for Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, who is putting together a Hall of Fame-caliber career himself. Verlander finally got that one accolade that many believe he was lacking from being a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, after being a part of the Astros team that is fresh of winning the 2017 World Series.
The former No. 1 selection for the Tigers back in 2004 has carved out a respectable and decorated big league career:
- 2006 AL Rookie of the Year
- 2011 AL MVP
- 2011 AL Cy Young
- 2011 AL Pitching Triple Crown (led league in wins, ERA and Ks)
- 2017 ALCS MVP
- 2017 WS Champion
- 6-time All-Star selection
- Career 3.46 ERA and 2,416 Ks (third among active pitchers)
Back to the present and the Tigers’ two newest representatives into the Hall of Fame. Morris and Trammell were two of the more often debated former big league players that were up for induction consideration. They both exhausted all 15 of their chances to be inducted by the BBWAA, but are finally, and deservedly, in and among the sport’s all-time greats.
