Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Alan Trammell personified the Detroit work ethic. He showed up for work each day ready to give it his all. The smooth-fielding shortstop also led the league twice in sacrifice hits. He did what it took to give them the best chance to win. While he wasn’t flashy, he steadily put up numbers that earned him a spot next to other immortals in Cooperstown. Here are 11 times that he made his case/
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Four Gold Gloves: When Trammell Made Shortstop Look Effortless
Fans knew that if the ball was hit to Trammell, it was almost certain that the batter would be out. He didn’t try to make highlight reels … he got the job done. His reward was four Gold Gloves.
Three Silver Sluggers: Out-Hitting the Hotshots
Trammell wasn’t a fielding specialist. He could hit, too. His three Silver Slugger awards were a testament to that, and his eight seasons of at least 10 or more homers were proof that he had pop.
2,365 Career Hits—Back When You Earned Every One
Alan Trammell didn’t think about things like launch angles and exit velocities. He simply saw the ball and hit it … many times. He amassed 2,365 career hits, and all of them were well-earned.
Six All-Star Nods, and Never a Boring Midsummer Classic
Six times, Trammell donned the All-Star jersey. These weren’t pity appearances, either. He fit right in with the other superstars of the game.
World Series MVP: Detroit’s October Hero in ‘84
Postseason pressure? What postseason pressure? He launched consecutive homers off Eric Show in the 1984 World Series. That alone was enough to earn him the Series MVP. Tigers fans still love him to this day.
Top 10 in MVP Voting—Three Different Seasons!
Three times, Trammell finished among the league’s best in MVP voting. Although he never won, he came close in 1987, he was clearly the heart of the Tigers team throughout his tenure there.
The 20-20 Club: Power, Speed, and Some Seriously Stolen Bases
In 1987, Trammell joined baseball’s 20-20 club—28 homers, 21 steals—proving shortstops could be power hitters and swipe bags with the best of them. It meant that pitchers had to worry about more than giving up hits to him.
More Than 1,000 Double Plays Turned—A Shortstop’s Silent Art
Trammell and Lou Whitaker: the double play combo so smooth, you could set your watch by it—and Tigers fans often did. With over 1,100 double plays turned, chances are good that they could have done it with their eyes closed. Each knew where the other would be.
Career .285 Batting Average—Consistency Before Launch Angle
Batting .285 across two decades in the bigs isn’t just about numbers—it’s about grinding through cold Aprils, hot Julys, and September pressure. Trammell never got too cocky or too depressed. He knew it was a long season, and that he would collect his hits.
Over 1,200 Runs Scored: Trammell Was Always Crossing Home
Trammell wasn’t just a table-setter—he cleared the table, too, crossing the plate 1,231 times. He helped raise his teammates’ RBI totals, too.
Finally Cooperstown: Trammell Gets the Call He Always Deserved
After years of waiting, Trammell finally made it to Cooperstown in 2018. The Modern Baseball Era committee righted the wrong that the baseball writers had committed. Not that the gracious Tigers legend bore any ill will. His speech was a lesson in humility and gratitude.