Lou Whitaker: Detroit Tigers' iconic second baseman

Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker, seen in May 1987 in mid-career.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker leaps over the slide of Boston Red Sox base runner Wade Boggs after throwing to first to complete a double play on a ball hit by Boston's Jim Rice in the first inning of a game at Boston's Fenway Park, June 25, 1985.

Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, appearing before a disappointed Tiger Stadium crowd on September 13, 1995, acknowledge the few fans who showed up to see them break the league record for games played together as teammates. Over 19 years the shortstop-second baseman combination had played in 1,915 games, breaking the record set by George Brett and Frank White of the Kansas City Royals.

Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker takes a break during spring training in February, 1984.

Alan Trammell and Lou Whittaker walk off the field on October 1, 1995 after a special presentation where they each received "second base". This was their final game together at Tiger Stadium.

Detroit Tigers new manager Sparky Anderson hugs Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker and laughs as they joke during a photo session at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on June 14, 1979, after Sparky's introduction to the local press. Whitaker, American League rookie of the year in 1978, was placed on the disabled list with a chipped fracture in a finger of his right hand. Anderson had just finished telling Whitaker that he and the rest of the Tigers should make him look smart by continuing to win.

Lou Whitaker, left, poses with the new manager of the Detroit Tigers Sparky Anderson in 1979.

Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker leaps over Boston's Rich Gedman who is out at Second base in the second inning of the home opener at Tigers Stadium, April 7, 1986.

Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker acknowledges the crowd during a game in September, 1984.

Detroit Tiger Lou Whitaker waits for the play during a game against Minnesota in May of 1992.

Detroit Tigers infielder Lou Whitaker, left, and Alan Trammell pose prior to the home opener of their 18th season as Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium on Monday, April 11, 1994 in Detroit.

A three section photographic panel of Lou Whitaker at bat in game one of the World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, October 9, 1984.

Second baseman Lou Whitaker applies the tag on the Minnesota Twins' Greg Gagne in an Oct. 12, 1987 American League Championship Series in Detroit.

Detroit Tigers' Frank Tanana, a product of Catholic Central high school, celebrates with teammate and second baseman Lou Whitaker October 4, 1987, after Tanana defeated Toronto 1-0 at Tiger Stadium to clinch the American League East division title. Detroit topped the majors with 98 victories and 225 home runs, but fell to the eventual World Series champion Minnesota Twins in the American League Championship Series, losing in five games.

The Tigers' Lou Whitaker hurdles over Paul Molitor of the Toronto Blue Jays after turning the double play during the second inning of a game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on May 20, 1995. It would be Whitaker's final season.

Lou Whitaker hit 244 home runs in his career -- 14 more than Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar.

Detroit Tiger Lou Whittaker slides safely ahead of the tag by Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios during the Legends and Celebrities game as part of the All Star festivities at Comerica Park in Detroit, July 10, 2005

Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker leaps over the slide of Boston Red Sox base runner Wade Boggs after throwing to first to complete a double play on a ball hit by Boston's Jim Rice in the first inning of a game at Boston's Fenway Park Tuesday, June 25, 1985.

Lou Whitaker, former Detroit Tigers second baseman and a special assistant with the team attends a full-squad workout during spring training in Lakeland, Florida, February 18, 2009.

Lou Whitaker, former Detroit Tigers second baseman and a special assistant with the team, signs autographs during spring training in Lakeland, Florida, February 18, 2009.

Former Detroit Tiger' Lou Whitaker waves to the crowd during a ceremony celebrating the 1984 Tigers before the start of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park, June 30, 2014.

Will Horton, from left, Lou Whitaker and David Price pose in front of a Whitaker jersey as he received the African American Legacy Award in a ceremony before the Tigers played the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on April 24, 2015.

Lou Whitaker congratulates his longtime double play partner, Alan Trammell, during a ceremony honoring Trammell and Jack Morris on Aug. 26, 2018 at Comerica Park, after their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Will he be the next Tiger in Cooperstown?

Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker, left, watches his throw to first after forcing out Baltimore Orioles runner Sam Horn during a fourth inning double play at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Sept. 13, 1990.

Lou Whitaker poses for his roster photo on March 1, 1989 at Spring training in Lakeland, Fla.

Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker catches a throw during a game against the California Angels in 1991.

Detroit's Lou Whitaker successfully completes a double play despite Rick Miller's attempt to take out his legs during a game at Fenway Park in Boston, June 9, 1983.