1987 Game of the Week-Lou Whitaker Goes From Goat to Hero

Here is a look at one of the great but now forgotten players of the 1980s. The Angels and Tigers are locked in a tight game in the 9th inning when All-Star second baseman Lou Whitaker makes a key error, but then atones for his miscue by rising to the occasion. RetroMaven has always been a sucker for redemption stories! Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson and Joe Morgan provide the commentary. No ownership of this material is claimed.

[@oldredbarnman]

I sure do miss Tiger Stadium!

[@BAYAREA-kd1ig]

Why didn't they spend the money to refurbish the place. It looked like an amazing place to watch a game. The new one I'm sure has it's charm and all, but it doesn't feel have that amazing look like Tiger Stadium did.

[@SKY-nv1mi]

Lou definitely needs to be in the HOF!

[@retromaven2159]

No truer words have ever been typed!

[@larrydanadavid2435]

Thanks for posting. The game has changed so much! Look at how tame the walk off celebration was as compared to today.

[@retromaven2159]

@@larrydanadavid2435 Players didn't showboat to get on the highlight shows!

[@WT-Sherman]

Lou should have been standing next to Tram at the HOF podium.

[@retromaven2159]

@@WT-Sherman Truer words were never spoken!

[@caveman3096]

Lou was a humble hero. Quiet steady we were blessed in Detroit to have him and Tram together all those wonderful years. It doesn’t seem like such a thing as having 2 HOF caliber players paired up at ss and 2b same team for 19 seasons could ever happen again anywhere. Lou has my vote. I think he will be there in the next election.

[@retromaven2159]

Many of us feel the same way!!

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

The guys look so happy going back into the dugout after Lou's homer. No "look at me" gestures or theatrics, just old-school ballplayers enjoying a win on a nice afternoon.

[@robbymayne6643]

Lou deserves to be in the HOF!!

[@dougbrowne9890]

Lou must have had some sportswriters mad at him. So deserving to be in the HOF.

[@retromaven2159]

Also his position is the most under-represented in the HOF. That and his quiet demeanor didn't make for a good combination.

[@briankendall7878]

​@@retromaven2159 Lou should definitely be in but 2B isn't the most under represented. It's 3rd base ala Buddy Bell,Ken Boyer, Graig Nettles,Stan Hack.

[@retromaven2159]

@@briankendall7878 Thanks...

[@SteveRay-es9gk]

He really did. HOF found out Lou was broke and said we pass!

[@tammycarter6144]

Daughter was born in 1987 in Detroit we born in the same town Martinsville va sweet Lou close to his family

[@markyagelo4178]

Actually, Lou has always been the GOAT. Greatest Of All Time. It's an absolute travesty this man isn't already in the HOF.

[@adailydoseofnostalgia]

I keep hitting the "like" button but it wont let me like this!!! Wtf. 😂 Lou is the greatest! That missed call in the beginning of the video and then ff to the game winning HR is a great example of karma at work. 😂❤ As Rasheed Wallace always said, "Ball don't lie!!!!!"

[@beeemm2578]

L O U for H O F

[@retromaven2159]

LOU in capital letters!!

[@SteveRay-es9gk]

Sweet Lou for being broke hiding out in Greensboro, NC! All them years playing pro ball, now he BROKE!!!

[@rileyjackfansmithandjones8238]

19 years, regular, solid ,steady.....did everything, and all the little smart things. Absolute HOF....mRyan Sandberg didnt even play 10 years

[@GratefulInRecovery]

I thought Hawk was a Chicago Sox announcer. Was this a Saturday game with Joe Morgan?

[@steveprestegard5151]

Must have been.

[@letsgomets07]

Is Joe Morgan calling this game? And if so why? Lou was goat

[@SteveRay-es9gk]

GOAT to HERO, who did Sweet Lou did? Sweet Lou went from GOAT to broke as a joker in Greensboro, NC living! Sweet Lou so broke now he can't afford a haircut! Sweet Lou went from a Rolls Royce to a tiny Nissan Altima! Sweet Lou is a broke joke!