The Modern Era committee announced their 2019 Hall of Fame selections Sunday evening, and the Detroit Tigers and their fans have reason to be upset. Longtime Tigers great Lou Whitaker didn’t really come close, as the committee selected former MLBPA union head Marvin Miller and catcher Ted Simmons to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
The news is surprising as Whitaker’s candidacy is well justified by his career numbers, and the selection of former teammates Jack Morris and Alan Trammell two years ago lent renewed momentum to the cause. Whitaker has a ring, a Rookie of the Year award, and more career WAR earned than any other player on the ballot by a fairly wide margin.