MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time
Detroit Tigers. Lou Whitaker. 28. player. 63. . 1977-1995
In 19 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Lou Whitaker compiled a .276/.363/.426 slash that included 2,369 hits, 244 home runs and 1,084 RBI in 2,390 games. And though he spent chunks of his career hitting in the second or third spots in the order, he hit leadoff 911 times for the Tigers, which is the most in franchise history. Whitaker also holds Detroit’s all-time marks with 1,069 hits, 622 runs, 103 home runs and 414 RBI at the top of the order.
He’s also a Detroit legend, and his time as the franchise’s leadoff role is a fond memory for many Tiger fans. As Dan Holmes put it:
"One of the things that made it a Tigers game in the 1980s was the sight of Lou Whitaker tip-toeing to the batters’ box in the first inning to lead off the game for Detroit. #1 on the back of his jersey and #1 in the lineup, Sweet Lou was an excellent leadoff hitter, spending about half his career in that role for the Bengals."
Whitaker did not possess world-class speed – in fact, he only once stole 20 bases in a season, as a 22-year old in 1979 – but he was a great option atop the lineup card because he was a patient hitter that drew 1,197 walks during his career, which means he walked 98 more times than he struck out.
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