The Dynamic Duo...

**RedRamage** · 12-08-2012, 11:44 PM

Okay, put on your thinking caps, and gaze 20 years into the future.

When you think of the Detroit Tigers dynamic duo... the famous two-some, who will it be that you think about? Will it be Lou and Tram? Or will it be Cabby and Prince?

**tiger337** · 12-08-2012, 11:57 PM

Whitaker and Trammell without a doubt. They were a homegrown keystone combo that was together for 19 years. They took me from high school to my thirties. I don't think anybody will ever top them for me.

**Yoda** · 12-09-2012, 12:19 AM

Depends on what era you grew up in.

**STLTiger69** · 12-09-2012, 02:39 AM

Victor Jose Martinez and Haven Fielder?

lol....

**Antrat** · 12-09-2012, 08:36 AM

Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford.

**TigersSlappy** · 12-09-2012, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by tiger337

Whitaker and Trammell without a doubt. They were a homegrown keystone combo that was together for 19 years. They took me from high school to my thirties. I don't think anybody will ever top them for me.

Same here though for me it was college to thirties, Lolich & Freehan/Kaline would be close for me though. As a team the '68 group is still closest to my heart.

**ROMAD1** · 12-09-2012, 09:13 AM

Greenberg and Gehringer had a pretty good run

**john doe** · 12-09-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by tiger337

Whitaker and Trammell without a doubt. They were a homegrown keystone combo that was together for 19 years. They took me from high school to my thirties. I don't think anybody will ever top them for me.

This....beyond any reasonable doubt! Indisputable.

**Danjo** · 12-09-2012, 10:31 AM

Lennon/McCartney

**Shinzaki** · 12-09-2012, 10:33 AM

Lou and Tram...

My daughter LOVED Magglio and Curtis back in the 2007/2008 days. Now she's all about JV, Prince and Miggy. We occasionally try to mimic the Miggy/Price high five ritual

**Tim Mitchell** · 12-09-2012, 10:38 AM

Kobernus and Lobstein.

**tiger337** · 12-09-2012, 10:44 AM

What era you grew up in is part of it, but I think it's more than that. Whitaker and Trammell were linked as teenagers in Double-A all the way through Whitaker's retirement at age 38. They were both very good (and equally very good) for a long time and were the longest running double play combo in history. I can't think of one without thinking about the other. I'm not sure I've ever read an article about one of them without the other being mentioned. I actually think that they are so tightly linked, that HoF voters think of them as a duo rather than judge them on their individual merits and I believe this has hurt them.

Cabrera and Fielder might wind up being better than Whitaker/Trammell, but they are two great hitters who did not play on the same team until they were already in their primes. I think they are thought of more as two great hitters rather than a duo. That could change over time, but I don't think they will ever be as unique as Whitaker/Trammell.

**Mr.TaterSalad** · 12-09-2012, 11:01 AM

Higginson/Nieves!

**Gehringer_2** · 12-09-2012, 11:25 AM

Kaline and Colavito!

**Antrat** · 12-09-2012, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mr.TaterSalad

Higginson/Nieves!

What's sad is that I actually thought those two would be awesome.

**apabruce** · 12-09-2012, 12:07 PM

When I started following the Tigers, it was Kaline and Kuenn. They were the K boys on the baseball card. Kuenn was rookie of the year in 1953, Kaline won the batting title in 1955, and Kuenn won it in 1959.

Even with that, I'd have to say the best duo was Trammell and Whitaker, for all the reasons stated above. Not only were they great players, but they were playing positions that we normally think of in terms of "duo."

**rhino** · 12-09-2012, 12:24 PM

Fidrych and Kimm

**Gehringer_2** · 12-09-2012, 12:33 PM

My dad used to talk about Rogell and Gehringer, but Whittaker and Trammell were together nearly twice as long.

**chasfh** · 12-09-2012, 01:26 PM

Tim Corcoran and Jim Lentine.

**ErieTigerFan** · 12-09-2012, 02:30 PM

Deivi Cruz / Damion Easley?

**catswithbats** · 12-09-2012, 03:18 PM

Infante and Santiago. Infantiago forever!

**tiger337** · 12-09-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by rhino

Fidrych and Kimm

That's a good one.

**TheCouga** · 12-09-2012, 04:40 PM

I think Cabrera/Fielder could very well spend 10 years together here. If they end up winning 2 or 3 World Series together, people's opinions may change.

**john doe** · 12-09-2012, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Danjo

Lennon/McCartney

Agree with this one too +1

**tiger337** · 12-09-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by TheCouga

I think Cabrera/Fielder could very well spend 10 years together here. If they end up winning 2 or 3 World Series together, people's opinions may change.

Mine won't!

I will probably think of the whole team differently if they win a couple of WS over the next 10 years, but I won't really see Cabrera/Fielder as a unique duo especially if one of them ends up moving to DH.

**TheCouga** · 12-09-2012, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by tiger337

Mine won't!

I will probably think of the whole team differently if they win a couple of WS over the next 10 years, but I won't really see Cabrera/Fielder as a unique duo especially if one of them ends up moving to DH.

That's true...if one moves to DH, it would be less cool. I'm not sold on either one moving to DH, though. I think they're fine where they are if we can actually find some good MI with superior range to compliment them.

**Mr. Bigglesworth** · 12-10-2012, 08:10 AM

Rich Becker and Jose Macias

**Yoda** · 12-10-2012, 08:25 AM

Neifi Perez and Macay McBride.

**Biff Mayhem** · 12-10-2012, 08:33 AM

Rod and Mario

Sorry, now I feel dirty.

**roarintiger1** · 12-10-2012, 10:22 AM

Might as well say Batman and Robin........it would matter about the same.

**TonyJM** · 12-10-2012, 11:43 AM

Tram and Lou with a slight edge over Fick and Weaver.

**John_Brian_K** · 12-10-2012, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by RedRamage

Okay, put on your thinking caps, and gaze 20 years into the future.

When you think of the Detroit Tigers dynamic duo... the famous two-some, who will it be that you think about? Will it be Lou and Tram? Or will it be Cabby and Prince?

This depends on 2 things for me.

1. Does Miggy resign and do they play together the full 9 years?
2. How many championships do they win? HAS to be at least one to be in the discussion IMO.

Assuming Miggy resigns and the Tigers go on to win 2 or more championships in that 9 year span it would be tough to argue it.

**Yoda** · 12-10-2012, 12:43 PM

I don't think not winning a WS would have lessened the memories people have of Trammell and Whittaker all that much. Just getting to the playoffs a few times will go a long way in remembering certain players.

**tiger337** · 12-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Yoda

I don't think not winning a WS would have lessened the memories people have of Trammell and Whittaker all that much. Just getting to the playoffs a few times will go a long way in remembering certain players.

yeah, it wouldn't have changed it at all for me. Same thing now. If the Tigers never win a championship with Cabrera and Verlander, I'm still going to remember them as the best Tigers players of my lifetime.

**john doe** · 12-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Lenny Green and Jim Landis?

**RedRamage** · 12-11-2012, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by TheCouga

I think Cabrera/Fielder could very well spend 10 years together here. If they end up winning 2 or 3 World Series together, people's opinions may change.

This is sorta what I was thinking when I made the thread. Lou and Tram definitely have the years and yes, they played at positions that are thought of as 'duo'. And, at least in my opinion, are both HOF worthy, if perhaps just barely.

But, on the other hand: They only made the post season twice, and only won the WS once. And they are only border-line HOF players. I think Cabby is a lock for the HOF (baring a sudden career ending injury or some other fluke happening), and I think Price will be as worst border-line HOF when all is said and done. Plus while they don't play "duo" positions like Lou and Tram did in the keystone combo, they appear to be good friends while Lou and Tram didn't ever appear to be friends. (To be fair, Lou was always a reserved guy so maybe the reality is that Tram and Lou were as close as Cabby and Prince appear to be, but appearances still matter to the fans, and the friendship that seems to exists between Cabby and Prince is very evident on the field.)

So:
Lou and Tram -> Many, many more years together. Won a WS together. Played natural "duo" positions. Near HOF careers.
Cabby and Prince -> Very evident friendship, likely to both be in the HOF.

Right now, Lou and Tram have the edge, no question. But let's say Cabby and Prince are together at least another 7 years. Let's say they help the Tigers win 2 or 3 WS. Let's say that Fielder and Cabby's careers turn into sure thing HOF careers. I think if those things happen Cabby and Prince could replace Lou and Tram.

**RedRamage** · 12-11-2012, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by TheCouga

That's true...if one moves to DH, it would be less cool. I'm not sold on either one moving to DH, though. I think they're fine where they are if we can actually find some good MI with superior range to compliment them.

Jeez man... twice in one thread that I have to agree with you. I better head over to the political forum so we can be on opposite sides of the issues again.

**tiger337** · 12-11-2012, 12:46 PM

Cabrera is a slam dunk HoF guy, but Fielder has a long way to go before he approaches the HoF worthiness of Whitaker and Trammell. I wouldn't call him a probable Hall of Famer at this point.

As far as post-season appearances go, making the post season was more difficult and special back in the 80s when only two teams from each league made it. If the Tigers start making the post season on a regular basis which is very possible, it could get to the point where fans expect it and will need a championship to get satisfaction out of it. If they don't win championships, the average fan might blame Cabrera and Fielder for not being clutch. In that case, the post-season appearances could influence how they are remembered in a negative way.

**RedRamage** · 12-11-2012, 01:01 PM

[QUOTE=tiger337;2849970]Cabrera is a slam dunk HoF guy, but Fielder has a long way to go before he approaches the HoF worthiness of Whitaker and Trammell. I wouldn't call him a probable Hall of Famer at this point.[quote]
Really? I mean, right now, yeah he's not there. But I think he's "on track" for a HOF career. In the seven years he's been playing, he's been to four All-Star games. Has 3 silver slugging awards, and been in the top 5 MVP votes three times. If we assume 30 more HR per year (his average is over 36, but bigger park now) for eight more years, he'll end up with 500 HR. He may not be a shoe in, but I think he'll have a very respectable career and likely get in the HOF.

As far as post-season appearances go, making the post season was more difficult and special back in the 80s when only two teams from each league made it.

Don't disagree with that, but on the other hand, two post-season appearance will be trumped by 5 or 6, even if it is easier to get in.

If the Tigers start making the post season on a regular basis which is very possible, it could get to the point where fans expect it and will need a championship to get satisfaction out of it. If they don't win championships, the average fan might blame Cabrera and Fielder for not being clutch. In that case, the post-season appearances could influence how they are remembered in a negative way.

You do have a real point there. I think there has to be at least two championships before we start talking about them as the new duo for the Tigers.

**T&P_Fan** · 12-11-2012, 01:33 PM

I didn't start watching the Tigers til around 2003. I never saw Whitaker and Trammel play, so at this point they really aren't play for me.

I would say Verlander/Cabrera. They both dominate the game in completely different ways and have been together for 5 full seasons now. The generation of baseball I follow started right around the time the Tigers signed Pudge, I paid attention prior to that, but not an obsession like it is now. I just want to see a world series victory.