Trammell to be Lou's bench coach

[CubinNY]

I REALLY like the idea of Alan Trammell in the dugout everyday, available to help the infielders with defense, available to help the hitters learn some plate discipline. I'd have been happy with him as the hitting coach, too. Though I'm hoping Von Joshua gets that job.

 

Trammell and Whitaker may well be the most underrated double-play combo in big league history. Don't understand why, it's not like Detroit is a small market team with no history or fan base. And they have a ring together. Weird.

 

My theory is that they played just before the steriod era. Trammell and Ripken were the best of their generation at their and both deserve to be in the HOF.

 

However, since the steriod era people people forget how productive Trammell was.

 

It's a shame.

[Backtobanks]

Maz only got in because of his WS-winning HR. That's pretty much about it.

 

That shows why Santo isn't in the HOF.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think Jim Leyland is getting all the credit in Detroit for inheriting a team that Trammell helped establish

 

True.

[Neuby]

I wish there was a spot on this staff for a guy like Kirk Gibson another guy that lights a fire under his players.

[NorthsideAvenger]

He's the greatest non-all star lead off hitter in RBI baseball.

 

He's also one of, if not THE best shortstop not in the HOF.

 

Agrred. And then you take in account the numbers of 2 current HOFers who play SS, and compare them with Trammell's:

 

.260/.299/.367

.262/.337/.328

.285/.352/.415

 

First line is Bill Mazeroski (yeah, a REAL HOF statline, ain't it)

Second line is Ozzie Smith (HTH do you have a higher OBP then slg?)

 

Third line is Alan Trammell. Alan is CLEARLY better then both Ozzie and Bill, and those two boneheads are in the HOF and Trammell is not? Apparently Alan Trammell has what Sandberg had, and what Santo currently have, the disdain of Joe Morgan. Becuase if Maz and Smith are HOFers, then according to that logic, Trammell would be an elite of the HOF.

 

I thought Mazerowski was a second baseman?

 

Does it matter? He's still not a HOFer.

[CuseCubFan69]

I wish there was a spot on this staff for a guy like Kirk Gibson another guy that lights a fire under his players.

 

I think it's good to have the good cop bad cop type of situation. I'm sure Lou will have enough fire to cover all the coaching staff.

[Chris]

The press release:

 

CUBS NAME ALAN TRAMMELL BENCH COACH

Monday, October 23, 2006

 

 

The Chicago Cubs today announced that six-time American League All-Star shortstop Alan Trammell has agreed to a two-year deal to be the Cubs bench coach and infield instructor.

 

Trammell, 48, spent his 20-year Major League career with the Detroit Tigers (1977-1996) amassing a .285 batting average with 185 home runs and 1,003 RBI in 2,293 games, fifth-most in Tigers history.

 

“We are extremely happy to add Alan to the staff. His credentials on the field as a player, instructor and coach speak for themselves,” said Cubs Vice President and General Manager Jim Hendry. “He will be an invaluable person for Lou Piniella to lean on during the game and he brings a special expertise in working with our infielders.”

 

At the time of his retirement in 1996, Trammel had more career home runs (185) and a higher fielding percentage (.977) than any Hall-of-Fame shortstop. He turned 1,321 double plays in his career, mostly with teammate Lou Whitaker.

 

Trammell was named to the American League All-Star team in 1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990. He won four Gold Glove awards at shortstop (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984) and three Silver Slugger awards as the top offensive shortstop (1987, 1988, 1990).

 

In 1984, Trammell led the Tigers to their most recent World Series title, hitting .450 (9-for-20) with two home runs and six RBI in five games en route to MVP honors against San Diego.

 

Trammell most recently managed the Detroit Tigers from 2003-2005, posting a 186-300 (.383) mark. Prior to that, he served as the first base coach for the San Diego Padres from 2000-2002 after one season as the Tigers hitting coach in 1999.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Alan Trammell >> Dick Pole.

[CuseCubFan69]

Alan Trammell >> Dick Pole.

 

Door Knob>>>>Dick Pole

[E.J.]

Awesome. Good signing. I'm still interested in who they pick to be the hitting coach.

[b_wiggy_66]

Good signing. Someone with managing experience who was a quality player in their day.

[JeffH]

Trammell for starting shortstop.

 

Izturis for bench coach.

[YearofDaCubs]

I like this move.

[oldcubsfan]

I think it's a very good move. The funny part is that ALL the so-called beat writers got scooped by a NY paper. Paul Sullivan is a useless clown with a really bad dye job. He just needs the bright red nose to replace Bozo. He is useless without Stone, Grace and Girardi feeding him all the "off the record" stuff.

[Milli1306]

Trammell for starting shortstop.

 

Izturis for bench coach.

 

 

Seconded

[Scott G. F.]

In their day Trammel and Sandberg would have been the dream team middle infield.

 

Trammel at SS pre-dated what the SS has now become. Trammel was a throw back to a older generation of SS men where today they look for power at SS. Tramm. was a RBI and OBP guy that got things going on the bases. He personfide the "small ball" game.

 

He's very knowledgable about the game and in game situations. I am not sure he can communicate them very well, but as bench coach he might be given the time to really work with our players and work on that aspect.

 

He's not a blow hard and he's perfect for behind the scenes.

 

As an Aside:

His double play teammate Lou Whitaker, The Tigers Players rep., lost a ton of creditability when he showed up during the Players strike to talk with the League arriving in a limo. Nothing says I need more money then showing up in a Limo. Needless to say Donald Feir told him not to show up again. He he.