WHEREAS, Louis Rodman Whitaker, Jr., an elite second baseman hailing from Martinsville who played 19 seasons with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball, will have his number officially retired by his former club in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Louis "Lou" Whitaker, known affectionately among fans as "Sweet Lou," grew up in Martinsville and was a member of the Martinsville High School Class of 1975; and
WHEREAS, Lou Whitaker was selected by the Detroit Tigers as the 99th overall selection in the 1975 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft and was called up by the team two years later, winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1978 after recording a .285 batting average and 71 runs; and
WHEREAS, a five-time MLB All-Star who won four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards, Lou Whitaker is fondly remembered as one of the best defensive second basemen of his generation, posting an impressive career fielding percentage of .984; and
WHEREAS, over 19 seasons and 2,390 games, Lou Whitaker amassed a .276 career batting average and a .363 career on-base percentage, including 244 home runs, 1,084 runs-batted-in, 2,369 hits, 420 doubles, 65 triples, and 143 stolen bases; and
WHEREAS, Lou Whitaker's commitment to the Detroit Tigers extended beyond his career on the diamond as he spent several years in retirement serving as a hitting instructor during the team's spring training sessions in Florida; and
WHEREAS, to honor his nearly two decades of stellar play on behalf of the organization, the Detroit Tigers have announced plans to retire Lou Whitaker's number in 2022, allowing countless future fans to reflect upon his legacy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Louis Rodman Whitaker, Jr., All-Star second baseman of the Detroit Tigers and beloved member of the Martinsville community, on the occasion of his number being retired by the Detroit Tigers; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Louis Rodman Whitaker, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his achievements.