Last December, the Detroit Tigers announced that Lou Whitaker’s famous No. 1 would be retired this August. The long overdue decision was welcomed by Tigers fans everywhere. Twenty-one players have worn a Tigers jersey with that number on the back. The first was Harvey “Hubby” Walker.
According to Baseball-Reference.com info, 1931 was the first season that the Tigers sported uniform numbers. Oddly enough, a Detroit Free Press article about changes the team would be making to its uniforms that season didn’t mention the addition of numerals.
Tigers fans in 1931 were introduced to Harvey Walker and his younger brother Gerald (nicknamed “Gee”), when the two rookie outfielders were spring training invitees.