This is sad indeed. I almost cried when I heard this news. When I was growing
up, Al Kaline and his number six was my favorite player. I always enjoyed
listening to him in the announcing phase as well. From what I understand he
was a very nice man. he went to Linda‘s church. And they asked him one day to
be a greeter and he said I would if you don’t tell anybody that I’m doing it.
He didn’t want people to show up there because he was there, he wanted them to
show up there to worship God. That’s the kind of person he was. RIP Al. Heaven
has received another good angel. Take care and God bless all of you. Tony 1978
and Linda
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 6, 2020, at 6:17 PM, Lucy Edmonds <lucyjean11@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Oh my gosh, this is so sad! He has been a major part of the Tigers team for
so many years, he will definitely be missed.
Lucy edmonds
On Apr 6, 2020, at 6:08 PM, Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Wow! This is really a big loss, such a true Tiger. I remember his son Mark
used to be a sports anchor at WILX, channel 10, here in Lansing in the
1980's.
I remember my Dad and I tried to meet him at a Seattle Mariners game, but he
wouldn't talk to us -- but Ernie came down. I got mentioned along with my
employer, because I gave him my business card because we didn't have an
extra piece of paper to write our names down for him.
I also remember later Dad and I drove to a satellite dish dealer in Spokane
and got them to bring up the Tigers broadcast so we could watch George Kell
and Al Kaline.
Steve
Class of '72
Al Kaline dies at 85 on April 6, 2020
DETROIT -- Al Kaline, one of the most beloved players ever to wear the
Detroit Tigers uniform, died on Monday. He was 85. Tigers general manager Al
Avila confirmed the news to MLive Media Group. Kaline's death was first
reported by the Detroit Free Press.
The Baltimore native made his debut with the Tigers in 1953 as a fresh-faced
18-year-old without having played a single game in the minor leagues. He
would play for the club for the next 22 seasons .
Dubbed "Mr. Tiger," Kaline hit more home runs -- 399 -- than any Tiger in
club history and his 3,007 hits are second only to Ty Cobb .
Kaline was an All-Star in 13 consecutive years beginning in 1955, when he
hit .340 and became the youngest player to win the American League batting
title. His All-Star streak was snapped in 1968, but Kaline's consolation was
his only World Series championship of his career.
As a defender, he was considered among the game's best, winning 10 Gold
Gloves as he patrolled right field in Tiger Stadium.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1980,
Kaline remained active with the Tigers after his playing career. He served
as a television commentator on team broadcasts for 17 years and later was an
adviser to the general managers Dave Dombrowski and Al Avila.
Kaline continued to be active well into his 80s, suiting up and taking the
field at times during spring training. He was a popular presence in the
clubhouse -- even around young players born long after his career was over.
"Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many," wrote former
Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander , who is likely to join Kaline in the Hall
of Fame after his playing career. "I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our
conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time. I
am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years."
Kaline is survived by his wife, Madge Louise Hamilton, who he married in
1954 and sons Mark and Michael.
More coming soon...
