Al Kaline R.I.P.
bighurt2000
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Just saw this at CBSSPORTS.COM
Hall of Famer and Detroit Tigers icon Al Kaline died Monday at 85. Kaline grew up in Baltimore and made his MLB debut as an 18-year-old in 1953. He played 22 seasons in the big leagues, all with the Tigers.
He is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (2,834) and home runs (399). He ranks second to Ty Cobb in most other offensive categories, including hits (3,007) and total bases (4,852).
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement remembering Kaline:
"Many of us who are fortunate enough to work in Baseball have our short lists of the players who mean the most to us. Al Kaline was one of those players for me and countless others, making this a very sad day for our sport. A lifelong Tiger, Al was a true gentleman and one of the National Pastime's most universally respected figures. I appreciated his friendship, humility and the example that he always set for others since he debuted as an 18-year-old rookie.
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Al's wife, Louise, their family and friends, his admirers and the generations of Tiger fans who looked up to him."
The Tigers scout who signed him out of Southern High School, Ed Katalinas, once said of Kaline: "To me he was the prospect that a scout creates in his mind and then prays that someone will come along to fit the pattern."
At Katalinas' desperate urging, the Tigers signed Kaline soon after his high school graduation to a $15,000 bonus and a $20,000 salary for each of his first three seasons. In accordance with the "bonus baby" rules of the time, the Tigers, because of the size of Kaline's bonus, were required to keep him on the major-league roster for at least two full seasons.
In 1953, Kaline made just 30 plate appearances for Detroit, but the following season he emerged as the regular right fielder. While he didn't produce at a high level as a 19-year-old, he showed the Tigers enough to stick. The following year, in 1955, he enjoyed one of his best seasons, batting .340 with 200 hits, 27 home runs, 82 walks (against 57 strikeouts), and 321 total bases. Kaline finished runner-up to Yogi Berra in the AL MVP balloting and would never play a game in the minors.
From 1955-67, Kaline was selected to the All-Star Game in 13 consecutive seasons, and he received MVP votes in 14 different seasons. Kaline never did win an MVP, though he finished in the top five of the voting four times, including second-place finishes twice. He also won 10 Gold Gloves and was regarded as a brilliant defensive right fielder.
Kaline retired as a career .297/.376/.480 hitter and was fifth on the all-time hits list and 16th on the all-time home runs list when he called it a career. He ranks 42nd all-time with 92.8 WAR. Kaline won a World Series ring in 1968 and went 16 for 48 (.333) with three home runs in 12 career postseason games.
Following his retirement, Kaline broadcast Tigers games from 1976-2002, and also spent time in the front office as a special assistant. In all, "Mr. Tiger" spent more than 60 years with the organization. He was voted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, receiving 88.3 percent of the vote in 1980. Kaline is one of six players with a statue outside Comerica Park.
Comments
Very sad news - Rest in peace Mr Tiger. Unfortunately we are likely to lose many legends in this difficult time. No idea if this was from coronavirus or not - but there are less and less players that are associated with only one team. Not many ballplayers have been able to hold their own as a teenager. Sad to hear the news today.
So sad to hear this news.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Sad day indeed. RIP!!! A great baseball player and a great gentleman. A huge loss for the motor city.
RIP Mr Kaline what a life !
Rip MR Kaline
To win a batting title at 20 is a feat that every kid dreams of.
It’s a sad time and a sad day...
My best example. RIP.
Kris
My 1971 Topps adventure - Davis Men in Black
RIP
Another one of the good guy's departing. RIP.
RIP, A true legend and a man of class.
A true gentleman and class act on and off the field.
Sad day for baseball and the world.
RIP
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
sad news. a great Tiger
RIP
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
Used to love to see the Tigers play on the Saturday game of the week back in the 60's and early 70's just so I could watch Kaline play. Thanks for the memories. RIP.
RIP Mr. Kaline.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
So sad to hear of the passing of such an all-around classy guy loved by all. He will always be the true Face of the Franchise (clearly so much more so than Cobb could ever be). The legends of Mr. Hockey and Mr. Tiger are together.
Al was my boyhood hero and remembering jumping for joy when I got my first Card of him as a 9 yr old kid back in mid summer 1959.Being card #390 it took half the summer to get it.
Al was class and never controversial .He would be in the Mt Rushmore of Detroit’s greatest players all sports.
My first game I ever attended was on May 22 1960 a double header and always kept the box score.
Do you know Al once refused 100,000 from the tigers saying he was not worth that kind of money.He almost traded to the Yankees for the Mick. Only one player today will emulate Al’s skills and kindness Mike Trout.IMO.
RIP my hero.There will never be one like you again.
A little before my time, but loved hearing my dad talk about him.
Had a very clear, readable signature as well.
Kaline Debut