One of the remaining members of the Detroit Tigers 1968 World Series team, Al Kaline died today in the Detroit area at the age of 85. He was the youngest player to win the AL batting title at age 20 in 1955, ripping .340 that year. He finished his Hall of Fame career with a .297 average with 3007 hits and 399 homers.
I saw him many times playing his right field, and I do mean his right field, shagging the impossible drives over his head and throwing the ball with effortless precision. I used to watch him practice before the game. His throws to any base were always in the air, no bounces for Al, and carried in a straight line, like a bullet, rather than the arc that most players threw.
He was 85. Although he retired in 1974 and became a Tigers broadcaster until 2002, it seems like he will forever be Mr. Tiger. RIP Al.
I saw him many times playing his right field, and I do mean his right field, shagging the impossible drives over his head and throwing the ball with effortless precision. I used to watch him practice before the game. His throws to any base were always in the air, no bounces for Al, and carried in a straight line, like a bullet, rather than the arc that most players threw.
He was 85. Although he retired in 1974 and became a Tigers broadcaster until 2002, it seems like he will forever be Mr. Tiger. RIP Al.