He was known as Mr. Tiger as he represented the team for over 60 years as a player, announcer and special assistant to the front office. He was a great player, he could do it all, hit, run, field and throw a ball like a bullet. Through it all he was not arrogant, he was humble, charming, gracious and an all around nice guy to everyone--he was a class act that many athletes today should learn from. I saw him play many games as a kid, including the 1968 World Series and his last game in 1974. As a kid I was in awe of him, as he was my hero and I could not bring myself to ask for an autograph but I did waive to him and he looked at me, smiled and waived back and that meant everything to me and still does. Hard for me to think of my hero, a baseball legend as gone but I try to live up to the same ideals he lived, by being gracious to others and humble by paying that forward so his memory will live on by those actions. Looking at the many tributes of my hero Mr. Tiger, I have shed many tears, like I did for my Dad when he passed as there will never be another one like him. It's ironic to point out that #6 passed away (or we found out) on April 6 but I look at as God called his number to come home since baseball has been called off due to the COVID 19 crisis. I think Al would be okay with that because he was always at the ballpark encouraging others and I am sure if he couldn't do that he would miss it too much by being forced to stay home. RIP Mr. Kaline, you will be greatly missed and thank you for letting me love the game.
A bone disease he contracted in childhood caused a deformity in his left foot which bothered him during his career, especially after age 30, an injury so painful that he described it as a toothache in the heel. To be able to play 22 years at the top level of excellence and attain those great numbers is a testament of courage. God bless you Mr Kaline, a true Hall Of Famer in the diamond and in life. Blessings from San Juan PR.
As a young boy growing up in upstate New York in the 1950s and 1960s, I resented New York City for some reason (the best I can remember is that it got more attention than my hometown area). I was obsessed with baseball and discovered that, while the Yankees usually won the pennant, the Tigers often beat them during the regular season, so I following the Tigers, listening to Ernie Harwell announce the games on WJR radio. Kaline soon became my favorite player and my father would take me to Yankee Stadium at least once a year to see the Tigers play - and usually beat - the Yankees. Kaline was wonderful to watch, at bat, on the bases and especially in the field. He always seemed an unassuming, nice man, too, off the field. My thoughts go out to his family and to Tigers fans everywhere.
Whofan 1000, thx for that story. Reading that brought back so many special memories. So thank you sir!! Hearts & prayers to every Tiger fan & Al Kaline's family & RIP #6. I know that nobody's gonna run around up there with you in RF.⚾
September 24, 1974 I was at my best friend's house in SW Detroit. Suddenly there was great joy in the living room and we ran to see what was going on. "Al Kaline became the 12th Major League player with 3,000 hits" scrolled across the screen. I was a 9 year old kid that didn't know baseball - but I can point to that exact moment in time when I became a Tigers fan for life. RIP #6. You'll always be #1 to me.
He is before my time, but every time I saw him interviewed he came across as a 1st class guy. Baltimore guy also, so while the Tiger fans morn him to a greater degree we in Baltimore also morn this hometown legend. Condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP Mr. Kaline.
I wasn't born when Al Kaline played baseball, but he played all 22 years with just one team the Detroit Tigers. I look at his history from watching videos and looking at his stats, and he was very inspiring.
Just a class act. He hit 379 in the 1968 world series, facing Bob Gibson in 3 of those games. He also drove in 8 RBIs in that series. He was a great fielder, he had a cannon of a throwing arm and he had speed and could steal a base. I grew up into little league watching him and I played ball as a young man still watching him for 22 years. Just a class act.
Every kid I knew in my neighborhood who had a Tiger tee shirt had #6 ironed onto it. The only athlete I ever shed an actual tear for when I learned of his passing. RIP Al, Detroit and all Tiger fans will love you forever.
I've been a National League fan since '52............from the Brooklyn Bums to present day LA Dodgers. But, I always thought that Al Kaline was one of the best all around ballplayers I ever saw play. When the Dodgers left Brooklyn, I would go to Yankee Stadium to root AGAINST the Bronx Bombers! I would get a 75 cent bleacher seat (I was 14, 15) and then go down to the right field seats in the later innings. Kaline played right field as well as Carl Furillo, of my beloved Bums. He NEVER missed the cutoff man. Actually Roger Maris was a good right fielder, too! And, of course, Kaline was a solid hitter. RIP Al, you were a "top shelf" ballplayer...for sure Jim Farrell
I watched Al play at Tiger Stadium for many years starting in 1962 when I was just 11 years old. I would sit in the right field stands and watch him make great plays and throw people out who were trying for extra bases. He was my boyhood sports idol and role model. So sad to hear of his passing but he will never be forgotten.
Having grown up in the Detroit area in the 50s, Al was our hero! I remember a leaping catch he made to rob someone of a home run. We kids practiced that play for years! "Throw me a Kaline ball"!
Great player but it's easy to get overshadowed when you're playing in the same era as Mantle, Mays and Hank Aaron he also played in the same time as Roberto Clemente who had one of the best arms ever so he was just overshadowed by some really talented players but was one of the greatest to play
He was also very humble. Supposedly, there was an incident where some kid said to him, "You're not as good as Mickey Mantle," to which Kaline replied, "Kid, no one is."
My father knew the man ! He was a bartender in Lakeland, Florida in the early 60’s ( Tigers spring training ) and in May of 1968 when Oakland opened The historic Coliseum Nick Sr took me with my Godfather to a game vs The A’s ( I was just 5 but the memory is like I was 15 🌈. Sr. Also knew Norm Cash well and we met the would be CHAMPS after the game at The Edgewater Hotel where the Detroit Tigers signed a baseball for Nick’s little boy that now classic night ✨. I have it in a case and in very good condition, all in different color ink as each had there own pens , Mr Tiger , Eddie Mathews, Billy Martin, Denny McLain , Bill Freehand ,Mayo Smith , Wille Horton , Mickey Lolich , Jim Northrop ,just to name a few..22 signatures in all ,⭐️ ) the older I get the more sentimental I get remembering that night 52 long years ago 💞
You heard the narrator cite 399 career homers. I was in Briggs Stadium when Al hit what would have given him 400. He slid safely into home for an inside the parker. Minutes later it was overruled as a triple and an error. We fans were not amused.
