He was Mr. Tiger, and more.
Detroit and all of the sports world is mourning the death of Al Kaline. Tributes are pouring in.
The legendary number 6 played for more than two decades, was elected to the Hall of Fame, and became a broadcaster and special assistant to the team in retirement. Kaline died at the age of 85 according to his family. Cause of death was not disclosed.
Kaline started playing for Detroit at 18 years old out of high school in Baltimore in 1953.
2 years later, he won the batting title.
He went on to become the 12th player in major league history to reach 3-thousand hits. His total was 3,007 hits.
Kaline made the All-Star Game every season from 1955-1967, and again in 1971 and 1974. He won the Gold Glove 10 times.
He played the most games in a Detroit Tigers uniform, 2,834, leads in career home runs with 399, and is second in RBIs with 1,583.
He helped Detroit win the 1968 World Series, hitting .379 with two home runs and eight RBIs. It was Kaline’s only World Series.
His number 6 was the first number retired by the Tigers.
He spent nearly 70 years in the Tigers organization.
He was asked what his goals were. He said his only desire was to be a baseball player.
There is no information for any future services for Al Kaline. But you can expect plans to be made to honor him.
Al Kaline, the real Tiger King.
