MLB Players, Writers Mourn the Death of Detroit Tigers Great Al Kaline
Al Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder, has died at the age of 85. Kaline played 22 seasons, all with the Detroit Tigers. He was an 18-time All-Star, won 10 Gold Gloves and was on the 1968 Tigers team that won the World Series. He was one of the greatest athletes in Detroit sports history.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Kaline signed with the Detroit Tigers the day after he graduated high school and made his MLB debut at 18. He then played until he was 39, collecting 3,007 hits and 399 home runs along the way. Upon retiring, he took on color commentating duties for Tigers television broadcasts until 2002, when he shifted to Detroit's front office, where he worked for the last 18 years.
Just about everyone around baseball has something nice to say about Kaline in the wake of his passing.
Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many. 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. R.I.P. Mr Tiger, Al Kaline.
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) April 6, 2020
Wow... RIP to Al Kaline. An incredible Detroit legend and sports icon.
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) April 6, 2020
Al Kaline always felt like baseball royalty to me. The way he carried himself and the way he made his mark on the field as a Hall of Fame player. You just knew you were around somebody special. You felt it. RIP Al.
— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) April 6, 2020
Heartbreaking. Al Kaline is one of the most wonderful and classiest gentlemen you'll ever want to meet. A huge loss for the baseball world. To anyone who had the pleasure of knowing the man absolutely loved him. RIP, Mr. Kaline. https://t.co/BYhXlLvZhH
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 6, 2020
Sad to hear we’ve lost a beloved member of our HOF family one of the nicest and sincere I’ve ever met Al Kaline you will be dearly missed my friend thoughts and prayers go out Louise and family RIP Al ?
— Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) April 6, 2020
Tigers' great Al Kaline died today at age 85. An 18-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner, Kaline retired shortly after recording his 3,000th hit in 1974 and joined the Tigers' broadcasting team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2020
Al Kaline, a baseball legend and the nicest Hall of Famer you could imagine. RIP
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 6, 2020
I had only had the pleasure of one true conversation with Al Kaline. It was for a story on the last night at Tiger Stadium. Kaline was graceful and poignant as you would expect.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 6, 2020
“It really was,” he said, “one of the best nights of my life.”https://t.co/LXOx7Awc4y
Southern High grad, Baltimore and Detroit legend and just a super nice guy. Had the pleasure of sitting with him for dinner a couple times at Camden Yards press lounge. Won’t forget those opportunities. RIP Al Kaline. https://t.co/A9dXYT1szH
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) April 6, 2020
I remember playing as Al Kaline in an N64 video game growing up on the "Cooperstown Legends". Never met the man but only heard amazing things about him personally and the way he played. RIP to a legend.
— Pat Light (@Pat_Light) April 6, 2020