Hall of Fame outfielder and Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline dies at 85

[Wednesdays]

Source: ESPN

Al Kaline, a Hall of Famer who played all 22 years of his career in Detroit, earning the nickname "Mr. Tiger,"  died Monday, a team official confirmed to ESPN. Kaline was 85.

Kaline, an All-Star in 15 seasons and a 10-time Gold Glove winner in right field, retired shortly after recording his 3,000 hit in 1974 and joined the Tigers' broadcasting team. He continued to work for the Tigers after his retirement from the booth in 2002.

He became the first Tiger to have his number retired, with the "No. 6" by which he was known in the clubhouse going up on the walls in 1980. He was also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame that year, his first on the ballot.

The cause of death was not immediately known, but the Detroit News reported that Kaline had recently suffered a stroke.

Read more: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29001986/hall-fame-outfielder-detroit-tigers-legend-al-kaline-dies-85

[Hassler]

1. One of my childhood sports heroes.

[brokephibroke]

2. He was a sports hero for all kids

Growing up in the 60s. Him and Boog Powell.

[Captain Zero]

4. As a 60s kid, your card collection needed Al Kaline

To be a true collection. No matter which team you rooted for. RIP #6

[maddogesq]

3. As a child growing up in suburban Detroit...

Kaline and the rest of the ‘68 Tigers were icons and role models. Because I couldn’t play Little League due to a visual impairment, I lived my baseball dreams through them.

2030, please go away...😢

[lastlib]

5. A great player--one I greatly admired!

My first memory of him was from the 1968 World Series. He had a home run, and scored on a double play in one game.

[Mendocino]

6. A great player

and a true gentleman. I don't follow sports anymore, but in the day... .

[Mendocino]

7. Mr. Tiger 3000

[link:

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[bucolic_frolic]

8. 1968 World Series

Never forget it.

[patphil]

9. Excellent player, very underrated in the age of Mantle, Mays and Aaron.

[DownriverDem]

10. Loved in Detroit

Great player! Mr. Baseball!

[GeorgeGist]

11. My favorite Tiger growing up. /nt

[Yeehah]

12. A true great of the game.

RIP

[tavernier]

13. I saw him play at the old stadium.

Same place I saw Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris play.
I’m really old.

RIP Mr. Tiger.

[Lord Ludd]

14. Kaline, (Norm) Cash, (Rocky) Colavito

Those 1961 Tigers gave my Yankees almost more than they could handle.
One of the best teams that failed to win the pennant.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. RIP, Al. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Had An Incorrect Nickname

When I was a kid he had, for a short time, the nickname "Salty". It was a play on his name which, take out the space, is alkaline. Thought it was clever when I was a kid.
Later I figured out that the vast majority of alkaline compounds are not salts.
My ejamacation ruined it for me!!!