By Damon Knight, Tribune Correspondent
On Monday, The Detroit Tigers and the game of baseball lost a living-legend in Al Kaline who died in his home in Bloomfield Hills at the age of 85. A close friend of the family reported the news to Free Press after speaking with Al’s youngest son, Mike. His health had been decaying over the past year. However, the cause of death is still unknown.
Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Illitch released a statement upon the news of the death of Al Kaline saying, “Baseball lost a titan today. Anyone who knew Al Kaline would describe his gentle soul and passion for baseball as an unbelievably powerful combination, making him one of the most respected players in Major League Baseball history. My mother, father and I cherished the special relationship we had with Al Kaline, who was a trusted advisor and dear friend for many years.”
“His dedication to Detroit was unparalleled and he was affectionately known as ‘Mr. Tiger’. His positive contributions to the sport will forever be realized by baseball fans everywhere. The impact of his life is wide-reaching, and he will be greatly missed by millions in Detroit, the state of Michigan and across the baseball community. On behalf of everyone in the Tigers organization and the Ilitch family, we extend our deepest condolences to Al’s wife, Louise, and the entire Kaline family.”
Detroit signed Kaline to $35,000 straight out of high school in 1953. He would play the majority of his 22-year career in right field for the Tigers posting a fielding percentage of .987 and winning ten Golden Glove Awards. He would also earn 18 All-Star appearances, an AL batting title in 1955, a World Series title in 1968 and Roberto Clemente Award in 1973. In 1974, Kaline would retire after becoming the 12th player in MLB history to reach the 3,000 hit milestone. The man that was known as Mr. Tiger would finish his career with (3,007) hits, (498) doubles, (75), triples, (399) home runs, (1,622) runs scored, (1,277) basses on balls, and (1,582) RBI’s. Kaline is also the Tigers leads the franchise in games played with (2,843), walks (1,277), and sacrifice flies (104). Kaline would be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980. “If there is one accomplishment for which I am particularly proud it is that I’ve always served baseball to the best of my ability,” Kaline said during his Hall of Fame induction speech. “Never have I deliberately done anything to discredit the game, the Tigers or my family.
“By far, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the proudest moment of my life. You can be sure that I will make every effort to live up to the obligation associated with this honor.” Kaline is survived by his wife, Louise and his two sons Mark and Mike.
