Al Kaline

[kairos12]

In 1974 he got his 3000th hit and became the first American League player to do so since Tris Speaker in 1925.

[GeorgeGist]

1. My favorite Tiger ...

growing up.

[rurallib]

2. Thinking about Kaline brings back some wonderful memories of baseball in the

50s, 60s and 70s.

Al Kaline and Harvey Kuenn then Kaline and Cash. IIRC they had a fantastic 1961 but still came up way short of the Yankees powerhouse of that year.

Kaline was a steady everyday presence in the lineup for Detroit for a couple of decades.

[gibraltar72]

3. Al was umique.

graceful in all aspects including life. Came up as a child made the game look so easy. Loved the man.

[longship]

4. One dared not tag up at third on a right field fly ball.

Al Kaline had a tremendous arm. He could throw a strike to the plate from the right-field fence. If a runner tried it, one of the great Tiger catchers would likely be holding court at the plate, grinning, ball in hand when the tagging runner got there. The ump would oblige with a double pumper. "Yer out!"

Kaline's corner at Tiger Stadium.

[longship]

5. 1954 rookie card, plus the iconic Kaline swing stance.

Shear poetry!