OT: Detroit Tiger Al Kaline passes at 85.
- Thread starter skysdad
- Start date
Yes Sky, he was a great one that was very underrated. The 1968 WS against the Cardinals was one of my favorite World Series while I was growing up. Kaline was the heart of those Tiger teams.
Kaline was in the golden age of right fielders. Aaron, Musial, Maris (whom I loved), Clemente, Frank Robinson, Wagner, seems like everyone had one. Kaline could do everything and did it quietly. Great arm, great bat.
Wow does that bring back memories.
OFC
Wow does that bring back memories.
OFC
Kaline and Norm Cash made the Tigers a force to be reckoned with!!!!
OFC
OFC
They also had Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich and Denny McClain who won 31 games in 1968. OFC
The tigers were my favorite team growing up and Kaline was a steady player. He seemed to get the clutch hit and had some power. If my memory is correct it seems Cash had a few pinch hit homers.
Interesting note on Kaline.His signing bonus was $35,000.00. Pretty good money for 1953. OFC
In 1972 kaline salary was $100,000 and next was willie horton at 80,000. Thirteen players on the roster made 13,500
The only live game I seen him play was the 1974 allstar game. He pinch hit and the American League only got four hits all night. Some all time greats played that night.
That 1968 team had light-hitting but great gloved Ray Oyler at short. They felt that they needed more bat for the series so they moved Mickey Stanley from center to short which allowed Northrup to stay in CF. That team also had an aging Eddie Mathews splitting some 3B time. Man, those days were great. Growing up in the 60's and following MLB was special.
I talked to my father last night and he spoke briefly about Kaline. Said he was one of the best players he ever watched.