Remembering Al Kaline…Pure Greatness

Al Kaline passed away on April 6. Isn’t that something with his number being six? Kaline was one of my all-time greats in all sports. I wore number six when I played varsity baseball in honor of Kaline.

Kaline played with the Detroit Tigers his entire 22-year career. He came from the sandlots of Baltimore and joined the Tigers parent team in Motown right out of high school. No one has ever come right from high school, gone into the big leagues and had the career he had. He was an amazing player. I would say next to Clemente and Ichiro, he was the greatest right fielder that ever played in the big leagues.

Kaline amassed 10 Gold Gloves in right,18 All-Star selections, 3,007 career hits, and a World Series ring in 1968. He was selected into Cooperstown on his first ballot and the Tigers retired his number first before any other former player.

I was lucky enough to shake Al Kaline’s hand before I got into radio. I also was lucky enough to interview him years ago on my show. Al Kaline played baseball the right way. He was always hustling, aggressive and the ultimate team player. Like I said, I idolized Kaline and always will.

When you talk about one of the all-time greats, you're definitely talking about Albert Kaline. No one can doubt that he was pure greatness. He was a humble man, a phenomenal player and an excellent Tigers broadcaster. That is why he will always be Mr. Tiger.