RIP Al Kaline (1934-2020)

It's a sad day here in Michigan after reports started trickling in this afternoon that Al Kaline had passed away at the age of 85.  A boyhood hero of many in the state, and surely the country, he was so synonymous with the team that he could have had no other nickname than "Mr. Tiger."  Kaline was a fixture in Motown for so long that I'm sure everyone felt like he'd always be around.  Now that he's not, let's celebrate the face of the franchise, and possibly the city's sports history in general.

The numbers are impressive for sure--more than 3,000 hits, almost 400 HR, 10 Gold Gloves, 18 All-Star appearances, a ring with the '68 team, and a batting crown at the young age of 22, all of which added up to 92.8 bWAR.  But to limit discussion of Kaline to just his 22 seasons as a player would be criminal when looking at his legacy.

Al's career had come and gone and he'd even joined the Hall of Fame a few years before I was born, but I was fortunate enough to enjoy the rest of his time with the team, as a broadcast (with George Kell!), outfield coach, special adviser, and anything else the Tigers needed.  He came to Detroit as an 18-year-old bonus baby and never left, a legacy that spans more than 65 seasons.  It's no wonder he had such a profound impact not only on his teammates, contemporaries, and the fans of his era, but also people to this very day.  I was struck by the mix of reactions from his fellow Hall inductees as well as recent members of the team, such as Dean Green:

News of Al Kaline passing hits me hard. He was the man who stuck his neck out for me in the Tigers draft room in 2011 and pushed them to draft me. He was one of the first people to call me after I was drafted and one of the first to greet me as I arrived at TigerTown. He’s a HOF

— Dean Green (@GreenGiant2219) April 6, 2020

It'll be a long time--if ever--before we see another man like Kaline in Detroit or elsewhere, giving more than 60 years of his life to his team and inspiring so many.  No matter where the Tigers play, his number 6 will forever adorn a wall in the outfield along with a statue immortalizing a Detroit icon, and better yet, a man for all to admire.  Thank you, and rest in peace, Mr. Kaline.

In honor of Mr. Tiger, I present to you some of the best items in my collection featuring Al Kaline:

Vintage stuff.  I could certainly use more and I'll now concentrate more on filling my collection with cards from his playing days.

Hits, highlighted by six autographs, many of which were sent to me by Matt of Bob Walk the Plank.  What a great signature he had!

And finally, the signature I was happy to get in-person at an autograph signing at some point in the 90s.  His autograph looks beautiful on a Tigers ball that includes sigs from '68 teammates Willie Horton, Don Wert, and Mickey Lolich.