I am not a sports journalist. Although I teach the subject and I have experience both scholastically and professionally as a sports journalist, I am squarely in the punditry side in the field of the sports broadcasting.
I am avowed Detroit Tigers fan.
I make no apologies for this, and as I have just explained, as a blogger/columnist, I am free to advocate for whomever my rooting interest lies. Now, admittedly, I try not to have my educated positions colored by my rooting bias.
But for today? All of that is out the window. Monday April 6 was a devastating day for Tigers fans everywhere as “Mr. Tiger” Al Kaline passed away at the ripe old age of 85. Now, 85 is nothing to sneeze at, what with life expectancy in the United States for men to be 78.6 years, though it has dropped for the last three years in a row.
There has been no player recognizable with a franchise through thick and thin years after his playing days as Al Kaline was with the Tigers. Maybe Ernie Banks with the Cubs, maybe Tony Gwynn with Padres. Mr. Red and Mr. Met don’t count. C’mon, they’re mascots.
But Al Kaline was beloved by the Tiger Faithful. Not just because he was in the Hall of Fame, he was one of those first ballot league of his own type players. There were 10 other future Hall of Famers up for the Hall that year, and Kaline was still on 88% of the ballots.
Kaline was generational talent: ten Gold Glove Awards in right field; 18 All-Star Games, including 12 straight from 1955 to 1967; all while putting up incredible numbers even by today’s hitter friendly game.
- 622 runs
- 3007 hits
- 399 home runs
- 1582 RBIs
- 498 doubles
I wasn’t alive to see Kaline play, other innumerable clips and a few views on ESPN Classic of the Tigers 1968 World Series win over the Cardinals in seven games. He was incredible philanthropist, and donated hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to charity. But for me, it was Kaline’s warm and inviting voice on color commentary that made my childhood. The man was genuinely joyful at the wonderful life he built. He played the game he loved for 22 years. Immediately after retiring, he transitioned to the broadcast booth for another 28 years. He then worked in the front office until the day he died.
So yes, I am devastated that one of the greatest players in the history of a franchise I grew up rooting for passed away in the fustercluck of year 2020 has been. But I’m also happy that I lived on the same planet at the same time as him.
Al Kaline lived as perfect of life as a human could. He lived a loved life and was loved in return. If ever a man lived a legendary life, it was Mr. Tiger.