Hall of Famer Al Kaline passes away at age 85
“Mr. Tiger” leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Hall of Famer Al Kaline has passed away at age 85, as the Detroit Free Press’ John Lowe reported Monday afternoon. A cause of death was not immediately made available.
Kaline’s passing is devastating for many generations of Tigers fans, as he’s very possibly the most notable player in franchise history and spent the entirety of his 22-season major-league career, from age 18 to age 39, in Detroit. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in games played and home runs, and he was quite literally a lifelong Tiger. Aside from the 1975 season, which he took off following his retirement, he was in the organization from age 18 to 85: As a player from 1953-74, as a broadcaster from 1976-2001, and as a special assistant in the front office from 2002 until his death.
Kaline, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1980, was an 18-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. He won the 1955 AL batting title and was a member of the 1968 World Champion Tigers. He was a .297/.376/.480 career hitter with 399 homers and 1,582 RBI, and he had a 92.8 career bWAR.