Remember in '71 (I think) Kaline TURNED DOWN a salary increase to $100,000 because he thought he hadn't earned it from his performance in the previous season. By today's standards that now sound terribly naive but today's players bitch and moan if they're not getting 5 million plus bonuses for batting .270; I respect Al more for his stance than the pampered whiners we have now.
For great game footage of Kaline and Mantle, search "Yankees vs. Tigers August 4, 1956." You'll see both homer at the old Briggs Stadium, in some wonderful color home movies.
Only TWO youtube entries for Al Kaline...PIT...EEEEEEE....FULL. This is why youtube and the internet cannot possibly be counted on for definitieve statements.
I never had the pleasure of seeing Al Kaline play; I only have these vignettes. But the ballplayer I most emulated was Alan Trammell. In ANY form - offbalance or set, Trammell almost always delivered a throw from the bottom of the sternum to the forehead. Stunning accuracy every...damn...time.
Sometime during 1970 season I was watching a Twins-Tigers game on television, and Kaline was hitting. He swung and missed a pitch, and the announcer - Frank Buetel - said, "Kaline has the most graceful, perfect swing in baseball. He's one guy the true fan would pay to watch swing a bat." The next pitch was blasted off the center field fence.
I sat in the upper deck in right field on Aug. 02, 1970 and saluted my hero. It was Al Kaline Day and in my opinion, he was the greatest right fielder ever. The Twins were in town for a double-header (remember those?) Killebrew hit 2 of the longest HRs I'd ever seen. The Tigers lost both games but it didn't matter. Just being a part of that tribute to my hero was worth it. Thanks, Al.
I sit first row behind the fence in the corner in right at Tiger Stadium to see Kaline take a ball off the wall, turn and throw a perfect strike to 2nd base....on the fly. The runner was easily tagged out. Nice to hear Ernie Harwell talk about Kaline. The very Best talking about the Very Best. Tiger fans are indeed blessed.
I just loved the way he circled around the ball, the impeccable footwork, the violent velocity of the throw, the stream of white blur, chest high to freehan , and brock showing nobelesque like intelligence by not even leaving third base
When the Tigers won the division in 68', they did much of it without Kaline, He went to Mayo Smith and told him to play the young guys in the World Series, they got us here. Smith of course moved Mickey Stanley to SS so Kaline, Northrup, and Horton could all play. Selflessness is another reason to love Al.
I would love to see a clip of Kaline throwing one from the right field corner. Kaline was a better ballplayer than the statistics indicate(although they are Hall of Fame worthy). The numerous serious injuries in 1959,62,65,67,and '68 hurt the career numbers. He should have been the first A.L. player with 400 homers and 3000 hits. Al was a better player than Yaz.
Kaline was really something. I think to this day he still doesnt get the credit he deserves. He could hit for power and average, was equipped with a near perfect wide-stance swing (almost like DiMaggio's), and had one of the best arms in the histor of the game. 3,007 hits and 399 home runs are only a few of his standout stats. He was simple incredible, and he did it with a workhorse mentality. He wasnt all about superstardom, but more of hustling and showing up day after day to do his job.
He was the best, on and off the field. And man, did you see that throw from right in this little clip. That guy stopped dead in his tracks at third. I miss those days in good old Detroit Tiger Stadium.
Remember in '71 (I think) Kaline TURNED DOWN a salary increase to $100,000 because he thought he hadn't earned it from his performance in the previous season. By today's standards that now sound terribly naive but today's players bitch and moan if they're not getting 5 million plus bonuses for batting .270; I respect Al more for his stance than the pampered whiners we have now.
Al Kaline, now and forever Mr. Tiger.
tucsonia 2 months ago
Pujols 5, Kaline 6, Elway 7.
allenpalmeri 8 months ago
For great game footage of Kaline and Mantle, search "Yankees vs. Tigers August 4, 1956." You'll see both homer at the old Briggs Stadium, in some wonderful color home movies.
CrankyOldster 1 year ago
@dimpledick3inch Are you serious? Did that really happen? Hard to believe.
unclebobunclebob 1 year ago
Only TWO youtube entries for Al Kaline...PIT...EEEEEEE....FULL. This is why youtube and the internet cannot possibly be counted on for definitieve statements.
unclebobunclebob 1 year ago
I never had the pleasure of seeing Al Kaline play; I only have these vignettes. But the ballplayer I most emulated was Alan Trammell. In ANY form - offbalance or set, Trammell almost always delivered a throw from the bottom of the sternum to the forehead. Stunning accuracy every...damn...time.
And thank you, Ernie Harwell. I miss you greatly.
triplexxxsatyr 1 year ago
Sometime during 1970 season I was watching a Twins-Tigers game on television, and Kaline was hitting. He swung and missed a pitch, and the announcer - Frank Buetel - said, "Kaline has the most graceful, perfect swing in baseball. He's one guy the true fan would pay to watch swing a bat." The next pitch was blasted off the center field fence.
jpcfit 2 years ago
I sat in the upper deck in right field on Aug. 02, 1970 and saluted my hero. It was Al Kaline Day and in my opinion, he was the greatest right fielder ever. The Twins were in town for a double-header (remember those?) Killebrew hit 2 of the longest HRs I'd ever seen. The Tigers lost both games but it didn't matter. Just being a part of that tribute to my hero was worth it. Thanks, Al.
presleyrules 2 years ago
I sit first row behind the fence in the corner in right at Tiger Stadium to see Kaline take a ball off the wall, turn and throw a perfect strike to 2nd base....on the fly. The runner was easily tagged out. Nice to hear Ernie Harwell talk about Kaline. The very Best talking about the Very Best. Tiger fans are indeed blessed.
SKYVOLTAGE 2 years ago
Wow! My neighbour actually met him once at old Tiger Stadium in the 60's
StealthMode86 2 years ago
I just loved the way he circled around the ball, the impeccable footwork, the violent velocity of the throw, the stream of white blur, chest high to freehan , and brock showing nobelesque like intelligence by not even leaving third base
hiriski 2 years ago 4
@hiriski The video is showing it in slow motion, I have a video of Game 4 of the '68 World Series that I will upload that shows it in "real time".
You will be even more impressed, George Kell is on the PBP too.
scribe114 1 year ago
When the Tigers won the division in 68', they did much of it without Kaline, He went to Mayo Smith and told him to play the young guys in the World Series, they got us here. Smith of course moved Mickey Stanley to SS so Kaline, Northrup, and Horton could all play. Selflessness is another reason to love Al.
JBTG33 2 years ago 3
We're all behind our BASEBALL TEAM!!! Go get 'em TIGERS!! Number 6 gets 5 Stars.
shimerian 2 years ago
Kaline was indeed great. I used to love to watch him throw. He had a strong arm and was incredibly accurate.
1kkyu 3 years ago
I would love to see a clip of Kaline throwing one from the right field corner. Kaline was a better ballplayer than the statistics indicate(although they are Hall of Fame worthy). The numerous serious injuries in 1959,62,65,67,and '68 hurt the career numbers. He should have been the first A.L. player with 400 homers and 3000 hits. Al was a better player than Yaz.
mcparla1 3 years ago 2
Kaline was really something. I think to this day he still doesnt get the credit he deserves. He could hit for power and average, was equipped with a near perfect wide-stance swing (almost like DiMaggio's), and had one of the best arms in the histor of the game. 3,007 hits and 399 home runs are only a few of his standout stats. He was simple incredible, and he did it with a workhorse mentality. He wasnt all about superstardom, but more of hustling and showing up day after day to do his job.
switchhitter07 3 years ago 2
"That guy" standing on 3rd is none other than Lou Brock, giving you a better idea of Kaline's arm strength.
mahz6 3 years ago
Yea, and it was the '68 World Series! Kaline scored the winning run.
DrJTG 3 years ago
He was the best, on and off the field. And man, did you see that throw from right in this little clip. That guy stopped dead in his tracks at third. I miss those days in good old Detroit Tiger Stadium.
davidleinweber 3 years ago
he was the best that ever lived
tonylka10 4 years ago