On the blog today, we add an incredibly underrated and under-appreciated Hall of Famer, Detroit Tigers great Al Kaline, to my custom "Classic Baseball" set, celebrating the great game and it's "Golden Era":
What a great all-around player the Tigers had for 20 years!
Buried under names like Aaron,
Mays, Mantle, etc, he just went about his business year in and year out
and paved the way for his eventual induction into Cooperstown's hallowed
halls in 1980.
The 1960's saw Kaline make eight All-Star teams, win seven Gold
Gloves, and receive solid M.V.P. support seven of ten years, finishing
as high as second in 1963.
Though he only led the league in a primary offensive category only
once (doubles in 1961) in the 1960s, Kaline's consistency was his strength, as he
topped .300 four times, 20 homers five times, and a .500 slugging
percentage five times.
The 15-time all-star topped 3000 hits, 1600 runs, 1500 runs batted in
and came one home run short of 400 over his stellar career, which also
included 10 Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess.
An easy Hall of Fame pick, he was inducted in his first year of eligibility in 1980 with 88.3% of the ballots cast.
“Mr. Tiger” indeed!
An easy Hall of Fame pick, he was inducted in his first year of eligibility in 1980 with 88.3% of the ballots cast.
“Mr. Tiger” indeed!