Al Kaline 12/19/1934 - 04/06/2020 RIP#6

[kalinecountry]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...ooks-have-legends-rbi-total-wrong/3338901001/
Here's why Al Kaline's HOF plaque, Tigers' record books have the legend's RBI total wrong.
Detnews

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfVB4C3UYAAqBfi?format=jpg&name=medium
1980, Al Kaline with adoring fans.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfVCV6DU8AEwFVJ?format=jpg&name=medium
Two of my Tigers heroes, how about you?

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfQ8RIYWAAAORxA?format=jpg&name=medium
?Mr. Tiger? Al Kaline Available at at Frame Works Plymouth #AlKaline #detroittigers #theArtJarLLC Amphora#fanart #detroitartist

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfatLcbU0AEkbWB?format=jpg&name=medium
Mr. Tiger at a black tie event.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfvGtN3U0AEwhil?format=png&name=360x360
Al Kaline, center, with his newly signed Detroit Tigers contract for $35,000, and his parents, Nicholas and Naomi. Source: The Evening Sun (Baltimore), June 22, 1953.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfvAEdLVAAA_wun?format=png&name=900x900
John Maloney, 8, shows off his uncle, Al Kaline, to some of his friends. (Baltimore Sun file photo, July 24 ,1955)

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgNBNuvU0AEp7ss?format=jpg&name=medium
Al and Mickey, signed with a complimentary caption by Mr. Tiger for number 7.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgSTaBgU0AA_59h?format=png&name=small
Lance Parrish handing the ceremonial first pitch back to Mr. Tiger Al Kaline, before game 4 of the 1984 World Series.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgXTQ1qVAAILkf8?format=jpg&name=large
1968 Sporting News. Al Kaline was always a winner to us Tigers fans!

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqtrPorXEAAnm1U?format=jpg&name=small
August 25, 2002 Al Kaline is honored at Comerica Park for 50 years with the Tigers. #MrTiger

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgiW_GHU4AAxQlO?format=jpg&name=large
Extraordinary expectations in this headline for Al Kaline.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://cybermetric.blogspot.com/2020/09/players-who-led-their-league-in-xbt-and.html
Players who led their league in XBT% and a Power Stat in the same year. Al Kaline Here.
Cybermetrics

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhDgKOPUwAErvV6?format=jpg&name=large
A solitary Al Kaline reads a note in an early 60s visitors clubhouse.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhET0gvU4AAthX9?format=jpg&name=900x900
#6 Our favorite!

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2012/05/11/ted-williams-helped-al-kaline-become-a-mature-hitter/
Advice from Ted Williams helped Al Kaline become a mature hitter. May 2012 story.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog/2018/05/02/1968-detroit-tigers-were-not-a-team-of-destiny/
1968 Detroit Tigers were not a team of destiny. May 2018 story.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

I recently ran a Twitter poll asking which of Roberto Clemente and Al Kaline was the better player. Bill James, aware of my efforts, subsequently ran the same poll in order that a more-substantive sample size could be obtained. In each case, the respondents leaned for Clemente. The Pittsburgh Pirates legend received roughly 60% of the overall vote.

With the caveat that ?better player? is subjective, their respective numbers suggest that the Detroit Tigers legend is the one who should have come out on top. To wit:

Clemente: 3,000 hits, 240 HR, 621 BB .359 OBP .475 Slugging .365 wOBA, 129 wRC+, 80.6 fWAR.

Al Kaline: 3,007 hits, 399 HR, 1277 BB .376 OBP .480 Slugging .378 wOBA, 134 wRC+, 88.9 fWAR.

Does that particular set of numbers tell the entire story? Of course not, but they do say a lot. Both are all-time greats, and in terms of on-field value ? historical importance is another story ? Kaline is at least Clemente?s equal.

Fangraphs

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.vintagedetroit.com/blog...ielders-in-the-history-of-the-detroit-tigers/
The greatest Right Fielders in the History of the Detroit Tigers. November 2013.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

https://tigers.auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/productDisplay.action?sid=1102383&productId=1782449
In loving memory of Al Kaline, and partnership with the
@baseballhall a limited number of commemorative jersey sleeve patches now available at http://Tigers.com/patch and this week in The D Shop at @ComericaPark All proceeds benefit @TigersCommunity