Person Biography:
Al Kaline was an American professional baseball player who played his entire 22-year career with the Detroit Tigers from 1953 to 1974. He was known as "Mr. Tiger" due to his iconic status within the franchise. Kaline was a 15-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and held the record for most games played with the Tigers until 2015.
Kaline was signed by the Tigers as a "Bonus Baby" in 1953, bypassing the minor leagues. He made his major league debut at the age of 18 and went on to play 22 seasons with the Tigers, a record only surpassed by Carl Yastrzemski and Brooks Robinson.
Kaline was an exceptional player, known for his consistent production, superb fielding, and clutch hitting. He won his only batting title in 1955, leading both leagues with a.340 average, and became the youngest player to win a batting title at the age of 20.
Throughout his career, Kaline was a top-10 finisher in Most Valuable Player voting nine times, and was known for his remarkable consistency, hitting a minimum of 25 home runs seven times and over.300 nine times. He was also an excellent fielder, going 242 consecutive games without committing an error.
Kaline was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1980, and his number 6 was the first number retired by the Tigers. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Tigers history, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and players alike.
