Because of tge Covid-19 Pandemic, this will be the lastest Home Opener in team history.
The Tigers are taking the field at Comerica Park without the presence of the late, great, Al Kaline, who passed away on April 6th, at the age of 85.
The game tonight in downtown Detroit will mark the first time in 67 years without the beloved "Mr. Tiger," who made his big league debut on June 25, 1953, at the age of 18.
Al Kaline played 22 years in the Motor City, playing all his home games at venerable Tiger Stadium, retiring after the 1974 season, with 3,007 base hits, 399 HRs, 10 Gold Gloves, and a World Championship in 1968.
In 1980 Kaline was Inducted into the Baseball Hall if Fame.
In 1975, Kaline joined the Tigers TV broadcast with George Kell, where he would remain through the 2002 season.
In 2003, Kaline started working for the Tigers as a special assistant to the team, a position he held until his passing earlier this year.
The Tigers honored Kaline tonight with a video tribute and the raising of a special flag, a flag that simply said, Kaline.
Have a joyous night of watching baseball.
Play Ball! 🐱⚾🇺🇸
Love that they honored Kaline and gave him a flag. I was too young to see him play, but I've been a huge fan after reading an article on him a few years ago in Baseball Digest.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to have seen Mr. Kaline in person, and was fortunate enough to have met him in person.
DeleteThanks for the comment, I appreciate it.