1972 Topps #600
As solid as they come, Al was a 15 time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove winner, World Series Champ (1968), had a lifetime batting average of .297 with 3007 hits and 399 home runs. Beloved in Detroit, Kaline spent over a quarter century in the Tigers broadcast booth following his playing career.
"The kid murders you with his speed and arm. ... He's made some catches I still don't believe. ... I sort of hate to think what'll happen when he grows up." Casey Stengel, 1955
"There's a hitter. In my book he's the greatest right-handed hitter in the league." Ted Williams in 1955.
"I was very, very shocked about Cooperstown. I thought my chances were fairly good, but I tried to stay low key about it, not too high and not too low. That was the way I played, too."
"I was very, very shocked about Cooperstown. I thought my chances were fairly good, but I tried to stay low key about it, not too high and not too low. That was the way I played, too."
1990-91 Fleer #12
Kevin is now the Houston Rockets head coach
Happy bday, Kaline! I think I had one of your autographs at some point.
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