RIP Al Kaline

[clydepepper]

A Terrible Loss for Baseball.


https://www.wxyz.com/sports/detroit-tigers-legend-al-kaline-dies-at-the-age-of-85


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[bobbyw8469]

Sad day

[doug.goodman]

Wow, what a bummer.

[crispycards]

Many members of this board will recall Al as a spectacular player during the 1950's and '60's - my memories are from the late 1970's and all through the 1980's as Al formed an incredible TV broadcast team with another Hall of Fame Tiger in George Kell. They were a pleasure to listen to and Al Kaline will be sorely missed by Tiger fans!

[Pack The Ripper]

Thanks for the memories Mr. Kaline.

Rest in peace 1954 Topps #201.

[wondo]

RIP Al Kaline.

He played in the first game I ever attended - 1968 WS Game 3. I met him at a Wimington, DE card show; he was kind and most gracious. He was my childhood hero - from little league through beer softball I wore #6. Sad day.

[1963Topps Set]

I needed his All Star card to finish the 1959 Topps set, the very first vintage set I ever completed. Rest In Peace.

[insidethewrapper]

Sad day indeed. He was my boyhood idol and hero. I have collected his cards and memorabilia since the 1950's. Thanks Al for all the memories and that great 1968 World Series. But the greatest thing about Al wasn't that he was a Hall of Fame Baseball player, but that he was a Hall of Fame person.. RIP

[Chris Counts]

Rest in peace to a true Tiger legend.

[clydepepper]

392907

[Snapolit1]

I was a senior in high school and one of my buddies got the idea that we would drive to Cooperstown for that years swearing in ceremony. Was 1981 or 82. We drove up overnight and parked right across from the HOF. Slept in the car. I bought a baseball for signatures, and we managed to position ourselves somehow where the entire line of hall of famers had to walk past us to go to some reception. Saw everyone. Mays, DiMaggio. Most politely declined to autograph my ball. Al Kaline stopped and signed and was nice as could be. Only signature I got. Still have the ball somewhere. RIP Al. Thanks for the nice moment.

[marzoumanian]

I obtained his autograph years ago at a St. Louis card show and the vibe I got as I stood in front of him (for all of about 30 seconds) was nothing but kindness. A true gentle man. RIP, Mr. Kaline.

[SAllen2556]

This is after a charity basketball game in the early 70's. We were very lucky to have two classy guys like Gordie Howe and Al Kaline as our living legends when I was growing up.

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[kailes2872]

I sent this mid-January and got it back on January 25th. He was a TTM signer right until the end.

[MarcosCards]

Definitely gut punch news for us Tiger fans who consider him our boyhood hero.

[bmcnutt]

"Mr. Tiger". Forever a legend.

[NiceDocter]

I got to meet Al Kaline after a Senators game back in the 1960s ..... gave me his autograph and INTRODUCED ME TO HIS MOTHER! Now thats back in the day!!!!

[DeanH3]

RIP Mr. Kaline.

[71buc]

I was fortunate enough to see him play when I was 11. Sixteen years later I got to meet him at a card show in Seattle. Griffey Jr. was a signer and was around 20 years old. Kaline and Kell were at a nearby table. The line for Griffey was ridiculous. Due to this I convinced my very disappointed 10 year old nephew to get the signatures of the two Tiger greats. When my nephew approached, Kaline asked him who his favorite player was. My nephew pointed over in Griffey's direction. Kaline said that Griffey was going to have a great career and that Seattle was lucky to have him. My nephew asked Kaline if he ever saw a player so young be so good. Kaline nodded, smiled and said he had seen a few great young players in his time. Kell then pointed at Griffey and said, "Al I seem to recall you won a batting title at that age." Kaline nodded and said, "I believe I did but that was a long time ago." He was a total class act.

This 1955 oversized Type I photo of that Al Kaline is one of my favorite photos in my collection. I have always believed it would be a great Graig Kreindler painting. It was a gift from my son. Whenever, I see it I remember that day with my nephew.

[eliminator]

I was fortunate enough to see him play when I was 11. Sixteen years later I got to meet him at a card show in Seattle. Griffey Jr. was a signer and was around 20 years old. Kaline and Kell were at a nearby table. The line for Griffey was ridiculous. Due to this I convinced my very disappointed 10 year old nephew to get the signatures of the two Tiger greats. When my nephew approached, Kaline asked him who his favorite player was. My nephew pointed over in Griffey's direction. Kaline said that Griffey was going to have a great career and that Seattle was lucky to have him. My nephew asked Kaline if he ever saw a player so young be so good. Kaline nodded, smiled and said he had seen a few great young players in his time. Kell then pointed at Griffey and said, "Al I seem to recall you won a batting title at that age." Kaline nodded and said, "I believe I did but that was a long time ago." He was a total class act.

This 1955 oversized Type I photo of that Al Kaline is one of my favorite photos in my collection. I have always believed it would be a great Graig Kreindler painting. It was a gift from my son. Whenever, I see it I remember that day with my nephew.

Great story. Great photo.

[billyb]

I grew up with Kaline as my favorite. My glove was an Al Kaline model, I tried to duplicate his swing, and when catching a ball in the outfield, I always remembered his tip to catch the ball in a position ready to throw. I will miss number six. Here is a photo I do not show much, quality is not that good, but it is the earliest known photo of Kaline as a professional. RIP

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[71buc]

Beautiful photo Bill.

[the 'stache]

I always saw Al Kaline the same way I saw Bart Starr. An absolutely fantastic player, but indisputably, an even better person. Pure class. Humble.

RIP, Mr. Tiger.

[BruceinGa]

He was also my childhood hero. Rest in peace.

[mullings]

I had the pleasure of meeting him at DC SPORTS in Michigan. He struck me as shy, but a much better description is humble. He signed my 1955 Tigers scorebook with that old fashion penmanship you don't see any more.393004

[commishbob]

I've always taken some pride in the fact that, like myself, Al Kaline was a Baltimore native. RIP


And thanks to all who have posted the great pics and memories.

[ALR-bishop]

https://oi1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/Invittation20List20Kyle565_zps1pp2tgzr.jpg

[CobbSpikedMe]

RIP Mr. Kaline. This has always been one of my favorite baseball cards.



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https://cobbspikedme.yolasite.com/resources/1954%20Topps%20Al%20Kaline%20RC.jpg

[GoCubsGo32]

Very sad to hear this. I always enjoyed my experiences with Mr. Kaline, very nice man.One of the greats. RIP

Here's 2 of my favorite snapshots of Mr. Tiger from my photo collection.

https://i.imgur.com/xuGpY00.jpg?3
https://i.imgur.com/3eee3UW.jpg?4