When discussing the best players ever to wear a Detroit Tigers uniform, you would be mistaken if you did not put Al Kaline near the top of the list.
On June 25, 1953, Kaline made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tigers. He may have been 0-for-1 on that day, but the 18-year-old Kaline had plenty of hits ahead of him.
June 25, 1953: Al Kaline makes his MLB debut, as a late-inning replacement for outfielder Jim Delsing in Philadelphia
— Tigers History (@TigersHistory) June 25, 2017
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In 22 seasons with Detroit, Kaline racked up 3007 hits, 399 home runs, and 1582 RBIs. During his career, the Tigers right fielder was named to 15 All-Star Teams and won a total of 10 Gold Gloves for his play in the field.
When all was said and done, Kaline put together a resume that was Hall of Fame worthy. In 1980, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame after receiving 88.3% of the vote.
Here is what the great Ernie Harwell had to say about Kaline’s days in the Old English D.
Kaline delivered a memorable speech during his Hall of Fame ceremony.
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