Detroit Tigers Mount Rushmore
By David Hill
Al Kaline (1953-1974)
The Detroit Tigers teams in the 1950s and into the 1960s may not have been great, but they had one of the bigger stars in the game with Al Kaline.
One of the greatest hitters of the decade, Kaline was a perennial MVP candidate, finishing in the top ten eight times, including two second place finishes, although he never won the award. In 1950, he led the American League with 200 hits and a .340 batting average. Kaline had nine seasons with 20 or more homers, with one of the highest career totals of someone who never hit 30 homers in a season.
Even though he did not consider himself a superstar on par with the likes of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, Kaline put together an excellent career. An 18 time All Star, he posted a lifetime .297/.376/.480 batting line, hitting 399 home runs and 498 doubles. Although he fell just short of the home run and double milestones, Kaline did manage to get 3007 hits, using the designated hitter role to get those final base knocks.
"“I wasn’t meant to be a superstar. I’m no Willie Mays, or Mickey Mantle,” said Kaline."
Kaline was also a gifted defensive player. He won ten Gold Glove awards, leading American League right fielders in runs saved eight times. His career mark of 155 runs saved is second all time, trailing only Roberto Clemente. Kaline also had a tremendous arm, leading the league in assists three times and ranking 19th all time.
Al Kaline was one of the better all around players in the game during his prime. Even if he did not consider himself a superstar, the Detroit Tigers outfielder was one anyway.