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Detroit Tigers: The 5 best games of Al Kaline’s career

By Kevin Henry

DETROIT, UNITED STATES: Former Detroit Tiger right fielder Al Kaline, who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, salutes right field during a ceremony before the start of the Detroit Tigers' last game at Tiger Stadium 27 September 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers have played at this corner since 1901 when they became a charter member of the American League. The Tigers will play at a new park in downtown Detroit next season. AFP Photo Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
DETROIT, UNITED STATES: Former Detroit Tiger right fielder Al Kaline, who is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, salutes right field during a ceremony before the start of the Detroit Tigers' last game at Tiger Stadium 27 September 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers have played at this corner since 1901 when they became a charter member of the American League. The Tigers will play at a new park in downtown Detroit next season. AFP Photo Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 25: A detailed view of the special home plate and pitching rubber to honor the 60th anniversary of the Major League debut of Detroit Tigers outfielder and Baseball Hall of Famer Al Kaline prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Comerica Park on June 25, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. The Angels defeated the Tigers 14-8. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 25: A detailed view of the special home plate and pitching rubber to honor the 60th anniversary of the Major League debut of Detroit Tigers outfielder and Baseball Hall of Famer Al Kaline prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Comerica Park on June 25, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. The Angels defeated the Tigers 14-8. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

The two greatest games ever recorded by Detroit Tigers legend Al Kaline

2. Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, September 19, 1963

In front of just 6,646 fans on a Thursday afternoon at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium, Kaline pieced together one of the greatest games of his career, going 4-for-7 with four RBI as the Tigers earned an 8-6 win in 13 innings.

Kaline’s 13th-inning RBI triple plated what would eventually be the winning run, then he would score the insurance run later in the frame on an error.

Along with the late triple, Kaline would play a big role in keeping Detroit alive for the victory, tying the game in the ninth on a groundout and giving Detroit the lead in the 11th with a leadoff homer off Twins reliever Bill Pleis.

Kaline also had a single in the first and a home run in the fifth, helping him to log 12 bases on the day.

1. Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Athletics, April 17, 1955

Much like a game mentioned earlier, Kaline took advantage of the Athletics in a blowout to record what would be the greatest game of his career.

In a 16-0 demolition of Kansas City at Briggs Stadium, Kaline would go 4-for-5 with six RBI, including three home runs. It would be the only three-homer game of his career.

Kaline hit a two-run homer in the third, then hit a pair of home runs in the sixth inning, slamming a solo shot off Kansas City reliever Bob Spicer and following that with a two-run blast off Bob Trice in what would be a nine-run frame for the Tigers.

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Add in a fourth-inning single and Kaline accumulated 13 bases against Kansas City, the most he would have in a single game in his Hall of Fame career.

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