05:58 AM
11/21/24
11/21/24
March 24, 2009
Detroit Tigers' Great George Kell Dies: George Kell, a Hall of Fame third baseman who beat Ted Williams for the 1949 American League batting title, died Tuesday at his Arkansas home at age 86. Kell batted .34291 in 1949, beating Williams' .34276, and was a 10-time All Star. After his playing career ended he broadcast Tigers games from 1959 to 1996 alongside Ernie Harwell and Al Kaline.
Ditto on growing up on the Kell/Kaline tandem. I think Kell is widely recognized as one of the more marginal Hall of Famers, but by all accounts was a great guy.
posted by holden at 04:31 PM on March 24, 2009
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posted by tommybiden at 07:02 PM on March 24, 2009
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posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:51 PM on March 25, 2009
Was just gonna post this. George Kell and Al Kaline were the voices I grew up with on Tiger TV games. Only Ernie Harwell and Bruce Martyn were more recognizable voices in Detroit sports. Another sad loss to the area...
One of my favorite memories of Kell, Tom Brookens was on third, and Sparky Anderson called for him to steal home. Don't remember the batter, but George was making the call on the pitch when Brookens took off, and George shouts over the air, "Holy Sh*t, here comes Brookens!!!" After the inning break, he apologized for his "on air outburst," but I remember laughing for a couple innings...