Al Kaline 1980 Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Al Kaline was a model of consistency who excelled with minimum fanfare. Over 22 seasons, the quiet, durable Tigers outfielder accumulated 3,007 hits, 399 home runs, a .297 batting average, 10 Gold Gloves and 18 All-Star team selections. Mr. Tiger won the batting title in 1955, hitting .340 at the age of 20. His reputation as a clutch performer was enhanced by his .379 average against St. Louis in the 1968 World Series.
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is home to the greatest stars and the history of the game. Located in scenic Cooperstown, New York, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the sport's history, honoring excellence within the game, and connecting generations through baseball.

[@robertmasina7388]

In my lifetime of following baseball, I never heard a single negative word of Al Kaline.

[@michaelhillman4654]

Such a great ball player. There was not any part of the game that he did not do at a very high level. That’s why he went in easily on the first ballot. His speech was classic Kaline. Humble and gracious. He was my childhood idol growing up in Michigan. I could not have picked a better one. RIP # 6.

[@jamesvanhesteren8266]

Most career base hits by a visiting player at Yankee stadium. Only player in MLB history to get his 3,000 th hit in his hometown. Youngest A,L batting champ ever (20, in 1955. Hit .340). Not one day in the.minors. My boyhood hero !! R.I.P. #6!!

[@chiefpontiac1800]

A truly great man, a damn good baseball player, a great teammate, a great mentor, husband and father. A man committed to the Detroit Tigers, their players, their farm system and the wonderful City of Detroit. If he would have sold rubber tomahawks for a living, he would have owned several mansions and would have been known as "Mr. Tomahawk". That's how damn great he was. RIP Mr. Kaline. Take care of the Corner.

[@BBBYpsi]

RIP & is now playing again talking baseball with his great friends George Kell & Ernie Harwell. April 6, 2020

[@nickcolavito4665]

Some Ballplayer!!

[@gregm8522]

CLASS ACT ! Always.

[@JamesStAubin-bv5kv]

Kaline remains a hero to this day in the eyes of Tiger fans.

[@Briankaetz]

AL Kaline, aka Mr. Tiger, #6 (same number as one of his heros, Stan Musial) was my Hero as a young boy watching him play at "The Corner" aka Tiger Stadium. I saw him play in the 1968 World Series at a time where that Championship team helped to calm the tensions in Detroit and unify the people in their baseball team to win. I saw him play his last game in 1974 as I was about to enter High School that Fall. In all the times I saw him play or practice in person, I had many occasions to see him up close, interacting with fans always smiling and signing autographs. I was to in awe of him to ever ask him for an autograph but I did wave to him and he smiled and waived back and I cherish that memory as it was my small moment with my hero. He remained my hero my entire life as he continued to be associated with the Tigers up until his death. He was a gracious & humble man who loved the game of baseball, played it very well without any arrogance about it and encouraged others in the game. He was a class act in public and private. I have shed more tears for him today comparable to when I lost my Father years ago because you don't ever want to see your heros/legends die. I sincerely hope that we can all be a little bit like Al Kaline to be gracious, humble, kind about baseball or anything that you believe in by paying it forward to others because then his legacy will never die as he will not be forgotten.

[@m.t.fisher4655]

Well said.

[@williamsnyder5616]

I have a great story about both Stan Musial and Al Kaline...two #6s. By 1968, Stan was the GM of the defending world champion Cardinals. Yet, when that truly great '68 World Series was over, Musial showed the true grace of sportsmanship by going into the Detroit locker room, hugging Kaline and saying, ''It's about time, Al.'' For anyone who followed baseball then knew that 1968 was Al's first and only chance to be a world champion but that he was one all the time in his long and brilliant career.

[@chucksti1538]

Rest In Peace Mr. Tiger #6

[@hairyscotman]

I always had an AL KALINE bat.....and I batted .400!!! R.I.P. 4/6/2020

[@edwardrossman9448]

My mom took me shopping to Sears with to get school clothes and I took my transistor radio with me and Al got the hit while I was in the boys clothes dept.

[@rickyb8636]

I lived in Canada but I resided in the left field stands in Tiger Stadium so I could watch this great ballplayer. He was one of a kind, perhaps the best outfielder who ever lived. He is the reason I crossed the border on a regular basis to see the Tigers. So glad he got his chance to play in and win the World Series. What a great career.

[@hardtime3769]

RIP A true great.

[@MSU-DetroitFan]

RIP Mr Tiger December 19 1934 April 6th 2020 HOF 1980

[@jwsnotruth7106]

Wow a different day and time what a beautiful video !

[@oldredbarnman]

RIP Mr. Tiger! You will be missed!

[@Tucker13atCC]

My childhood idol.

[@ssweeps]

Al Kaline. Class human being.

[@claudiacotner1638]

though a dodger fan I loved Kaline, as he was such class. he and the Duke going in on the same day. that is a great day for baseball

[@basilsmith104]

Classic ball player.

[@acajudi100]

R. I.P. 4-6-2020 ❤️💕🇺🇸

[@sportshybrid7927]

R.I.P.

[@JackCallSports]

As a Yankee fan I love so many legends from the 30s-60s that’s the Golden Age of Baseball

[@sabinowilliam2735]

A great player and class act as a man.

[@24JohnE]

When I was growing up, Al Kaline was my favorite player. I learned how to play the outfield by watching him. My dream was to be a pro baseball player and play in the same outfield with him. Instead, I was signed by the Yankees out of high school and then drafted to go to Vietnam. He has always been a great role model on and off the field. He has always been humble and has unquestionable moral integrity.

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

Thank you for your service, John Engstrom. I respect anyone who put on military uniform, especially those who served in Vietnam.

[@24JohnE]

@John Berg John, thanks I appreciate it! Take care and be safe. John

[@chucknchar]

Yeah Al could do it all and he was a class act but watching him at Tiger Stadium as a kid I remember a hit to right field which Al scooped up in one motion and throw to home plate against the Yankees and an old black gentlemen saying "Don't you run on that boy"

[@Tucker13atCC]

Seen that more than once.

[@frankchinigo907]

Great player and a great human.RIP Mr Kaline. You were truly a great one.

[@scratchking3205]

MR. TIGER! Even now the youngsters love Kaline. Saw a kid at baseball the other day with a kaline jersey in

[@dbmusicproductions9181]

Wow! What an understated yet truly perfect speech of thanks. Not over the top, but not missing a thing. And I really appreciate his understanding of place. Here is a man who gave a speech that honors him, but he completely honored others. And in the end he has such respect for the honor of the induction into the Hall of Fame that he says he fully intends to do everything he can to live up to the honor from that point forward. I've watched a lot of these speeches, but this one might be my favorite.

[@nattyboh1000]

The pride of south baltimore...a true gentleman

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

The second member of the 1968 World Series Championship team to be inducted into Cooperstown.

[@depaola63]

My father Nick DePaola, Sr knew this man personally as well as the whole team ! You see he was a bartender in Lakeland, Fla ( TIGERS SPRING BALL ). in the 60's and took me to Oakland on May 27th, 1968 ( A brawl broke out I remember ! ) at age 5 and met these would be GREAT WS Champs ! * I have the baseball in a case they all signed for me , 50 long years ago !!

[@basilsmith104]

Awesome slugger.

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

The youngest man ever to win a batting title, 20 in 1955. I think he would have been a huge success in anything he would have done.

[@detroitvseverybody3813]

Mr Tiger

[@billsmith5985]

Heck- I'd call him Mr. Nice !!

[@kvernon1]

This was an outstanding induction speech. I wish every one of them took Al's philosophy of "I don't want to bore you with long lists of acknowledgements of many people you may not even know" 1:44 . I'm sorry, but 99.9% of the audience doesn't want to hear the player drone on and on thanking all these random people. Mr. Kaline's speech was short & sweet, and still touched all the bases. We should consider this speech his 400th career home run! So happy he got to experience a world championship with his 1968 Tigers!

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

Al was the FIRST player in the history of the major leagues to win rookie of the year. and a batting title....at 20, folks.

[@mysticakhenaton1701]

early in Al Kaline's career. Howard Cosell didn't think he was going to make it, make it in the big leagues. Howard was wrong, BIG TIME!!! by her demeanor, Al's wife looks very, elegant.

[@gvalley07]

Al's dad dabbing away tears...

[@basilsmith104]

Great centre fielder

[@johnsumner6593]

One of my favorite players, and i am a yankees fan

[@ronaldringler1497]

One of the most overlooked players ever. Class guy all the way.

[@danacoleman4007]

lol. what a ridiculous thing to say. overlooked by whom?😂😂😂

[@ronaldringler1497]

@@danacoleman4007 by many who worshipped mays, mantle, clemente, frank robinson, and a number of others. If you disagree, fine.

[@kevingohdcantgo10_0]

Anyone else here after he died.?