George Kell Detroit Tigers Coverage

Coverage on the passing of Hall of Famer George Kell on March 24, 2009. These pieces are from WDIV in Detroit, the Tigers television station for almost 30 years. Bernie Smilovitz remembers Kell with Eli Zaret and Al Kaline. A couple of vintage clips are shown, notably the Tigers clinching the AL East in 1987.
Next is coverage of a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park in April 2009. A flag with Kell's initials is raised and the flag was flown at Comerica Park during the 2009 season. On hand for the ceremony are Kell's former broadcast partners Ernie Harwell and Al Kaline along with Kell's grandson. John Keating provides some of the commentary, the Tigers public address announcer is Bobb Vergiels.

[@eddievonb.7463]

Kell will always be my favorite broadcaster. It wasn't Summer without George Kell doing a Tiger's game.

[@Nhamp2000]

I grew up watching George and Al on TV and now they're both gone. I'm glad they showed my favorite moment here, which was the end of the '87 regular season. Kell and Kaline were class acts, and now they're up there with Ernie and Paul.

[@robertflowers6621]

What wonderful baseball voices both George Kell and Ernie Harwell had! Those two voices were the sound of spring and summer in Michigan and beyond for many decades.

[@Doug41160]

4:57 This is a gem!

[@rklewis2]

I miss that voice so much. Everyone used to imitate him while we were playing pickup games, or jet ball. No one has come remotely close since. RIP George, and thank ya very much!

[@williamsnyder5616]

The best Kell story I remember was one day when he was announcing with Larry Osterman and he said, "You know fans, I got this letter from a fan who asked me to pronounce 'Cincinnati' as 'Cincinnatee,' not 'Cincinnatuh." I've heard fans and I will make the change." Two or three innings later, George said, "Here's a score in from St. Louis. The Cardinals just scored a run to beat Cincinnatuh, 2-1."

[@racesmith20]

I can still hear his voice saying "This is George Kell, with Tiger Baseball."

[@lloydkline1518]

❤️George kell

[@smichaels10]

Tiger baseball voice of my childhood. RIP George .

[@bravesrule384]

Kell last year, and Sparky Anderson this year. RIP Sparky Anderson.

[@maxcareyhof]

On the description, I mention Mr. Vergiels by name as he was the PA announcer at the Kell flag raising ceremony.

[@jamesbowen8960]

"Thanks Larry and Good Afternoon Everyone! Here's McAuliffe to lead it off,he'll be followed by Stanley and then Kaline!"

[@aacrobatt1705]

I love the stories he told about Ted Williams he was very educational him and Ralph kiner were the best.

[@chuckhill5026]

They are going to wave him in!

[@paultigerfan7]

WE HAVE LOST 4 GREAT PEOPLE OVER THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARS.GEORGE KELL, "THE BIRD", ERNIE HARWELL & SPARKY.WE MISS YOU ALL...R.I.P.

[@bobrob8588]

Luved the way he u to say"TIGER BASEBALL"

[@illustrate100]

George Kell on a windy summer day in Detroit "Ladys and gentlemen, we have trash blowing gully washer today"

[@bravesrule384]

@auntbecky yea, bout forgot about Ernie Harwell. Braves fans such as myself know all too well about losing a iconic broadcaster/announcer....we lost Skip Caray in 08.

[@auntbecky]

@bravesrule384 Don't forget we lost Ernie too.......