Al Kaline, Baseball, and the Gods of the Game

A long time ago there was a decade and a half, or so which most people born north of 2000 wouldn't recognize, or understand. It was slower and more primitive. It was also, in some ways more civilized and in others far more cruel and ruthless. It was an age ruled by the print media and three television networks. The nation was at peace, yet the threat of an apocalyptic war hung over everyone's head on a daily basis. Try to imagine a time when men in white uniforms hand delivered milk to your front door in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers.

It was during that blink of an eye, from 1955 to 1965, or 68, depending on your up bringing, the game of baseball ruled the sports world. At least for me and millions of other baby boomers it did.

Actually it was odd that it should, since the closest team to Oklahoma back in those days was the Kansas City Athletics who didn't arrive there until '55. Before the A's moved from Philadelphia the closest major league team was the St. Louis Cardinals. In fact until the Giants and Dodgers relocated to the west coast in 1957 14 of the 16 major league teams played their home games east of the Mississippi.

That doesn't mean baseball wasn't played far and wide. Minor league teams were scattered across the land in various classes of talent and experience. In addition colleges and high schools had teams, and most importantly. kids every where played little league games.

Perhaps that was the most important factor. There were basketball leagues for youngsters during the winter, but they were mostly confined to places like the YMCA, or Boy's Clubs, or church leagues. Football didn't come around until you were in Jr. High and the NFL, outside of a few locales, was at best a minor attraction. Hockey, which needed a sheet of ice, was confined to the far northeast and Canada. Besides way back when the NHL consisted of only six teams. If you had asked an American boy, or girl what soccer was in 1955, if they had any clue at all, they would have described it as some kind of, "kick ball," game.

All of which leads us to the magic of baseball during those days of yore. The games came to us over the radio, a perfect medium for it, and twice a week on TV if you weren't in a major league market. It was after Jackie Robinson had broken the color barrier and before the mass expansion of the leagues not only diluted the talent pool, but put more players on the field than you could possibly remember. The World Series games were played, as they should be, during the day and to get there you had to win your league in the regular season. No divisions, no wild cards, have the best record over 158 games, or go home.

During that time, because of the limited number of players, the stars on each team, were known not only in their home cities, but across the nation. Which brings us to Al Kaline, who passed away the other day at the age of 85. Kaline fell into that category of players I always refer to as the Gods of the Game.

No, he wasn't the greatest in that select number, but when the Detroit Tigers were taking the field Al Kaline was the first guy you thought of. He was the man you wanted to see, or listen about.

Other teams had players like that. With the White Sox it was either Nellie Fox, or Luis Aparicio. The Indians, Rocky Colavito. The Cubs, Ernie Banks. The Cardinals, Stan Musial. Hell, even the early Mets had Rusty Staub. That's right, the list goes on and on.

Al Kaline is still the youngest player to ever win an American League batting title. He hit .340 at the age of 20. He finished with 3,004 hits all time and 399 homeruns. He played his entire 20 plus year career in Detroit, which in this age of mercenaries and decisions made by corporate actuaries is an utterly alien concept.

He was a hell of ballplayer and a part of my youth I will always cherish. Quite simply it saddens me he is gone.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Tiger, You really were worth the price of a ticket to every game you played in.



sic vita est


4-7-20