Al Kaline, the man who became known as “Mr. Tiger” across 22 splendid seasons with the Detroit Tigers, died Monday at the age of 85, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Kaline, the Hall of Fame right fielder, was an 18-time All-Star, led the Tigers to a World Series championship in 1968 and racked up 3,007 career hits with a .297 batting average before retiring in 1974.
The revered icon later became a color commentator and member of the Tigers’ front office.
“Such a kind and generous man who meant so much to so many,” former Tigers ace Justin Verlander tweeted Monday. “I hope you knew how much I enjoyed our conversations about baseball, life, or just giving each other a hard time. I am honored to have been able to call you my friend for all these years. R.I.P. Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline.”
A cause of death was not immediately available, according to the Free Press. Kaline died at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.