While he was still playing, the Tigers had two different "Al Kaline" days to honor him. I was able to tag along with my cousin and his family to attend the second one. It's my favorite professional baseball memory.
I remember hearing the story that he turned down a $100,000 salary offer from the Tigers, claiming that no professional athlete was worth that kind of money. Not sure if it's true, but it goes to his legacy of decency.
A friend of mine has been a major, major fan of Al Kaline for years, despite being too young to ever see him play live. He had a chance to meet him at a Tigers training camp here in Florida and his wife had to do all the talking as my friend was speechless meeting his hero. So Al continue to thrill them even after his playing days were long gone.
RIP.
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