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SIX In '53 a slender kid from Baltimore, is what my great grand-dad saw. An 18 year old rookie broke in the majors with his talent so rare and raw. A successful career was being born, a young outfielder lived his dream. Not a single day spent in the minors, going straight to his big league team. Across the front of his white jersey, was an old-fashioned English D. Displayed across his back proudly he wore number '6' for all to see. Grandpa watched a young man win the American Leauge batting crown. A remarkable feat hitting .340, in only his second year of being around. Together dad and I watched him, though we both didn't see him the same. Dad saw a kid as a hero, while I watched a hero play a young man's game. Twenty two years a Detroit Tiger, amassed three thousand and seven hits. Three hundred and ninety-nine homers, plus ten defensive 'golden-mitts'. A .297 lifetime hitter, eighteen times he played in the All-Star Game. He retired in 1974, and later enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame. He quietly led teammates by 'doing' often without cause to celebrate. His great leadership reflected most, winning the World Series in '68. My kids witnessed the baseball great, doing television commentary. The consummate Tiger larger than life, immortal and legendary. For generations records come and go, as many numbers rise and soar. No number bigger, shined brighter or beloved, than the 6 Al Kaline wore. |
Additional Notes:
I realize that this poem only has certain appeal on a regional basis, most likely only to a Detroit Tiger fan. Every other part of the country has a major league team which clearly is 'an opposition'. None the less, Al Kaline was one of my 'boyhood heroes' and has accomplished many feats as a baseball player, a TV color man and also as a man. He was labeled by the organization as their 'Consummate Tiger' and after being admitted into the Hall of Fame, his jersey was retired. In the Tiger's new park, Comerica Park they have erected a statue of him over rightfield, along with other Tiger greats.
For what it may be worth, this poem was not written for some high score, but only as my tribute to him and Tiger fans everywhere.
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