George Kell died yesterday, in his sleep, at the age of 86.
I don't watch or listen to baseball much anymore, but I remember growing up as a kid in Detroit and watching him and Al Kaline broadcast Tigers games, back when the team was winning in the mid-80s. They, along with Ernie Harwell (who is 91!!) and Paul Carey were the voices of the team, and they were all that was good and great with the baseball tradition. It is a part of your childhood, to listen to the games with Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Tom Brookens, Chet Lemon, Darrell Evans, Willie Hernandez, et. al. I still remember those names twenty-five years later, this year. I think the first sports team you ever followed and cared about, you don't forget. Baseball or football or hockey or basketball teams that win and unite the community, make you share that pride of ownership, and offer loyalty, those are so crucial. It would be awesome if the Tigers could compete again after the last couple of off years.
R.I.P. to the voice of summer.
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