By STEVE KORNACKI
FOXSPORTSDETROIT.COM
DETROIT – Tigers Hall of Fame right fielder Al Kaline made
his Major League debut 60 years ago today on June 25, 1953 against the
Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park. He was a “bonus baby,” days away from his
graduation from Southern High in Baltimore, and hung his clothes from a nail in
the clubhouse bathroom that night.
In the ninth inning, Tigers manager Fred Hutchinson said, “Kid,
grab a bat.” Kaline said he selected a bat that was too heavy for him and went
up against pitcher Harry Byrd for the first of 11,596 plate appearances. However, he
did not produce the first of his 3,007 hits.
“I hit the first pitch and flew out to center,” said Kaline,
leaning back in a chair at the locker he has in the Comerica Park clubhouse
next to Doug Fister’s. “It was the only time I was happy to make an out; I was
scared to death.”
Kaline wore No. 25 that season and didn’t wear No. 6 until
1954, after outfielder Pat Mullin left and the number became available.
“My favorite player was Stan Musial,” Kaline said of the St.
Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer who also wore No. 6. “I asked, ‘Is there any way I
can have it?’ ”
Kaline said he had to “tell the truth” and admitted that he
signed with Detroit and scout Ed Katalinas before playing in a semi-pro
tournament.
“I can’t let my team down,” Kaline said the told Katalinas
of his need to play in the tourney before joining the Tigers.
Kaline said Katalinas’ response was: “Don’t tell anybody and
don’t get hurt.”
The first hit came two weeks later, on July 8 at Comiskey
Park in Chicago in a game with the White Sox. It was a single to center off Cuban right-handed reliever Luis Aloma.
Kaline rode the train with teammates in the “upper berth
over the wheels” that went to rookies and became second baseman Johnny Pesky’s
shadow to learn the game. And he noted that some teammates weren’t thrilled
with him taking up a roster spot fresh out of high school – which was required
for players signing for high bonus figures as Kaline did.
“But after I won the batting title (hitting .340 in 1955),”
Kaline said, “we were best friends.”
His eyes sparkled and he chuckled while recalling it all.
BULLPEN UPDATE: Tigers manager Jim Leyland said everybody is
available in the bullpen Tuesday night with the exception of left-hander Drew
Smyly, who threw 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s win over the Boston Red Sox.
Leyland said he read reports where Joaquin Benoit said he’d
never been told by Leyland that he was the new closer. However, Benoit had no
problem with that.
Leyland clarified that Tuesday by saying he never named
Benoit the closer. Leyland said his noting that Benoit will pitch ninth innings
with leads if available might have been taken out of context to determine
Benoit was the closer. He said that
Smyly will get the call in some instances if Benoit has pitched consecutive
games and multiple left-handed hitters are due up in the closing situation.
AVILA UPDATE: Tigers catcher
Alex Avila began his rehabilitation assignment Sunday with the Toledo Mud Hens,
and is hitless in his first eight at-bats. Avila was hitting .172 before going
on the disabled list June 17 with a bruised left arm suffered from being hit by
a pitch.
Leyland was asked if being healthy was all that mattered for
Avila, who can rejoin the club July 3.
“No, no,” Leyland said. “He’s got to get his swing going.”
Avila does a masterful job with Detroit’s pitching staff in
a basic platoon with switch-hitter Brayan Pena, but he’s going to have to
produce more offensively. Leyland has shown patience with Avila, the All-Star
Game starter in 2011. But at some point the club is going to be faced with a
hard decision if Avila can’t produce enough with his bat.
VERLANDER & SANCHEZ:
Leyland said he would not skip a start with Justin Verlander after two shaky,
five-inning outings. He did say that pitcher Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) could
possibly make one rehabilitation starting assignment before rejoining the team.
He’s eligible to come off the disabled list July 2.
ALL-STAR GAME SELECTIONS:
Leyland, who last managed the American League All-Stars in 2007, said he
spent time Tuesday calling AL managers whom he hasn’t spoken with personally in
recent weeks. He was asking about the players they saw as “worthy of All-Star
Game selection” to assure “nobody slips through the cracks.”
Leyland said he will pick five position players and two
pitchers, and must take into account the need for every team to be represented.
Once the fan voting for the starting lineup and the player selections are
announced, Leyland will pick the remainder of the roster along with the fan
vote.
