George Kell

Obviously, sad news regarding the passing of retired Tigers television play by play man (and member of the Hall of Fame) George Kell who died Tuesday at the age of 86.

Looking back now obviously as an adult, it does seem a little strange that someone with a quite heavy Arkansas accent would be calling games for the Tigers. Nobody but nobody talks that way around here. I didn't care. I loved George. Everybody did.

"It's a bright sunshawnee day for a bawlgame today."

"LOOK OUT!" said when someone hit a hot shot into the dugouts or the stands.

"He made a WHALE of a play". (As a child, I had difficulty processing this one as I just could not picture whales and baseball together. It still really doesn't seem right.)

And of course, "You ah so right, Al" (I once said this to my wife in a George Kell voice instead of "Yes dear". It just came out. She didn't get it.)

We will always love you, George.