George Kell has died at age 86.

One helluva ballplayer. I can vividly remember going to Oriole games to watch him play. One of the greatest hitting duels was the 1949 batting title, which (Detroit Tiger) Kell 'won' (Kell's average was .3429.... to Ted Williams' .3427). In my mind, neither one of them 'lost' that duel.

Kell was a real role model for my own rather unremarkable baseball accomplishments. I truly enjoyed the game as a kid (still do), and while I was generally a 'utility' player (anything but catcher).... 3rd base was my unabashed preference. My Dad was a 3rd baseman, so I was prejudiced from the beginning.... but Kell cemented my love for the "hot corner".

Thanks for the memories, George.

 

Slightly before my time, I was 3 years old then. I have been an avid baseball fan since I was a youngster. I was a Yankee fan, Mickey Mantle was my hero. He inspired me to become a switch hitter, I found that was equally bad from both sides of the plate. Although, I was slightly better from the left side. I have a 68 year old neighbor who belongs to a over 60 baseball team. They play games with other over 60's guys in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennesee. He told me that the most frustrating thing that happens, is sometimes they are playing the over 70's team and they get beat.

 

Sad news to say the least.

 

George was befor emy time, but i do respect the legends

 

Good player. Brooks Robinson had a similar work ethic. I grew up in Baltimore following the Orioles and of course the Colts. The "BALTIMORE COLTS". In 1957, I had polio, and my uncle arranged to have a signed letter and photo of Mickey Mantle sent to my home in Baltimore. Talk about a morale booster. Got over the polio and to this day I believe that gesture helped me recover.

 

WOW! That's a great story. I lost a friend to polio, when I was 8 years old.

 

Luckily I had the 3 required polio shots and a doctor who actually made house calls and gave me shots of penicillin. The letter from Mick was the catalyst that lifted my spirits and helped me recover. Sorry about your friend.