It’s hard to believe that George Kell has been gone for almost a year. His passing seemed to set off a string of tragic news stories from the Detroit Tigers organization that sent shock waves throughout Tiger Nation.
The video clip below includes media coverage on the passing of Kell on March 24, 2009. These segments are from WDIV (Channel 4) in Detroit, the Tigers’ television station for almost 30 years.
Bernie Smilovitz remembers Kell with Eli Zaret and Al Kaline. A couple of vintage clips are shown, notably the Tigers clinching the AL East in 1987.
Next is coverage of a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park in April 2009. A flag with Kell’s initials is raised and the flag was flown at Comerica Park during the 2009 season.
On hand for the ceremony are Kell’s former broadcast partners Ernie Harwell and Al Kaline along with Kell’s grandson. John Keating provides some of the commentary and the Tigers public address announcer is Bobb Vergiels.