Detroit — Tigers general manager Al Avila nailed it. He perfectly nut-shelled what Al Kaline’s diverse role in the organization was these last two decades.
“He was like the father or the grandfather of the organization,” Avila said Wednesday in a teleconference. “You know when your daughter brings somebody home, it’s the father or grandfather who kind of gives him the up and down.
“Al was that guy. When you brought a new player or new person into the organization, he was the guy you met and if he put his arm around you then you were home and welcomed into the family.