George Kell
From BR Bullpen
George Clyde Kell- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 175 lb.
- School Arkansas State University
- Debut September 28, 1943
- Final Game September 14, 1957
- Born August 23, 1922 in Swifton, AR USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1983
[edit] Biographical Information
George Kell is a Hall of Fame third baseman who was a 10-time All Star and won the 1949 American League batting championship.
From Arkansas, Kell played for several American League teams, including the Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles, all as a very fine third baseman. He barely nipped Ted Williams for the batting championship one year, 1949, and he ended up with a lifetime batting average over .300. He was good at hitting doubles, but occasionally struggled with a bad back.
He parlayed his soft Southern voice into a long career as a Tiger TV broadcaster, teaming for years with Al Kaline. A genuinely nice person who was liked by many folks.
Kell enrolled at the Arkansas State University after being rejected for service in World War II by the United States military. While he attended school, he did not play baseball for the team.
"He doesn't have the power of Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams, but... every time you look up, he's on the bases. Bunting, stealing and on the hit-and-run, he drives you nuts. He's a player of the old school." - Ted Lyons
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 10-time AL All-Star (1947-1954, 1956 & 1957)
- AL Batting Average Leader (1949)
- AL At Bats Leader (1950)
- 2-time AL Hits Leader (1950 & 1951)
- AL Singles Leader (1951)
- 2-time AL Doubles Leader (1950 & 1951)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1950)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1950)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1950)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1983
