George Kell 1922-2009 by Craig Calcaterra March 24, 2009 Hall of Fame third baseman, ten time All-Star, and 1949 batting champ George Kell has died. I knew him best as the play-by-play guy for Tigers’ games on WDIV in the 70s and 80s. He was paired with Al Kaline in those days, which made a rare double Hall-of-Fame broadcast combo. Kaline’s unsure commentary made Kell seem better than he was by comparison, I think, and in all honesty they both made me want to turn the sound down and click on Ernie Harwell on WJR for the background noise. Still, Kell was a pleasant presence on Tigers’ broadcasts, and though many will take shots at his borderline Hall of Fame credentials, he was always described as one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet, and that came through in his public appearances. Friend of ShysterBall Mike McClary interviewed Kell over at the Daily Fungo in March 2007. It’s worth a listen.