Hawkins, J: AL KALINE

Jim Hawkins is the author of seven books, five of which are about the Tigers, including a biography of Mark "the Bird" Fidrych and the autobiography of Ron LeFlore, which was published in three languages and made into a TV movie starring LeVar Burton. He began covering Al Kaline and the Detroit Tigers as a reporter in 1970. He lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Ernie Harwell was the voice of the Detroit Tigers for 42 years.

For more than a half century, as a superstar ballplayer, television broadcaster, and front office executive, Al Kaline has personified the Detroit Tigers like no one else. In the Tigers' clubhouse of today, stars such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander?neither of whom were even born when he played in the major leagues?respectfully address him as "Mr. Kaline." Tigers fans around the country of every generation refer to him simply as "Mr. Tiger." Now, for the first time, the life and career of this remarkable individual are presented in this compelling new biography. Learn how the skinny, shy youngster with a deformed foot and an undying love for the game of baseball went straight from high school and the sandlots of Baltimore to the big leagues where, at the age of 20, he became the youngest batting champion in baseball history. That achievement marked the start of a first-ballot Hall of Fame career that would carry him to 3,000 hits and a plaque on the hallowed wall at Cooperstown.