This whole movement thing was a contributing factor in losing some interest in pro sports for me. Hard to fine many Al Kaline's any longer. It's all business and 600 folks in the portal sure undercuts the idea of a "student-athlete."
As a huge Tigers fan, I am in agreement that Kaline, may he rest in peace, was in a class by himself as a person and player. But why choose a guy who skipped college entirely for this conversation? Because he spent his entire career with Detroit? He retired in 1974, two years after Flood vs Kuhn but two years before new collective bargaining basically ushered in free agency. So Kaline didn't have a lot of options, although because he was such a fine person and loyal to the Tigers who have a long tradition of being a players-club, I doubt he would have gone anywhere even if he did have options. It was all business for Al the day after he graduated from Baltimore's Southern High School and his focus on his business made him one of the all-time greats.
Let’s be honest, Al Kaline had NO CHOICE but to stay with the Tigers. He was their bitch so to speak. Owned 110% by the organization. Kaline had 2 choices, play for what they paid him (which like others, he probably sold cars, insurance or something in the off season), or not get paid.
Yes, it was great when guys (in all sports) played their careers in one city, but, the reality is those guys had NO choice. They literally took what the owner was willing to give him, while the profit margin of the “man” was obscene!