George Kell

Pro team(s)

Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles

Hall of Fame

⭐ National Baseball Hall of Fame

George Kell was born on August 23, 1922, in Swifton, Arkansas (Jackson County), and became one of the premier third basemen of his era. He spent the best years of his career with the Detroit Tigers and is perhaps best remembered for winning the 1949 American League batting title on the final day of the season in one of the closest races in baseball history — he edged out Ted Williams .3429 to .3427 in a finish so tight that Williams would have won if he'd gotten just one more hit. Kell was a ten-time All-Star and is widely considered among the best fielding third basemen of the post-World War II era. He finished with a .306 career batting average over 15 seasons. After his playing career, Kell became a beloved broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers for over three decades, becoming as familiar to Michigan fans through his voice as through his bat. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.