LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — George Kell, a Hall of Fame third baseman who edged Ted Williams for the 1949 American League batting title and became a Detroit Tigers broadcaster for nearly 40 years, died Tuesday. He was 86.
The Hall of Fame said he died in his sleep at his home in Swifton, Ark. No cause was given. Kell was severely injured in a car crash in 2004 but was able to walk with a cane about six months later.
Kell outlasted Williams for the 1949 batting crown, hitting .34291 while the Boston Red Sox great finished at .34276. Kell played 15 seasons, hitting more than .300 nine times and compiling a career average of .306. He was a 10-time all-star.
“I grew up idolizing Stan Musial and George Kell,” said Brooks Robinson, another Hall of Fame third baseman from Arkansas. “I played a lot of baseball in Swifton and Newport, where George is from. . . . He was a hero to me on and off the field.”
Kell played from 1943-1957 with the Philadelphia Athletics, Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles. He topped .300 each year from 1946-53.
After he retired, Kell broadcast Tigers games from 1959-96 — every year except 1964. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 by the Veterans Committee.
Hamels tests elbow
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies ace Cole Hamels pitched in a minor-league game, his first start since experiencing elbow tightness last week.
The World Series MVP threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against Pirates minor-leaguers at Philadelphia’s spring training complex. It was his first appearance in a game since receiving an anti-inflammatory shot in his arm last Tuesday.
“It felt good,” Hamels said after his first outing since March 15. “I think it was really just trying to establish feeling each pitch, one at a time, in each inning. And that was kind of the big thing — how I’d feel in between innings. And I felt great.”
Hamels allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five of his 13 batters. He threw 35-of-48 pitches for strikes.
Footnotes.
The Athletics and manager Bob Geren agreed on a one-year contract extension, with a club option for 2011.
• Red Sox right-hander John Smoltz, coming back from shoulder surgery in June, is set for his first full bullpen session today. He is scheduled to throw around 30 pitches.
• The Indians sent left-hander Jeremy Sowers and outfield prospects Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley to the minors.
The Associated Press
