DETROIT — There are no current plans for a public ceremony for Al Kaline’s death, Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila said on Wednesday afternoon.
Kaline, who died on Monday at age 85, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with his family, Avila said.
The Tigers will hold a public ceremony, Avila said. That ceremony — which likely will be held at Comerica Park — is impacted by the current coronavirus pandemic, with the state of Michigan in a stay-at-home order and the Centers of Disease Control recommending no public gatherings of more than 50 persons.
But, Avila said, “We have a team of people working on that. He will be honored the way that a man of his stature should be.”
Avila said the virus had no impact on Kaline’s death.
“It was just health issues that an 85-year-old person over time has,” Avila said. “I don’t know of any one particular thing that I was told, as far as that’s concerned.”
Since 2002, Kaline had worked as a special assistant to the general manager. Prior to Avila, former Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski held that title. He spent more than 65 years in the organization as a Hall of Fame player, broadcaster and front office figure.
“It’s a family,” Avila said. “And he was the head of the family. Once he put his arm around you, you knew you were at home and part of the family
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