Latest news with #ChetLemon
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mitch Albom: Without his frayed friend, Tigers' Chet Lemon feels lost
Mitch Albom: Without his frayed friend, Tigers' Chet Lemon feels lost Show Caption Hide Caption Detroit Tigers fans react to Chet Lemon's return during 1984 party Following a Q&A session with the 1984 Detroit Tigers, fans rejoiced in the return of Chet Lemon to Comerica Park on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Editor's note: This column originally ran in the Detroit Free Press on April 11, 1986. Chet Lemon died on May 8, 2025. A note from Mitch: I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chet Lemon. He was a joy to cover with the Tigers in the 80's, always upbeat, always positive. He also had a unique relationship with his ratty old glove, which had been through the wars with him for many years. Upon his passing, I thought it would be nice to revisit the time he discovered that old glove was gone, and how he dealt with it and adjusted. Somehow, given all Chet went through later in life, with blood clots and strokes, the perseverance element seemed even more poignant. Chet's positive spirit will be sorely missed. The glove was gone. It was just gone. Everything else happening around Chet Lemon, all the players shaking hands and welcoming each other back, it didn't matter. Because the glove was gone. 'Have you seen it?' he asked. The equipment man said no. 'I thought I left it here,' he said. The equipment man said no. Every spring the players return, every spring Lemon gets his glove. The glove. The Rawlings Fastback Model with the picture of the cow in the pocket that says, 'Heart of the Hide.' The glove with the frayed strings and the leather that had turned white. The natty, smelly old glove. The glove they wrote stories about. The glove he's been using in center field, what? Nine years? Ten? The Rawlings Fastback Model. With the picture of the cow. 'It was like a plumber's tools,' he said. It was his glove. Every year the manufacturers sent him four new, recently oiled models. And he just gave them away. 'My glove is magic,' he said. And now the glove was gone. 125 years: The Epic History of the Tigers Like an old friend They looked for it. They couldn't find it. Did someone take it? Did Lemon lose it? No one knew. This was all anyone knew. The glove was gone. 'I was sure I left it here (at Tiger Stadium),' he said. 'That's what I always do, because if I take it home, I might lose it, or forget to pack it. Then they bring it down to spring training. But this year it wasn't there. And I got back up here and it isn't here. I can't believe it's gone.' How many dives? How many shoestring catches? How many collisions with the walls were in that glove? The best. The worst. Wherever he went in the outfield, it went with him. Nine years? Ten? How many dives? 'Hey, Hondo. Tell him about my old glove, man,' Lemon yelled to teammate Larry Herndon. 'Hondo asks me how I make those catches, man, and I say I just wave that glove out there and the ball goes fffffttttt!' — he smacks his hand— 'right into the glove.' 'Yep,' said Herndon, smiling.'Fffffffffft!' 'Yep,' said Lemon, nodding. 'Ball just jumped in,' Herndon said. 'Ffffffffft!' Lemon repeated. He talked about it like an old friend. Like an old drinking buddy. They had been in Chicago. And New York, and Milwaukee. They had fallen down steps together. Sang the blues together. Walked each other home. They had been to a World Series. How many dives? 'It was a nasty old thing,' he said. 'People were always telling me to get rid of it. They were afraid to stick their hands in it. But it was my glove. Only one I wanted.' Getting leather ready He was holding a new glove now. A substitute. A new Rawlings Fastback with the picture of the cow in the pocket. The model has been discontinued. But the Rawlings people found one lying around their warehouses. The knuckles on his right hand were swollen from slapping his fist into the new pocket, trying to wear it in. Over and over. Punch, punch. How much did he miss the old glove? That's how much. Four swollen knuckles. 'It still ain't ready yet,' Lemon said, looking at the stranger on his hand. 'I've been working on it. I told my wife to put it in the driveway and run over it a couple of times, and then throw it in the dirt, and then maybe it'll look like the old one.' He laughed, then sighed. 'But it won't feel like it.' You hear of players who won't let you touch their bats. Or polish their shoes. Or pitchers who have to wear the same T- shirt when they start a game. Equipment and performance are often tied together by heartstrings. Especially in baseball. 'The first day with a new glove was terrible, man,' Lemon said. 'I didn't feel right out there.' He looked at his new partner. 'This is gonna take time,' he said. 'Just lots of time.' Maybe, Lemon said, the old one will show up again. Maybe it's in the stadium somewhere. Or behind some box or in a back room. Maybe someone will return it. The Rawlings Fastback Model. With the frayed strings and the skinny leather and the picture of the cow in the pocket, although you can't even see the cow anymore. 'Sad,' someone said. 'Like a plumber's tools,' he repeated. Life is a series of involvements. And somewhere in between the teddy bear and the mortgage there is the glove. Man and his glove. The more time together, the stronger the attachment. You can't explain it to non-glove people. You can just slap your fist into the pocket. Chet Lemon was slapping. And he stopped for a second. He looked at the glove, as if listening for familiar music. But there was no fffffffft! 'It won't be the same, will it?' someone asked him. 'It won't be the same,' he said. More Albom: Is college worth it anymore? Maybe it depends on the reason you're going Contact Mitch Albom: malbom@ Check out the latest updates with his charities, books and events at Follow him @mitchalbom.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chet Lemon, joyful Tigers World Series hero and L.A. Fremont High product, dies at 70
Former Detroit Tigers player Chet Lemon throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 5, 2016, in Detroit. Lemon, who played for both teams, died Thursday. (Duane Burleson/Associated Press) Chet Lemon, a product of Los Angeles Fremont High during its heyday who became a three-time All-Star outfielder and a World Series champion during a 16-year major league career, died Thursday at age 70 after a decades-long fight with a blood disorder. Lemon was a first-round draft pick of the Oakland Athletics at age 17 in 1972 and starred with the Chicago White Sox from 1975-81 and the Detroit Tigers from 1982-90, finishing with a .273 batting average, 215 homers, 396 doubles and 884 runs batted in. Advertisement He was the center fielder on the Tigers' 1984 World Series championship team — making a spectacular catch to cement a Game 3 victory over the San Diego Padres — and became a favorite of eventual Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson. 'After watching Chester the last several years, I have to say without a doubt, he's the best center fielder I've seen in my 31 years in the game,' Anderson said in 1984. 'Chester is a Pete Rose type. He never complains. He's always there and he plays each game as if it were the seventh game of the World Series. Chester doesn't know any other way to play and that's his greatest asset. Detroit Tigers right fielder Chet Lemon takes a low-five from teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run on April 22, 1982, in New York. (Ray Stubblebine / Associated Press) "Combine all that with his little-boy desire to want to play every day and it is no wonder Chester has all those fans who sit in the bleachers in the palm of his hand.' Advertisement The Tigers and White Sox both posted condolences on X. 'The Detroit Tigers join all of baseball in mourning the passing of Chet Lemon,' the Tigers statement read. 'While he was a World Series champion and All-Star on the field, perhaps his biggest impact came off of it. That includes creating the Chet Lemon Foundation and dedicating much of his post-playing career to youth baseball development. Our thoughts are with Chet's family, friends and all those he coached, mentored and inspired.' Former Tigers catcher Lance Parrish was one of several former teammates who remembered Lemon fondly. 'Chet was the kindest of men and always had that great smile on his face,' Parrish said in a statement. 'He was also a fierce competitor on the baseball field and a great teammate. I loved him like a brother.' Detroit's Chet Lemon races to first to beat the throw after grounding to San Diego shortstop Garry Templeton during Game 3 of the World Series at Detroit's Tiger Stadium on Oct. 12, 1984. (Ron Heflin/AP) Chester Earl Lemon was born in Jackson, Miss., on Feb. 12, 1955. He was the oldest of Ralph and Gloria Lemon's four children and the family moved to Los Angeles when Chet was a child. Fremont High was a City Section power that produced a string of major leaguers including Bob Watson, Willie Crawford, Bobby Tolan and George Hendrick under legendary coach Phil Pote. Advertisement Pote had become a scout with the A's by the time Lemon graduated from Fremont and they made him the 22nd overall pick in the June draft. Lemon hit well in the minor leagues but was a poor fielder at third base and shortstop. The A's traded him to the White Sox in 1975 while he was in triple-A. "I was ready in 1975 but had nowhere to play," Lemon told White Sox Interactive. "I was an infielder and Oakland had guys like Sal Bando and Bert Campaneris in those positions. I had heard a lot of talk about teams being interested in me. When I found out about the deal, I thought it was a great move. I was finally going to get my chance — and in a big market as well.' The White Sox moved Lemon to center field and he flourished, cracking the starting lineup in 1976, setting a still-standing AL record with 512 putouts in center field in 1977 and making the American League All-Star team in 1978 and '79. 'It was a great feeling to be recognized as one of the best players,' Lemon said of his All-Star selections. 'What also was nice was getting to know the other guys. You realize that they are all just like you." Advertisement Lemon's best season came in 1979 when he led the AL with 44 doubles and set career highs in batting average (.318) and RBIs (86). He also led the league in a less glamorous category: hit by pitches. It was the first of four seasons he was hit more than any other batter in the league, and he was plunked 151 times during his career, ranking 25th on the all-time list. Read more: Scout's honor: It's Phil Pote Why? He crowded the plate. "I don't think I realized I was that close to the plate,' he said. 'You know, I actually didn't mind being pitched inside. I felt I could always turn on pitches. If you look at my hits, like all those doubles, I think you'll find that I went down the left-field line in most of them." Advertisement Lemon was traded to Detroit after the 1981 season for outfielder Steve Kemp. Three years later, Lemon became an All-Star for the third time and helped the Tigers win the World Series for the first time since 1968. 'Chet Lemon is the best center fielder in the game today,' Anderson said in 1984. 'He isn't the fastest, but he's the best at it because he works harder at it than anyone else.' Detroit centerfielder Chet Lemon takes a fly from Terry Kennedy to end the Padres half of the seventh inning in Game 4 of the World Series at Tiger Stadium on Oct. 13, 1984. Detroit beat San Diego 5-2. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press) Lemon continued to produce for the Tigers until 1991 when they released him at the end of spring training. Lemon noticed that it was taking him longer to recover from injuries and went to a doctor. "I remember saying to myself, 'Am I getting old?' because I always took care of myself,' he said. 'In spring training 1991 the Tigers discovered that I had too many red blood cells in my body. The Tigers thought the numbers they got were wrong. My stomach was always hurting. I thought maybe I had an ulcer or it was just stress. The doctors couldn't find out what was causing it. They finally did an ultrasound and discovered that I had tiny blood clots in my portal veins. Advertisement "About 30 minutes after they discovered that, I was rushed to intensive care, hooked up to machines and given blood thinners. Not only did I have blood clots but I had too much blood and it was too thick, like a slush." Read more: 'We're not guaranteed 3,000 at-bats.' What it's like to have a one-game MLB career Lemon nearly died from his blood disorder, polycythemia vera, spending three months in the hospital. 'Just trying to turn over in bed was agonizing," he said. "I was being fed intravenously. I did not want to eat, I couldn't eat. I lost about 60 or 70 pounds and was down to about 130 pounds.' Advertisement Lemon was a Jehovah's Witness and declined to receive blood transfusions. Surgery was ruled out because he was on blood thinners to prevent clots. Still, Lemon recovered and eventually coached high school baseball near his home in Apopka, Fla. He started the Chet Lemon School of Baseball in Lake Mary, Fla. in 1993, became president of the Amateur Athletic Union district near Orlando, and from 2001 to 2008 coached at Eustis High School, leading the team to a state title in 2003. Former Detroit player Chet Lemon is presented with a framed Tigers jersey by Willie Horton before a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 5, 2016, in Detroit. Lemon was honored as part of Negro League weekend at Comerica Park. (Duane Burleson / Associated Press) Future MLB stars Prince Fielder, Zack Greinke, Casey Kotchman, and brothers Rickie and Jemile Weeks trained under Lemon, who also established the Chet Lemon Foundation, which provides support for people affected by strokes and aphasia. Advertisement 'He was a coach, a friend and a mentor who will be highly missed by many in our Central Florida baseball community,' Central Florida coach Rich Wallace told the Orlando Sentinel. Lemon suffered strokes in recent years that left him unable to walk or talk. He attended the 40th anniversary of the Tigers' World Series title in Detroit in September 2024. He was in a wheelchair but enjoyed the reunion. Read more: Wes Parker has fond memories of his Dodgers career, and no regrets that he ended it "Chet was a cherished teammate and friend," former teammate and Hall of Famer Alan Trammell said in a statement. "I'm so thankful for the time we spent together last summer when the 1984 team had its 40th reunion at Comerica Park. Today is a sad day for us. He will be dearly missed." Advertisement Lemon is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Gigi, and their daughter, Brianna. Lemon's first wife was Valerie Jones, with whom he had four children: Geneva, Chester Jr., David, and Marcus, who played 11 years of minor league baseball. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former All-Star player Chet Lemon passes away at 70
The baseball community is in mourning today as former legendary player, Chet Lemon departs the world. The news of Lemon passing away came after midnight and has left all players and fans shocked. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fans from all over the world are expressing their grief over social media, and remembering the player's best moments. How was Chet Lemon's health condition? As per sources, Chet Lemon did have several health conditions previously. He was suffering from a rare blood condition called Polycythemia vera, which causes thickening of blood due to an increase in RBC production in the body. Lemon also suffered a total of 13 strokes post his retirement in 1990, due to which it became difficult for him to walk and talk. Lemon made his last public appearance on August 31, 2024, to celebrate the Detroit Tigers ' 40th anniversary of winning the World Series title. He played a crucial role in helping the team lift the trophy in 1984. He was picked by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of MLB-draft in 1972, after which he switched to Chicago White Sox in 1975, and remained with the team till 1981. In 1982, Lemon transferred to Detroit Tigers, and stayed loyal to the team till 1990, the year he finally took retirement from baseball. During his time in baseball, Lemon won the All-Star player award three times, in 1978, 1979, and 1984, and World Series Championship in 1984. He also set the record for center-fielders with 509 putouts, back in 1977, which remained unbroken till 30 years. Post retirement he created the Chet Lemon foundation which focuses on providing deserving athletes scholarships, and support. The foundation also helps patients suffering from strokes and aphasia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fans reacting to Chet Lemon passing away The departure of Lemon has left everyone saddened, and fans are expressing themselves on social media. Michael Freda went on to say, 'Chet Lemon was an outstanding player! May he rest in peace.' One fan went on to say, 'He was my grandma's favorite baseball player, RIP Chet.' Another fan posted, 'I will forever remember watching Chet 'The Jet' in my childhood years! My condolences to his family.' Though Chet Lemon passed away at the age of 70, he left a big impact on various lives. His dedication towards the game is still discussed amongst players, while his unwavering kindness and giving back to the community helped various athletes achieve their dreams. Here's to the king! May you rest in peace. Also Read:
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Chet Lemon, three-time All-Star and World Series champion, dead at 70
Chet Lemon, a 16-year MLB veteran and 1984 World Series champion, died on Thursday. He was 70. 'He was sleeping on his reclining sofa,' his wife, Gigi Lemon, told the Detroit Free Press. 'He just wasn't responsive.' Lemon, who was suffering from a rare blood disease and endured three strokes over the past 30 years, was ultimately left unable to walk and talk during the final years of his life. 4 Former Detroit Tiger Chet Lemon with Detroit Tigers' Cameron Maybin pose before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, June 5, 2016, in Detroit. AP 4 Former Detroit Tiger Chet Lemon (L) is greeted by teammate Dave Rozema during a ceremony to honor their 1984 World Series championship before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on August 31, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images The outfielder made one of his final public appearances at Comerica Park last August to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tigers' World Series championship team, taking part in the festivities from his wheelchair near Detroit's dugout. 'The Detroit Tigers join all of baseball in mourning the passing of Chet Lemon,' the team said in a statement on Thursday. 'While he was a World Series Champion and All-Star on the field, perhaps his biggest impact came off of it. 'That includes creating the Chet Lemon Foundation, and dedicating much of his post-playing career to youth baseball development. Our thoughts are with Chet's family, friends and all those he coached, mentored and inspired.' Lemon was drafted by the Athletics in the first round of the 1972 MLB Draft before he was traded to the White Sox ahead of his rookie year in 1975. 4 Detroit Tigers outfielder Chet Lemon takes a low-five from teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run, Thursday, April 22, 1982 in New York. AP During the 1977 season, Lemon set an American League record for outfielders with 512 putouts, which still stands to this day. Throughout his 16 seasons in MLB, Lemon batted .273 with 215 home runs, along with being named to three All-Star teams. After spending seven years with the White Sox as their centerfielder, Lemon was traded to Detroit following the 1981 season and played a large role on the Tigers' 1984 World Series team, with manager Sparky Anderson saying that he was the best center fielder he had seen in decades. 4 Former Detroit Tiger Chet Lemon acknowledges the crowd as he walks to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the ALCS between the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, in Detroit. AP 'Chet was a cherished teammate and friend,' former teammate and Hall of Famer Alan Trammell said in a statement. 'I'm so thankful for the time we spent together last summer when the 1984 team had its 40th reunion at Comerica Park. Today is a sad day for us. He will be dearly missed.' Lemon retired from baseball in 1990 at 35 years old. 'Chet was the kindest of men and always had that great smile on his face,' former teammate and Tigers great Lance Parrish added. 'He was also a fierce competitor on the baseball field and a great teammate. I loved him like a brother.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chet Lemon, 3-time All-Star and 1984 World Series champion with Detroit Tigers, dies at 70
Chet Lemon, a three-time Major League Baseball All-Star and member of the 1984 World Series champion Detroit Tigers, died Thursday at the age of 70. Lemon played 16 seasons in the major leagues after the Oakland Athletics made him their first-round pick (No. 22 overall) in the 1972 MLB Draft. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1975 and played seven seasons there. He led the American League with 44 doubles in 1979, batting .318 with an .887 OPS, and was named an All-Star for the second consecutive year. Advertisement In 1982, Lemon was traded to the Tigers in exchange for Steve Kemp, and he immediately became a valuable part of Detroit's lineup. Two seasons later, he had his best season with the Tigers, helping the team to a World Series title. During his 1984 All-Star season, Lemon hit .287 with an .852 OPS, 20 home runs, 34 doubles and 76 RBI as the Tigers' center fielder. In the World Series, he hit .294/.368/.294 with one RBI and two stolen bases. His standout moment in the series was in Game 3. In the seventh inning, Lemon made a twisting catch in center field on a deep drive by the San Diego Padres' Terry Kennedy that initially looked as if it would go over his head. Lemon played nine seasons with the Tigers, also helping Detroit to a 1987 AL East title with 30 doubles, 20 homers, 75 RBI and a .277/.376/.481 average. He joined his 1984 teammates at Comerica Park in 2024 for the 40-year anniversary of that World Series championship team, and many learned of his deteriorated physical condition then. Since retiring after the 1990 season, Lemon had endured several blood clots, hundreds of hospital visits and at least 13 strokes that left him unable to walk or talk. It was a shocking development for so many who remembered Lemon's athleticism in center field. Advertisement "I think it added some more months,' Lemon's wife, Gigi, told the Detroit Free Press of the anniversary celebration. 'He was able to see his teammates. I thought that was so important.' At the time, Gigi wanted Lemon's story to be public so fans would know why he didn't attend the anniversary ceremony, had he not been able to do so. Also, the family wanted to raise awareness about aphasia, the post-stroke condition that left Lemon unable to speak. As the Tigers said in an official statement, Lemon made his biggest impact off the field. His family launched the Chet Lemon Foundation to raise money for stroke and aphasia charities. The foundation also benefits youth sports, a passion for Lemon, who coached youth baseball and Eustis High School to a Florida state championship. Advertisement Lemon died at home in his sleep, according to Gigi. In his 16 MLB seasons, Lemon recorded a career .273 average and .797 OPS, 1,875 hits, 396 doubles, 215 home runs and 884 RBI in 1,988 games.
