Former Detroit Tiger Chet Lemon, the starting center fielder for 1984 World Series champions, has died. He was 70.
The Tigers announced the news on Thursday.
Lemon joined the Tigers in 1982 and spent the final nine seasons of his 16-year MLB career in Detroit, where he hit .263 over 1,203 games.
His best season with the Tigers came during their title run in 1984, when he posted a .287/.357/.495 slash line with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs in 141 games. He earned an All-Star nod in Detroit that year.
The Tigers’ 1984 title team also featured shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker, outfielder Kirk Gibson and catcher Lance Parrish, among other standout position players. The rotation was led by Jack Morris, Dan Petry and Milt Wilcox, and the closer was Cy Young winner Guillermo Hernandez.
The Detroit Tigers join all of baseball in mourning the passing of Chet Lemon. 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… pic.twitter.com/oXE4Om58RG
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 8, 2025
Lemon made a memorable catch in Game 3 of the World Series when he raced back and turned around to snare Terry Kennedy’s drive a few steps from the warning track in Tiger Stadium’s notoriously deep center field. The Tigers won that game to go up 2-1 in the series and took the next two to capture the championship.
“I always believed my job as a pitcher was made easier when Chet was behind me in center,” Petry said in a statement. “I’ll never forget his laughter and infectious smile. His athleticism on the field always stood out, but he was an even better teammate and friend.”
“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.”
In August 2024, Lemon returned to Comerica Park for the Tigers’ celebration of the 1984 champs. Lemon — whose health problems, including a stroke and global aphasia, had left him unable to walk or talk — made the trip from Florida with his family to attend the event.
“My heart goes out to (Lemon’s wife) Gigi and the family. Chet was a cherished teammate and friend,” 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. Today is a sad day for us. He will be dearly missed.”
Lemon was born in 1955 in Jackson, Miss.
He was selected in the first round of the 1972 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. He was traded to the White Sox in 1975 and played in Chicago for seven seasons.
Lemon came to Detroit after the 1981 season as the Tigers shipped Steve Kemp to the White Sox. Three years later, he made his third and final All-Star team and helped Detroit bring home its first championship since 1968.
For his MLB career, covering 1,988 games, Lemon hit .273 with a .355 on-base percentage. He had 1,875 hits, including 396 doubles, and his career WAR was 55.7.
In retirement, Lemon coached youth and high school and travel baseball in Florida. He also established the Chet Lemon Foundation, which helps athletes earn scholarships and provides support for people affected by strokes and aphasia.
Lemon had battled health issues for the past three decades. He was diagnosed with polycythemia vera — a type of blood cancer that can lead to blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic — and suffered a series of strokes.
“The Detroit Tigers join all of baseball in mourning the passing of Chet Lemon,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
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