For nine seasons, Chet Lemon patrolled the cavernous center field at Tiger Stadium like none other and supplied timely hits and power to Detroit’s pennant contenders in the 1990s.
“He played as good a center field as anybody I’ve ever seen in Detroit,” Al Kaline, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, famously said.
Lemon passed away May 8 at age 70 after years of declining health. To honor the long career in the Motor City of this popular Tigers center fielder, the Detroit Free Press has crafted a commemorative page print.
Who can forget Lemon’s contributions in the 1980s, especially during the Roar of ’84, the Tigers’ wire-to-wire championship season. Lemon was an all-star that season, hitting .287 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs in 141 games. He compiled a .852 OPS.
Trivia time: Betcha can’t name the five Tigers with the highest WAR in 1984. Hint: Lemon is higher than you would think. (Answer below.)
The Chet Lemon page print is produced on high-quality, acid-free art paper and starts at $15.25, plus shipping. Upgrade options include framed copies and background choices of canvas, acrylic, metal or wood through the USA TODAY Store.
Own a piece Tigers history today!
In 1984, the top Tigers in WAR (wins above replacement) were shortstop Alan Trammell (6.8), Lemon (6.2), right fielder Kirk Gibson (5.1), closer Guillermo (Willie) Hernandez (4.8) and second baseman Lou Whitaker (4.4). Time to stump your friends!
Celebrate the Tigers’ 125 seasons with our book
Contact Gene Myers at gmyers@gannett.com. Follow him on X @GeneMyers. After nearly a quarter-century as sports editor at the Detroit Free Press, Myers unretired to coordinate book and poster projects across the USA TODAY Network. His reading recommendation for this month: “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover book on the Florida Gators’ latest NCAA men’s basketball championship from The Gainesville Sun and USA TODAY. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com. Check out more books and page prints from the USA TODAY Network.