DETROIT — Al Kaline's death hit the baseball world and Tigers fans like an unending series of punches to the gut.
The process of saying goodbye to Mr. Tiger comes with difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Tigers are aware of the challenges, and are planning to celebrate Kaline's life.
"He will be honored the way he should be honored," Al Avila said on Wednesday. "The way a man of his stature in the game and in this city should be."
The Kaline family is planning a private, smaller ceremony. After that, the Tigers will continue to work on a plan to honor No. 6.
Avila had no details to share on what the planning looks like, but said a team of Tigers officials are working on a memorial.
Kaline's death was not COVID-19-related, Avila confirmed. He said Kaline's health had been deteriorating. "It was nothing more than health issues that an 85-year-old has."
