#40 George Kell

Hall of Famer George Kell was a ten-time All-Star who played 15 big league seasons. He played about half his career with the Tigers and the rest with the Phils A's (his first club), the White Sox, Red Sox and, finally, the Orioles in 1956/57. He won the AL batting crown (.343) in 1949 by a whisper over Ted Williams. But his best year came right after that. In 1950 he hit .340, led the league in hits (218) and doubles (56) and drove in 101 runs with only eight dingers.

Kell finished his career with a .306 batting average and was a pretty slick glove guy as well. He led the AL third basemen in fielding on seven occasions and in assists four times. He was the Orioles regular at 3rd before the spot was claimed by Brooks Robinson. In Kell's final season, 1957, he hit .297 in 345 at bats.

After he retired as a player he opened a car dealership (still open in Arkansas) and was a popular broadcaster for the Tigers for 37 seasons. He was elected to the Hall by the Veterans' Committee in 1983.