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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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