Chet Lemon, a beloved member of the 1984 World Series champion Tigers and a three-time All-Star during his 16-year Major League career, passed away on Thursday at age 70.
Lemon, who battled issues from blood clots for several years, had been in declining health. He made it back to Comerica Park last August for the 40th anniversary of the Tigers' championship team, taking in the festivities from a wheelchair just outside Detroit's dugout.
“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.”
Born Feb. 12, 1955, in Jackson, Miss., Lemon became a first-round Draft pick out of Fremont High School in Los Angeles in 1972. The Athletics traded him to the White Sox in 1975 in a four-player deal for veteran pitcher Stan Bahnsen, and he debuted that Sept. 9 in Chicago. With a combination of power, speed and standout defense, he became an All-Star at age 23 in 1978, then led the American League with 44 doubles in 1979 while returning to the Midsummer Classic. His 509 putouts in center field in 1977 set a Major League record.
Lemon played six-plus seasons with the White Sox before going to Detroit in a trade for fellow All-Star outfielder Steve Kemp after the 1981 season. Still just 27, he slid into a Tigers outfield that had Kirk Gibson, Larry Herndon and Glenn Wilson, and he provided a steadying presence, eventually taking over in center while adding depth to the batting order.
“Chet was the kindest of men and always had that great smile on his face,” former teammate and Tigers great Lance 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.”
Lemon robbed a home run from Rod Carew to seal a win over the Angels in 1983, and was voted to start in center field in the All-Star Game in 1984. His acrobatic catch in deep center in Game 3 of the World Series helped the Tigers on their way to their first title since 1968. Manager Sparky Anderson called Lemon the best center fielder he had seen in his decades in the game.
“I always believed my job as a pitcher was made easier when Chet was behind me in center,” former Tigers pitcher and current broadcaster Dan Petry said. “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.”
Lemon remained a Tiger until his retirement in Spring Training of 1991. Still just 36, he was diagnosed with a blood disorder called polycythemia vera and was hospitalized for several months. He devoted his post-playing career to coaching youth baseball, establishing the Chet Lemon School of Baseball in 1993 and becoming a high-school and travel-ball coach in the Orlando area.
“While he was proud of his career, he took great pride in his life after baseball,” the Chet Lemon Foundation posted on Instagram. “There, he had an opportunity to train and develop multiple young men, many of whom went on to become professional baseball players themselves, with successful careers not only in baseball but in other professions.”
Among the kids he coached was a teenaged Kerry Carpenter, who talked with him at the reunion ceremony last summer. Though Lemon had dealt with a series of strokes that left him unable to speak, they reconnected like old times.
“I hadn’t seen him in years,” Carpenter said at the time. “It was cool for him to be honored with his team. I remember him telling stories about this team, so that was pretty special to see him and see the crowd honor him.”
Lemon and his family established a foundation to help empower the next generation of athletes through scholarship opportunity while also providing resources and support to those affected by stroke and aphasia. For more information, visit chetlemonfoundation.org.