Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers icon Bill Freehan, an 11-time All-Star selection who played catcher on the 1968 World Series championship team, died Thursday at age 79.
The organization honored Freehan with a moment of silence before an afternoon game against the Los Angeles Angels. The Tigers also displayed photos and a tribute video on the Comerica Park scoreboard.
"It's with a heavy heart that all of us with the Detroit Tigers extend our condolences to the friends and family of Bill Freehan," the club said in a news release. "An all-time great Tiger, the Olde English 'D' was the only logo he wore over his 15-year Major League career, during which he was named to 11 All-Star teams, won five straight Gold Glove Awards and played a key role on the 1968 World Series championship team.
"Off the diamond, Freehan made a positive impact in the southeast Michigan community, including as a player and then coach at the University of Michigan, where he changed the lives of many for the better. Our thoughts are with Bill's wife, Pat, and the entire Freehan family."
Freehan had suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years, spending the past few years in hospice care at his home in northern Michigan.
He played his entire MLB career with the Tigers, from 1961-76. Along with his 11 All-Star appearances, Freehan was awarded five Gold Gloves.
Freehan had a .262 batting average with 200 home runs, 758 RBIs and 1,591 hits over 1,774 career games in Detroit. His career totals of 200 homers and 2,502 total bases put him behind only Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey among American League catchers when he retired.
Freehan later coached baseball at the University of Michigan and in the Tigers' Minor League system.
