http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5764168

The baseball world, and the world in general, lost a great one.

I had the great fortune of meeting him on more than one occasion. I lived and went to college in Ventura County north of Los Angeles and was working my way through school in a restaurant in his current town of residence when he was still managing the Tigers. He used to come in for dinner during the off season and on occasion when the Tigers were in town to play the Angels. He would always spend some time talking with the few fans in the restaurant that knew who he was, but when I was his server, he would always talk and share some stories with me.

I remember one time he came in when the Tigers were not playing too well. They were having a horrible season and a horrible road trip. This was towards the end of the season and the one glimmer on the team was Cecil Fielder. I made a comment about how challenging the season and the road trip was for him trying to be somewhat politically correct. He just looked at me with a smile and replied "Boy, we sure are terrible aren't we?" No sugar coating it. he knew it and he spoke it.

I moved away but still have in-laws in town and three years ago I took the care to a local oil change shop and pulled in right next to him. he was older but still just as friendly. he didn't remember me specifically, but we spent a good 15 minutes just talking about NCAA football.

A great man indeed.