Amanda Forrester / news@whmi.com

The roar of the crowd may have faded, but for former Detroit Tigers’ Mickey Stanley, that feeling is never far.

Born in Grand Rapids on July 20, 1942, Stanley grew up listening to the team and idolizing greats like Harvey Kuenn and Al Kaline. He said he didn’t join Little League because he was too far into the country, but he regularly played whatever pick-up games he could find before joining a Legion team and playing in high school. He was recruited by the Tigers his senior year of high school before heading to the minor leagues.

He was called up in 1964 while playing for the Syracuse Chiefs to play centerfield for the Tigers. The call came early in the day to let him know he was expected in his first Major League game that night in Minnesota.

He remained in that position until a week before the 1968 World Series, when he was switched to shortstop and told he would stay there for the championship games. Stanley’s first few games as a shortstop were played after the Tigers had clinched their pennant, meaning not as much was riding on him.

After Stanley’s retirement in 1978, he worked as a real estate developer in the area, working with his son on creating several subdivisions in Howell and Brighton. Most days now are spent woodworking and spending time with family and his dog Gracie.

I recently sat down with Stanley and talked about his career and his life now. To hear from the man himself, click the link below.

(photo credit: Amanda Forrester)