Former Tigers player and broadcaster Kell cited in hit-and-run

2/19/2007

JONESBORO, Ark. Baseball Hall of Famer George Kell was cited over the weekend for hit-and-run after a three-car accident in Jonesboro. No one was hurt.

Kell, 84, of Swifton was driving a 2002 Cadillac Seville and reportedly rear-ended another car at a traffic light Saturday, police said. That car struck a third car, pushing it into the intersection, police said.

Kell was cited for leaving the scene of an accident without injury and following too closely, police said.

In 2004, Kell was badly injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer at Newport and needed months to recover from broken bones.

Stacey L. Harvey, 35, of Jonesboro, driver of the car Kell allegedly bumped, said Kell pulled his vehicle beside hers and she told him she was OK. She said Kell then drove away.

Police found Kell and pulled him over.

Kell told police he did not know a third vehicle was involved and said he checked on Harvey s condition.

He advised that he thought that when Harvey said she was OK, that he could leave, the police report noted.

Kell played from 1943-1957 with five American League teams the Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

He was a 10-time All-Star and hit better than .300 eight straight years from 1946-53.

In 1949, Kell beat out Ted Williams in one of the closest batting races ever, hitting .34291 to Williams .34276.

He was a broadcast announcer for the Detroit Tigers from 1959 to 1996.

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