No sport is immune to heartbreak—and Major League Baseball is no exception. From crushing walk-off losses to career-threatening injuries, the game is filled with its fair share of tough moments. But sometimes, the pain hits deeper—beyond the scorecards and stat sheets. This time, it’s not about a losing streak or a sidelined star. It’s about something far more profound: the loss of a legend.
In a heartbreaking upset, the MLB world has bid adieu to former All-Star and World Series champion Chet Lemon. The 70-year-old breathed his last at his home on Thursday and passed away in sleep, per his wife, Gigi. Tributes have started pouring in from baseball enthusiasts from across the globe. MLB’s official X account also followed suit and bid adieu to the legend in a heartfelt message.
Commenting on the post, one user expressed their grief and wrote, “RIP to a Legend. Prayers to the Lemon family!” For the unversed, Lemon had been suffering from severe health issues that had continuously troubled him over the years.
We are saddened by the passing of former All-Star and World Series champion Chet Lemon.
A first-round pick by the A’s in the 1972 MLB Draft, Lemon made his Major League debut as a 20-year-old with the White Sox in 1975. He went on to play 16 seasons with the White Sox and… pic.twitter.com/h5cUbZAbDB
— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2025
Ever since his retirement in 1990, Lemon has suffered from several blood clots and hundreds of hospital visits. He also suffered at least 13 strokes that left him unable to walk or talk, and left him bedridden for quite some time. However, behind the silence, lies a legendary career that entertained MLB fans across the globe for years and will be cherished forever.
Lemon was a first-round pick by the A’s in the 1972 MLB Draft, and made his Major League debut as a 20-year-old with the White Sox in 1975, and since then, there was no looking back! He went on to play 16 seasons with the White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. A supreme defender, the former player was a 3-time All-Star who set a stunning record for center fielders in 1977 with 509 putouts, a mark which stood for over 30 years. Lemon played his last 9 seasons with the Tigers, helping them to the Postseason twice. Needless to say, he was a key member of the Detroit family who helped them win the 1984 World Series championship as well.
More to follow…
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