Al Kimball

Rich BaileyAl Kimball

Class of 1971

Comstock has long been known for its outstanding baseball teams and excellent players.  One of the very best is Al Kimball of the CHS class of 1971.  The Great Ted Williams once stated, “the hardest thing in sports was to hit a round ball with a round stick”. Al made this statement all the more reality for the Colts opposition as they were greatly overmatched at the plate. Al played a major role as one of the hardest throwing left hand pitchers in southwest Michigan.  His excellence was displayed as a Senior as he won 11 games and set the MHSAA State record at that time with 172 strikeouts in a season. He was a unanimous All-City, All-League, All-Area, All-State pick and the unanimous MVP Captain of the Greater Kalamazoo Team.  Al also was a powerful, dynamic running back for the Colts and with teammate Marty Johnson, provided a devastating inside, outside running attack.  This earned Al a scholarship to play football for WMU and  he responded by being the leading rusher on the freshman team. I am honored to be able to recognize one of Comstock’s finest, whose athletic history shall be showcased proudly as a member of the 2023 Comstock Athletic Hall of Fame.  Congratulations.
- Bernie Vallier

Comstock High School
* Football – 2 Varsity Letters
- 1971 Team Captain
* Basketball – 2 Varsity Letters
- 1970 KVA Conference Champion
* Baseball – 3 Varsity Letters
- 1969 & 70 KVA Conference Champion
- 1970 – Part of Rare DH No Hit Games vs Three Rivers
- 1971 – Struck Out 172 Batters – State Record at the Time
- 1971 – CHS Record 11 Wins in a Season
- 1969 & 70 Combined – 18-6 Record, 263 Strikeouts, 0.94 ERA
- 1970 & 71 Wolverine Conference All Star Team
- 1971 Greater Kalamazoo Tournament Champion
- 1971 Greater Kalamazoo All Star Team & Honorary Team Captain
- 1971 CHS Team Captain & MVP
* Track & Field – 1 Varsity Letter

Western Michigan University
* Football – 1971

Community Recognition
* 1971 Optimist Club Award for Contribution to Community & School

Athletic Honors
* 2023 Comstock Athletic Hall of Fame