league debut on September 13, playing in left field in place of Gates Brown. At the time, Al Kaline called Stanley "the best young outfielder we have had in the minors since I started here." Stanley appeared in four major league games in 1964, compiling a .273 batting average in 11 at bats. Stanley returned to the minors in 1965. He appeared in 144 games at Syracuse and compiled .281 batting average with 10 home runs and 73 RBIs. He was also named to the International League all-star team and led the league's outfielders with a .992 fielding percentage. 1965–1967 In late August 1965, Stanley returned to Tigers—this time to stay. He appeared in 30 games, 29 of them in center field, with a .239 batting average and hit his first major league home run on September 3, 1964. In 1966, Stanley made the big league roster and began the season as the team's starting center fielder. In mid-May, he broke a bone in his left little finger when he fell at his home after washing his car. He returned to the lineup in mid-June and appeared in a total of 92 games, 82 in center field. He ended up leading the team with a .289 batting average and finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 174 chances in center field. Stanley credited his improved batting in 1966 to acting manager Frank Skaff giving him more playing time in the second half of the season and boosting his confidence. In 1967, the Tigers were in the running for the American League pennant, ultimately finishing one game behind the Boston Red Sox. Stanley appeared in 145 games, 129 in center field. However, his batting average plummeted by 79 points to .210, just three points higher than shortstop Ray Oyler. 1968 season During the Tigers' 1968 season, Stanley helped the team win the American League pennant with a 103-59 record. He appeared in 153 games, including 131 in center field, 15 at first base, nine at shortstop, and one inning at second base. He compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center field and won his first American League Glove Award. At the plate, he compiled a .259 batting average with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs. Late in the 1968 season, manager Mayo Smith moved Stanley to shortstop, a position Stanley had never played professionally, not even in