The Detroit Tigers have a long history of achievement by African-American players. Systematically barred from the game even in the immediate years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, the Tigers became a true reflection of the City of Detroit when Larry Doby put on the Old English D for the first time. (Dominican Ozzie Virgil became the Tigers first player of color and first player from a Spanish-speaking country a few years earlier.)
The achievements of African-American stars like Willie Horton, Gates Brown, Lou Whitaker, Cecil Fielder, Gary Sheffield & Curtis Granderson have thrilled and inspired generations of Tigers fans.
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Tigers sign Torii Hunter
Free-agent outfielder signs 2-year deal. More »
Prince, Tigers reach nine-year deal
Powerful free-agent first baseman agrees to $214 million contract. More »
Former Negro Leaguers star Kaiser dies at 94
Former Negro Leagues star Cecil Kaiser, who became known to many Tigers fans over the years as part of their Negro Leagues tributes, passed away Monday at the age of 94. More »
Tigers legend Horton grateful for good influences
Willie Horton had as much physical strength as anybody in baseball in his time, yet without the help of Junior Strong, who knows how long it would've taken him to get involved in organized baseball? More »
Wood's path to bigs a first for Tigers
Jake Wood wasn't the first African-American to play with the Tigers, but he was the first to work his way through the club's farm system, breaking into the Majors in 1961. More »
Tigers pay tribute to Stearnes
The closest Norman "Turkey" Stearnes ever came to playing inside Tiger Stadium came just a month before his death in 1979. But now Stearnes, or at least his likeness, will never leave the Tigers' new home at Comerica Park. More »
Tigers to tab Negro Leaguer Kaiser
The Tigers will take part in Major League Baseball's ceremonial Negro Leagues Player Draft next week by selecting former Detroit Stars pitcher Cecil Kaiser. More »
Horton blessed by influences in his life
Willie Horton had as much physical strength as anybody in baseball in his time, yet without the help of Junior Strong, who knows how long it would've taken him to get involved in organized baseball? More »
Honoring the breaking of color barrier
Five people shared stories of Jackie Robinson in a forum at the Henry Ford Museum as part of a tribute honoring the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in the MLB. More »
Talking Turkey
If you think Tony Batista's batting stance is unorthodox in the Major Leagues, you should have seen Norman "Turkey" Stearnes when he stepped into the batter's box in the Negro Leagues. More »
Stars inspired positive change in Detroit
In the early 20th century, black baseball featured one dominant team. But, in 1919, Rube Foster wanted to expand his base and start a league. Detroit was the perfect place. More »
2012: Torii Hunter signs with the Tigers » 2011: Delmon Young blasts two HRs in the ALCS » 2011: Delmon Young sends one deep in the ALDS » 2011: Austin Jackson turns two » 2010: Austin Jackson's amazing catch » 2007: Granderson records 20 HRs, 20 3B, 20 2B, and 20 steals » 2006: Craig Monroe hits a three-run home run » 2006: Curtis Granderson's diving catch » 2005: Dmitri Young hits three Opening Day HRs »
The Tigers' first African-American player, Larry Doby made his debut at Briggs Stadium in 1959. Before joining the Tigers, Doby became the first African-American player in the American League in 1947. A power-hitting center fielder and a key member of Cleveland's pennant winners in 1948 and '54, before joining the Indians, he starred with the Negro National League's Newark Eagles for four seasons, leading them to a championship in 1946. A nine-time all-star (seven times with the Indians and twice with the Eagles), Doby led the American League twice in homers. Larry Doby was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
One the games greatest clutch hitters, William James "Gates" Brown played 13 years for the Detroit Tigers. On June 19, 1963, Brown hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat. During his career, Brown became one of the American League's best pinch-hitters. In the Tigers World Series championship year of 1968, Brown hit .370 while collecting 18 pinch hits. After retiring as a player, he returned to the Tigers as a coach in 1978. During his tenure, he served as batting coach during the 1984 World Series championship year.
Detroit's "hometown hero", Willie Horton was one of baseball's premier power hitters. An 18-year veteran of major league baseball as an outfielder and later a designated hitter, he played 14 seasons in Detroit after signing with the team at age 18 in 1961 following an outstanding baseball career at Detroit's Northwestern High School. Horton hit 20-or-more homers in seven of his seasons and remains fourth on the Tigers all-time home run list with 262. Honored by the Tigers by having his jersey number 23 retired and a Comerica Park statue in his likeness unveiled on July 15, 2000, Horton returned to the Tigers as an executive advisor and special assistant to Tigers President David Dombrowski in 2002.
An 11-year veteran of the major leagues, Earl Wilson was the The Detroit Tigers first African-American pitcher to win 20-games. Wilson's best season was 1967 when he went 22-11 with a 3.27 ERA and finished 12th in MVP voting. In the Tigers 1968 World Series Championship season, Wilson won 13 games and finished with a 2.85 ERA. After his retirement in 1970, Wilson remained active in the Detroit community, often making charitable appearances on behalf of the Detroit Tigers until his death in 2005.
"Sweet Lou" Whitaker made his Major League debut on the same day as shortstop Alan Trammell, forming the greatest double-play combination in Tigers history. Whitaker won the American League Rookie-of-the-Year award in 1978. In his 19 seasons with the Tigers, Whitaker was a five-time All-Star, won three Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger awards.
A fan-favorite and three-time All-Star, Chet Lemon came to the Tigers in 1982 in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. In the Tigers World Series year of 1984, Lemon batted .287 with 20 home runs.
One of the greatest power hitters in Tigers history, Cecil Fielder electrified Tiger Stadium with each one of his mammoth blasts. In 1990, his first season with the Tigers, Fielder proceeded to become the first player in 13 years to hit over 50 home runs. He led the American League in home runs in 1990 & 1991. Fielder also led the league in RBI in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1990, Fielder became the first Tigers right-handed hitter to hit a ball over the leftfield roof at Tiger Stadium.
Gates Brown
Bruce Fields
Larry Herndon
Bill Madlock
Lloyd McClendon
Vada Pinson
Jerry White
