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07/19/2007 1:58 PM ET
Tigers to honor Norman "Turkey" Stearnes
Permanent plaque to be unveiled on Friday, July 20 at 11 a.m.
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DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers will honor the legacy of Negro Leagues star and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Norman "Turkey" Stearnes on Friday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at Comerica Park with the unveiling of a permanent plaque at the ballpark.
The ceremony, which will take place at Gate C of Comerica Park (corner of Brush & Adams), will include remarks by Tigers President, General Manager & CEO David Dombrowski, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and "Turkey" Stearnes daughter, Mrs. Joyce Stearnes Thompson. "Turkey" Stearnes widow, Mrs. Nettie Stearnes, and daughter, Mrs. Rosilyn Stearnes Brown, will also be in attendance along with many other members of the Stearnes family.
The unveiling of the Stearnes plaque will be the opening event of the fourth annual Negro Leagues Weekend celebration in Detroit. The celebration will include the 13th annual Negro Leagues Tribute game on Saturday, July 21 at 7:05 p.m. For that contest, the Tigers will wear the uniforms of the Detroit Stars, while the Royals will wear the uniforms of the Kansas City Monarchs.
"Future generations of baseball fans will benefit by learning about "Turkey" Stearnes, the Detroit Stars and the significant role the Negro Leagues played in the development of our national pastime," Dombrowski said regarding the plaque dedication.
"Turkey" Stearnes was one of the greatest players in Negro Leagues history. He joined the Detroit Stars in 1923 and played 11 seasons with the team as part of an 18-year playing career. A left-handed hitter, he led the Negro National League in home runs six times and hit 140 roundtrippers in 585 career games. When he retired as a player in 1945, he had a career batting average of .359.
In addition to his offensive prowess, Stearnes was an exceptional outfielder with good speed and range. He also utilized his speed on the bases, leading the league in both triples and stolen bases at least once each during his career, and also earning a reputation for sliding hard into an infielder trying to apply a tag.
Stearnes worked in Detroit's auto plants in the off season to support his family and lived in the city until his death in 1979. In 2000, he was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, becoming the first Detroit Stars player ever to be enshrined.
Regarding Stearnes as a player, Hall of Famer Satchel Paige once said, "Turkey Stearnes was one of the greatest hitters we ever had. He was as good as Josh (Gibson). He was as good as anybody who ever played ball."
Cool Papa Bell once commented, "If they don't put Turkey in the Hall of Fame, they should take me out!"
The dedication ceremony is open to the public.
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