Detroit Tigers: The greatest African-Americans in team history

Willie Horton

Willie Horton is without a doubt one of the most iconic players in Tigers history. His number 23 is retired by the Tigers, and a big statue of Horton resides outside Comerica Park.

Horton made his debut with the Tigers in 1963, just two years removed from his days at local Northwestern High School in Detroit. He played sparingly in 1963 and 1964 before bursting onto the scene in 1965.

Horton blasted 29 home runs and drove in 104. He was an All-Star and even finished eighth in MVP voting. He followed that up with a second straight 100 RBI season in 1966, posting a 125 OPS+.

1967 may not have been Horton’s best year (19 home runs) but it is the year that cemented him in Detroit’s history. 1967 was the year of the infamous 12th street riot, where riots between African-Americans and Detroit police escalated. It resulted in 43 dead and nearly 1,200 injured. Horton famously drove to the site of the riots directly after a ball game. Still in his uniform, he stood on top of a car in the middle of 12th street and begged the crowd to calm down. While his efforts were ultimately futile, it helped cement Horton as more than just a baseball player in Detroit.

1968 was Horton’s best year yet. The slugger blasted 36 home runs and a 165 OPS+, both career highs. He was an All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting. His 5.4 bWAR was the highest mark of his career.

Horton was even more of a monster in the World Series, hitting .304 with a .448 OBP. He had a double a triple and a home run along with three RBI in the Tigers seven game victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Horton continued to rake throughout the 1970’s. He was an All-Star again in 1970 and 1973, and hit 149 more home runs in a Tigers uniform.

He was ultimately traded at the start of the 1977 season to the Rangers in exchange for right-hander Steve Foucault. Foucault only made 68 appearances with the Tigers before his career ended at age 28.

Horton played four more seasons with six different teams. He finished 24th in MVP voting in 1977 with the Seattle Mariners, hitting 29 home runs and driving in 106.

Horton is a local kid who became an icon in the city of Detroit, and who is immortalized outside of Comerica Park.

Next up is an honorable mention. He is a very famous figure in Detroit baseball history, although he never actually played for the Tigers: