DETROIT- The Detroit Tigers will honor former Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter, with the 2018 Detroit Tigers Willie Horton African American Legacy Award, on June 10 as a part of the club's Negro Leagues Weekend Celebration June 8-10. The Detroit Tigers Willie Horton African American Legacy Award was first presented in 2009, and honors African Americans who have strengthened the legacy of baseball in the African American community and contributed to the rich history of the Detroit Tigers.
"I am proud the organization is honoring Torii with the Willie Horton African American Legacy award. Torii has always acknowledged that he stands on the shoulders of great African American ball players and he is gracefully passing the torch to a younger generation, said Tigers great Willie Horton. Torii is an inspiring role model and great ambassador for the game."
Previous recipients include:
2017 - Gary Sheffield
2016 - Chet Lemon
2015 - Lou Whitaker
2014 - Billy Bruton*
2013 - Larry Herndon
2012 - Earl Wilson *
2010 - Jake Wood
2009 - Gates Brown
*Award presented posthumously
Hunter will be publicly honored on field on Sunday, June 10 in a special pregame celebration, and will also be honored on Friday, June 8 at the annual Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon, sponsored by Comerica Bank. The luncheon is a private event with a guest list that includes members of the Detroit Tigers Front Office, former Negro Leagues players, youth baseball and softball players and select community leaders from the metro Detroit area.
The Tigers will host the franchise's 16th annual Negro Leagues Weekend June 8 - 10 as the Tigers host the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. On Saturday, June 9 the Tigers will don the throwback uniforms of the Detroit Stars and the Cleveland Indians will suit up as the Cleveland Buckeyes, during the 24th Annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, presented by Comerica Bank. The annual Negro Leagues Weekend marks the longest running three-day celebration of its kind in Major League Baseball.
Tickets for all three of the weekend's games are on sale now at tigers.com. The Tigers will offer an exclusive Negro Leagues Weekend special themed ticket package, which includes a game ticket, a Detroit Tigers Fedora and a donation to the Friends of the Historic Hamtramck Stadium - a group dedicated to preserving the field used by Negro Leagues teams, including the Detroit Stars. Ticket packages are available exclusively at tigers.com/negroleagues. For more information on the special ticket package or to purchase tickets for groups of 15 or more information contact Corey Bell at [email protected].
Individual game tickets are available at the Comerica Park Box Office, online at tigers.com and by phone at (866) 66-TIGER (84437). For complete ticket information including season, group and suites visit tigers.com/tickets or call 313-471-BALL (2255).