Willie Horton (baseball)

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Willie Horton is one of those rare baseball players who doesn't need a diamond to truly sparkle and shine—he's a star on and off the field. This fitting recognition will continue to inform future generations of his accomplishments." [1]

In 2019, the city of Detroit unveiled "Willie Horton Drive", named in honor of the slugger. It is situated at the intersection of Canfield Street and the John C. Lodge service drive. [16]

Post-playing life

After retiring, Horton coached for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. [17]

Since 2003, Horton has served as a Special Assistant to Tigers President/CEO/General Manager, originally Dave Dombrowski, followed by Al Avila, and currently Scott Harris. Former Tigers teammate Al Kaline also held this position, and the two threw out the first pitch of the 2006 World Series at Comerica Park.

On Opening Day 2013, Horton threw out the first pitch at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Tigers went on to win 8–3 over the New York Yankees.

Horton's autobiography 23: Detroit's Own Willie the Wonder, the Tigers' First Black Great was published in July 2022. [18]

Horton and his wife, Gloria reside in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The couple have seven children and 21 grandchildren. [1]

In September 1968, Horton legally had his name changed from "William Wattison Horton" to simply "Willie Horton", saying that he preferred "Willie" to his more formal, former name. [19]

See also

Notes

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    References

    1. 1 2 3 "Willie Horton (SABR BioProject)". Society for American Baseball Research.
    2. 1 2 3 "Willie Horton Career Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
    3. ↑ "1968 World Series: Detroit Tigers over St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)". Baseball-Reference.com.
    4. ↑ Dow, Bill (June 20, 2020). "The time Detroit Tigers' Willie Horton saved Al Kaline's life after an outfield collision". Detroit Free Press .
    5. ↑ "People in Sports," The New York Times, Wednesday, April 13, 1977. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
    6. ↑ Rogers, Thomas. "Horton's 3 Homers Spark Rangers in a 7–3 Triumph," The New York Times, Monday, May 16, 1977. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
    7. ↑ "A's trade Willie Horton," Wilmington (NC) Morning Star, Wednesday, August 16, 1978. Retrieved October 25, 2020
    8. ↑ José Alfredo Otero (December 29, 2014). "De "El Brujo" Willie Horton a los "Dioses del Béisbol" de "El Almirante" Carlos García" (in Spanish). Los Eternos Rivales. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
    9. ↑ Jesús Enrique Leal (January 27, 2017). "Magallanes y su "brujería" en 1979" (in Spanish). El Sol de Margarita . Retrieved September 30, 2017.
    10. ↑ Alfredo Villasmil F. (October 29, 2012). "Horton tiene su corazón tricolor" (in Spanish). Líder en deportes. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
    11. ↑ "The Texas Rangers Thursday completed an 11-player trade with...," United Press International (UPI), Thursday, December 18, 1980. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
    12. ↑ News staff (August 23, 1980). "Major League Flashes". The Sporting News. p. 13. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
    13. ↑ Purdy, Dennis (2005). The Team-By-Team Encyclopedia of Major League Baseball. New York: Workman Publishing Company. p. 420. ISBN   9780761139430.
    14. ↑ "Detroit Tigers: Retired Numbers". MLB.com .
    15. ↑ Jason, Beck (October 17, 2020). "Memories lift spirits of Tigers great Horton". MLB.com .
    16. ↑ Paul, Tony (May 22, 2019). "'This is home': Detroit names city street after Tigers legend Willie Horton". The Detroit News .
    17. ↑ "Ex-Tiger Becomes Yankees' Tranquility Coach". Jet . July 8, 1985. p. 50.
    18. ↑ "Michigan Matters: Tigers legend Willie Horton on career, Motor City & Overcoming COVID". CBS News . August 19, 2022.
    19. ↑ "Horton's Name Gives Him the Willies". Detroit Free Press . Associated Press. September 6, 1968.

    Further reading

    Willie Horton
    Willie Horton 2010.jpeg
    Horton in his Detroit Tigers uniform in 2010
    Left fielder / Designated hitter
    Born: (1942-10-18) October 18, 1942 (age 81)
    Arno, Virginia, U.S.
    Batted: Right
    Threw: Right
    MLB debut
    September 10, 1963, for the Detroit Tigers
    Last MLB appearance
    October 5, 1980, for the Seattle Mariners
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