Tigers host 14th Negro Leagues Celebration game 7/26/08

07/23/2008 4:39 PM ET
Tigers host 14th Annual Negro Leagues Celebration game Saturday 7/26/08

DETROIT-- The Detroit Tigers will honor Negro Leagues Baseball Saturday when they welcome the Chicago White Sox to Comerica Park. A number of pre-game festivities celebrating Negro Leagues Baseball will take place, including several former Negro Leagues players signing autographs from 5-6 p.m. throughout the Comerica Park concourse. Additionally, former Negro League stars will be honored prior to the game during an on-field ceremony. For the game, the White Sox will wear throw-back uniforms of the Chicago American Giants, while the Tigers will wear throw-back uniforms of the Detroit Stars. The following is a list of players scheduled to participate in the weekend's events:

• Frank Crossan: A pitcher for the Memphis Red Sox and former roommate of 1956 Negro League all-star Charley Pride.

• Joe Douse: A pitcher for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1952 and 1953. While with the Monarchs, he struck out 15 Memphis Red Birds in a single game.

• Melvin "Buck" Duncan: From 1949 to 1956 he pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs and the Detroit Stars. Before his Negro League career, he posted a 19-1 record while pitching for the United States Army baseball team.

• Harold "Bee-Bop" Gordon: A member of the Chicago American Giants from 1950-51, the longest continuous franchise in Negro League history. He also pitched in the 1954 Negro League all-star game as a member of the Detroit Stars.

• Gene Johnson: Played first and third base for the Detroit Stars in 1956-57.

• Marvin Jones: Pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs during the 1954 and 1955 seasons.

• Cecil Kaiser: Played for the Detroit Stars from 1938-1940, the Motor City Giants in 1941, the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1942 and the Homestead Gray's from 1945-1947.

• Alton King: Came to Detroit in 1942 and played with the Motor City Giants from 1942-1945 as their player manager. He also played for the Detroit Wolves from 1946-1949.

• James "Bullet" Moore: Played for the Detroit Stars, Motor City Giants and the Detroit Brown Bombers.

• Ron "Schoolboy" Teasley: A Detroit native, he played for the Detroit Cubs, Toledo Cubs, Toledo Crawfords, Toledo Rays, Detroit Wolves and New York Cubans from 1939 to 1948. He is a member of Wayne State University's Hall of Fame, and has worked for 20 years as an educator and baseball coach at Northwestern High School in Detroit.

07/23/2008 11:22 AM ET
Tigers host 6th annual Negro Leagues Weekend Celebration
Central Division showdown at Comerica Park

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers open a three-game homestand on Friday, July 25 when the Chicago White Sox visit Comerica Park. The three-game series against the White Sox will be the Tigers 6th annual Negro Leagues Weekend Celebration.

Game times against the White Sox are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26. The homestand concludes Sunday, July 26 with a 1:05 p.m. start.

Negro Leagues weekend is sponsored by Comerica Bank and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the following is the event line-up:

Friday, July 25
5:00 p.m.-End of 2nd inning: 50/50 Raffle to benefit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (CHWMAAH) and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. The CHWMAAH will be featured at Gate A on the concourse to give fans the opportunity to learn about the museum and its membership drive.

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Tigers' legend and 1968 World Series Champion Willie Horton will be signing copies of his book, "The People's Champion" at Gate A.

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Detroit Stars Singing Competition. The Detroit Tigers, in partnership with WADL TV and Radio One will present the Second Annual Detroit Stars Singing competition, hosted by Tune Up of 105.9 KISS FM (WDMK). The top ten contestants will perform in the Brushfire Grill. The contestants will be judged by an appointed committee:

• Brandon T. Jackson from the upcoming movie Tropic Thunder, the hit movie Roll Bounce, and MTV's Wild n Out with Nick Cannon.

• Michael Winans, Jr., Grammy Award nominee, producer, and President of Baby Mike Publishing Company.

• Joyce Stearnes, classical singer and the daughter of Negro Leagues player Norman "Turkey" Stearnes.

6:40 p.m.: On-Field Ceremony: "The past, the present and the future". In the inaugural year of the Play Baseball Detroit program, the Detroit Tigers are celebrating the ongoing contributions of African Americans to the game of baseball. The ceremony will include a "Passing of the Bat" ceremony featuring former Negro Leagues player Cecil Kaiser, Willie Horton, Gary Sheffield, Marcus Thames, Curtis Granderson and D.J. Henderson, a graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School and former Play Baseball Detroit clinic participant, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, making him the first Detroit Public School League baseball player to be drafted in nearly 20 years.

6:57 p.m.: National Anthem will be performed by 72-year-old trumpet Jazz soloist and Detroit native Marcus Belgrave.

6:59 p.m.: Ceremonial First Pitches thrown by D.J. Henderson and Brandon T. Jackson.

Additional In-Park: Negro Leagues merchandise by Tony Dees Negro Leagues Apparel and Hall of Fame Sportswear will be sold in three locations throughout the evening on the concourse behind section 112, by the Montcalm Ramp at section 121 and at the Brushfire Grill behind section 133.

Tigers.com African American Heritage Page: The Detroit Tigers launched a new African American Heritage page providing a historical review of the African American legends of the Detroit Tigers and their contributions to the franchise. For more information, visit www.tigers.com/aaheritage .

Saturday, July 26:
5:00-6:00 p.m.: Autograph Session: Negro Leagues players will hold an autograph session throughout the concourse. Participating players include: Frank Crossan, Mel Duncan, Joe Douse, Herald Gordon, Gene Johnson, Marvin Jones, Cecil Kaiser, Alton King, Jim Moore and Ron Teasley.

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Tigers' legend and 1968 World Series Champion Willie Horton will be signing copies of his book, "The People's Champion" at Gate A.

6:30 p.m.: Comerica Bank's Charitable Foundation will present a $10,000 check to Tania McGhee, Executive Director of the Sphinx Organization. The Sphinx Organization increases the participation of Blacks and Latinos in music schools, as professional musicians and as classical music audiences. The organization also administers youth development initiatives in underserved communities through music education.

Prior to the 14th annual Negro Leagues game, the Detroit Tigers will honor former Negro Leagues players during an on-field, pre-game ceremony hosted by John Mason.

6:57 p.m.: National Anthem will be performed by Melissa White, a violin soloist from the Sphinx Organization.

6:59 p.m.: Ceremonial First Pitch thrown by a former Negro Leagues player and Kala Gibson, Senior Vice President of Comerica Bank.

Please Note: For the game, the White Sox will be wearing throw-back uniforms of the Chicago American Giants, while the Tigers will be wearing throw-back uniforms of the Detroit Stars.

Post Game: The two finalists from the Detroit Stars Singing Competition will perform following the game prior to the fireworks. The contestants will be judged by the applause of the game day audience. The winner receives a $1,000 prize and an opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a future Tigers game. Suga Rae of HOT 102.7 FM (WHTD) will host the competition.

Additional In-Park: Negro Leagues merchandise by Tony Dees Negro Leagues Apparel and Hall of Fame Sportswear will be sold in three locations throughout the evening on the concourse behind section 112, by the Montcalm Ramp at section 121 and at the Brushfire Grill behind section 133.

Tigers' outfielders Curtis Granderson and Marcus Thames, designated hitter Gary Sheffield and pitcher Dontrelle Willis each purchased tickets for baseball teams in underserved communities, allowing these teams to attend the evening's game.

Tigers' infielder Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis have made significant financial contributions to the Detroit Tigers Foundation to support the Play Baseball Detroit program in order to make baseball affordable and accessible to inner-city kids.

PROMOTIONS AND COMMUNITY CORNER

Thursday, July 24: Detroit Tigers pitcher Fernando Rodney will make an appearance at Meijer located on 16300 Fort St. in Southgate from 6-7 p.m. Rodney will sign autographs as part of the promotion.

Friday, July 25: In partnership with the Detroit Tigers Foundation and Starbucks, Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez and PAWS will act as celebrity baristas, serving drinks to Starbucks customers in order to raise money for the Detroit Tigers Foundation. The 3rd annual Celebrity Barista Day takes place inside Starbucks from noon-1 p.m. and is located on 6558 Telegraph Rd. in Bloomfield Hills.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation has partnered with local charities to hold a 50/50 raffle at every Friday night home game this season. Friday's partner charity will be the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Tickets will be sold throughout the 100 level concourse and at the 50/50 raffle table behind section 119 from the time gates open to the last out of the second inning. All tickets are three-for-$5 and the winning raffle ticket will be announced after the sixth inning. A raffle hotline (313-471-2050) has also been established for fans to access the winning information at any time.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation's grab bag sale program sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company and Potbelly Sandwich Works is also offered at every Friday night Tigers home game. Every $30 grab bag features an autographed baseball from a current or former Tiger as well as the chance to win great gifts from Starbucks and Potbelly. The grab bag table is located on the main concourse behind the wheelchair ramp at section 119.

Weather permitting, the Chicago series features Friday Fireworks, sponsored by Pepsi.

Saturday, July 26: In partnership with Verizon Wireless, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga will make an appearance at the Verizon Wireless store from 10-11:00 a.m. located on 17370 Hall Rd in Clinton Township. Armando will sign autographs as part of the in-store promotion.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya and bullpen catcher Scott Pickens will make an appearance at the Meijer store from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. located on 3565 Fairlane Dr. in Allen Park to host a baseball skills clinic. The first half of the clinic will be dedicated to skill instructions on the subject, and the second half dedicated to Q & A from the participants.

Detroit Tigers infielder Ramon Santiago will appear at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn from 11:30-12:30 p.m. to celebrate its Historic Baseball Program. In honor of vintage baseball played in Detroit dating back to 1867, the Lah-De-Dahs and the Nationals of Greenfield Village will play vintage clubs from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Additionally, Ramon will meet and greet with players as well as sign autographs for fans who attend the game.

To support the Tigers' "Gloves for Kids" program, pitcher Fernando Rodney will sign autographs at ABC Warehouse in Livonia from 12:30-1:30 p.m. In exchange for an autograph, fans are encouraged to donate new or gently used baseball and softball equipment or a minimum of $20 to help support the Eagle Sports Club of Detroit.

Detroit Tigers third basemanCarlos Guillen will make an appearance at Renewal by Anderson window replacement from 1-2 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of their new store located on 30750 W. Eight Mile Rd. in Farmington Hills. Carlos will sign autographs as part of the promotion.

Weather permitting, Saturday Fireworks will be sponsored by Verizon Wireless and The Oakland Press.

Sunday, July 27: Sunday afternoon's contest marks the ninth weekend of Kids Day at Comerica Park. Kids Day, sponsored by Red Robin, features free rides on the carousel or Ferris Wheel for kids age 14-and-under, face painters stationed near Gates A and B and Kids Run the Bases following the game (weather permitting), courtesy of Pepsi. Big Boy will sponsor Kids Take the Field pre-game, where children will take the field prior to the Tigers before the start of the game. Additionally, kids will also have the chance to win one of four Little Tikes Mini-Hummers, which will be given away on the field during in-game breaks on Sunday. Registration will take place at Section 119 for an opportunity to be part of the giveaway.

Gonna be an awesome weekend