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The Detroit Tigers hosted the franchise's eighth annual Negro Leagues Weekend sponsored by Comerica Bank, Radio One and WWJ Newsradio 950 June 11-13, when the Tigers faced the Pittsburgh Pirates. The eighth annual Negro Leagues Weekend marks the first - and longest running - three-day celebration of its kind in Major League Baseball.
The Stars Come Out...
The weekend kicked off with the semi-finals of the 4th Annual Detroit Stars Singing Competition on June 11. The top ten contestants displayed their talents. Celebrity judges included Ndamukong Suh, the Detroit Lions No.1 Draft Pick, Angela Barrow-Dunlap, national playwright and producer, Anqunette Jamison FOX 2 morning news anchor and LaRonn Harris of Atlantic Records. Two contestants were selected that evening to compete in the finals which added more "stars" to Comerica Park that night.
The Stars Continue To Come Out...
The Detroit Tigers continued celebrating the legacy of African Americans in the game of baseball during the "Passing of the Bat" ceremony, which included representatives from past, present and future generations of African American baseball players.
The ceremony featured former Negro Leagues player Cecil Kaiser, former Tigers players Jake Wood, Gates Brown, Willie Horton, Fox Sports Broadcaster Rod Allen, current Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson and 2009 Michigan Chronicle High School Player of the Year and 2010 Cleveland Indians 19th round draft selection Mark Brown, and 15 members of the Padres Baseball Organization from Team Tigers.
And The Winner Is...
On Saturday, June 12 the Tigers represented the Detroit Stars while the Pirates represented the Pittsburgh Crawfords during the 16th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game wearing replica jerseys of the organizations' respective Negro Leagues teams. After the tribute game, the Detroit Star Singing Competition finals continued with host Tune Up of Radio One. As each finalist sang in front of a packed ballpark, the audience selected the winner based upon applause. Ms. Emeline King of Detroit was crowned the winner of the 4th Annual Detroit Stars Singing Competition and won $1,000 and the opportunity to sing the national anthem prior to a 2010 Tigers game.
The Legacy continues...
On Sunday, June 13 Tigers player Willie Horton, and Jake Wood participated in a pregame "Q&A" session on the Comerica Park concourse. The session focused on the history of African Americans in Tigers baseball and was hosted by Terry Foster, Detroit News columnist and WXYT personality. Later, the Detroit Tigers honored Jake Wood with the Detroit Tigers African American Legacy Award. The award is presented annually to a current or former African American Tigers player who has made a profound impact on or off the field as a trailblazer, leader, mentor or role model to other African American players. The award was designed to celebrate the rich legacy of African American Detroit Tigers ballplayers.
Curtis Granderson Nominated for 2009 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy
During Hispanic Heritage month, Major League Baseball annually pays tribute to the baseball legend, Roberto Clemente. To preserve his memory and encourage his dedication to community efforts, The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who best combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. This respected award recognizes those players who best exemplify the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams.
This season, centerfielder Curtis Granderson was chosen as the Detroit Tigers nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award. Granderson is heavily involved with many charitable organizations throughout Detroit.
The creation of the Grand Kids Foundation, which has raised approximately $145,000 since its inception in 2008, allows Granderson to work with kids and education, his greatest passions off the field. He is also very involved with the Detroit Tigers Foundation and since the beginning of "Play Baseball Detroit" in 2008, Granderson has visited more than 1,400 youth in the city of Detroit encouraging all to get involved or stay involved with organized youth baseball.
This is the second time Granderson has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy since 2007. Teammate Magglio Ordoñez, was the Detroit Tigers nomination in 2008.
Twenty-five students from Lawrence Technological University had the opportunity to watch the Detroit Tigers batting practice and meet fellow Taiwanese bullpen pitcher, Fu-Te Ni. The 25 students were mainly comprised of Taiwanese teachers who were receiving instruction at Lawrence Tech this summer.
For the second consecutive year, the Detroit Tigers welcomed nearly 60 individuals to the field at Comerica Park for an unforgettable pre-game ceremony.
The selected individuals were sworn in as American citizens by taking the oath administered by Judge Nancy Edmunds through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for the United States Department of Justice.
The new citizens and their family members received complimentary tickets courtesy of the Detroit Tigers to enjoy America's Favorite Pastime after officially becoming a citizen of the United States.
