By Steve Neavling
Motor City Muckraker
The historic ballpark at the former Tiger Stadium site is being renamed “Willie Horton Field.”
The Police Athletic League (PAL), which will host youth sports at the field in Corktown next year, coined the new name to honor Tigers icon and hometown hero, Willie Horton.
The announcement comes before Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for PAL’s new headquarters at the field, which will retain its original dimensions at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, said PAL CEO Tim Richey.
Horton and his family moved to Detroit when he was 5. Two years after winning a city baseball championship for Northwestern High School in 1959, Horton signed with the Tigers.
Horton returned to the field in May 2015 to re-create his historic defensive play during Game 5 of the 1968 World Series.
Despite strong opposition, PAL plans to cover the field with artificial turf. PAL’s lobbyist suggested police would padlock the gates at the groundbreaking if pro-grass protesters showed up. Detroit Police Chief James Craig disputed that.
Ballpark at Tiger Stadium site to be named after hometown hero Willie Horton added by Steve Neavling on
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Steve Neavling
Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.
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