Tigers Celebrate 22nd Annual Negro Leagues Weekend, Presented by Comerica Bank, July 12-14

The Detroit Tigers are proud to host the 22nd annual Negro Leagues Weekend, presented by Comerica Bank, from July 12-14, when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit Comerica Park. This annual tradition marks the longest-running weekend celebration of its kind in Major League Baseball. Tickets for all three games during Negro Leagues Weekend are currently available at Tigers.com/Tickets.  

Negro Leagues Weekend will be highlighted by the 28th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game on Saturday, July 13. Prior to the game, the Tigers will recognize former Negro Leagues players on the field with a special ceremony.

Former Tigers outfielder and member of the 2012 American League Championship team, Austin Jackson, will return to Detroit for Negro Leagues Weekend, and will interact with Tigers fans on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14, when he will also receive the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award. Jackson made his MLB debut for the Tigers in April 2010 and played for Detroit from 2010-14, appearing in 670 games and batting .277/.342/.412 with 140 doubles, 43 triples, 46 home runs and 234 RBI. He was a member of the Tigers’ postseason teams in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and led the American League in triples in 2010 and 2011. Jackson won the Fielding Bible Award as the league’s best centerfielder in 2011.

The Tigers will distribute complimentary game tickets to local organizations as part of the Negro Leagues Weekend celebration. A portion of the 50/50 Raffle proceeds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will benefit The Black Sports Business Academy, and Comerica Bank will match those proceeds.

“As a proud Detroiter, member of the Divine 9 and member of the Tigers family, I am deeply honored to celebrate the rich history and lasting legacy of the Negro Leagues,” said Asia Gholston, Vice President of Marketing for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “This weekend is about more than just baseball; it’s about acknowledging the trailblazing athletes who paved the way and bringing together fans of all backgrounds to celebrate our shared history. We invite everyone to Comerica Park to join us in honoring these incredible players and to experience the vibrant community spirit that makes Detroit so special. We are thankful to Comerica Bank for their unwavering support in making this important event a reality.”

“Each year, Negro Leagues Weekend delivers special moments to reflect on the impact and legacy paved by our beloved African American baseball trailblazers and pioneers,” said Kevin Watkins, Comerica Bank Vice President-External Affairs Market Manager and National African American Business Development Manager. “As we partner with the Detroit Tigers on a weekend-long celebration that spans more than two decades, we do so with honor and excitement to pay homage to the legends of the past and celebrate the greats of today and future generations creating new legacies that inspire the game and their communities.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive at Comerica Park early to enjoy many activities planned throughout Negro Leagues Weekend. DJ Mo Beatz – Big Sean’s official DJ – will spin on the Comerica Landing all weekend long. The “Walk of Stars,” similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will highlight the historic achievements of former Detroit Stars players. There will be a True Black History Museum exhibit highlighting the history of the Negro Leagues and the Detroit Stars and PLC Detroit will have a live artist painting on the Comerica landing. Several Negro Leagues and Detroit Stars-themed photo opportunities will be available throughout the concourse.

Negro Leagues Weekend festivities will include:

Friday, July 12 (6:40 p.m. first pitch)

• The seventh annual Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon, presented by Comerica Bank, will be hosted at Comerica Park on Friday morning, a private event to welcome former Negro Leagues players back to Detroit and to honor Austin Jackson.
• Prior to Friday’s series opener, the annual “Passing of the Bat” ceremony will be held on the field, celebrating African American baseball players and their contributions to baseball. The ceremony features a symbolic “torch passing” from a former Negro Leagues player to several generations of former and current African American Tigers players. The bat is then presented to a local youth player, with U of D Jesuit 2024 graduate Dylan Larkins and Edison 2024 graduate Marwynn Matthews serving as this year’s recipients. Larkins is committed to play college baseball at Georgetown, while Matthews will play at Western Michigan.
• Friday Night’s “Party in the Park” presented by Casamigos will include live music and entertainment and specialty food and beverage items on the Comerica Landing. The night’s specialty drink will be the “Motor City Refresher.”
• Prior to the game, members of various HBCU step teams and drumlines will perform on the concourse.
• A special “African American Heritage” ticket package is available. Fans who purchase this package receive a Tigers African American Heritage hat.
• Tigers fans are encouraged to remain in their seats after the game for the display of Friday Night Fireworks.
• The Tigers will wear their new City Connect jerseys for the first game of the series against the Dodgers.

Saturday, July 13 (1:10 p.m. first pitch)

• The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a retro Detroit Stars hat, presented by Comerica Bank. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m.    
• Tigers fans are encouraged to attend a pregame Q&A with former Negro Leagues players and influencers from 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., in the Comerica Big Cat Court. The panel will be moderated by Negro Leagues historian Larry Lester, who will be joined by Johnny Walker, Minnie Forbes, Ron Teasley, Charles Willis, Clinton Forge, Tommy Hayes, Reginald Howard, Bill Hill and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards.
• The pregame on-field ceremony honoring former Negro Leaguers will also include a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown and Joyce Stearnes Thompson, daughters of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes.
• The Tigers ticket sales & service team will host “HBCU & Divine 9 Night,” including a special ticket package with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the United Negro College Fund and the Detroit HBCU network, which includes an exclusive HBCU & Divine 9 Night hat.

Sunday, July 14 (1:40 p.m. first pitch)

• Shortly after gates open at noon, Jackson will participate in a fan Q&A in the Comerica Big Cat Court from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m., hosted by Bally Sports Detroit’s Trevor Thompson. Jackson will then be recognized in a pregame ceremony for earning the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award, created in 2009 to honor African Americans who have strengthened the legacy of baseball and have contributed to the rich history of the Tigers.

Popular Negro Leagues merchandise will be sold on the Comerica Park concourse at Tony Dee’s Negro Leagues Baseball Store.

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