Detroit Tigers’ Inaugural Black in Baseball Weekend Takes Negro Leagues Celebration to New Heights

The Detroit Tigers have the longest running Negro Leagues celebration in the MLB and this year, the team made that celebration bigger, better and more inclusive.

Black in Baseball Weekend (June 13-15) was a recognition of the past, present and future; a celebration of the city, the culture and the contributions of Black baseball players on Tigers history and the history of the game of baseball, as a whole.

“Black in Baseball Weekend was a true celebration of culture, history, and community — and Detroit showed up in every way,” said Asia Gholston, Vice President of Brand Marketing at Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Seeing fans connect with the history of the Negro Leagues at the Q&A, cheering during Ludacris’ post‑game concert, and celebrating with our local youth athletes on Sunday was incredibly moving. This weekend reminded us that honoring the past and investing in the future can happen in the same space — and that’s what makes this event so powerful.”

By intertwining baseball, community impact efforts and Detroit’s history, the Tigers hosted over 119,000 fans throughout the ballpark and countless more in the community to celebrate Black excellence in baseball and beyond.

Thursday, June 12

The Tigers’ Black Diamond Dinner brought together former Negro Leagues players, community leaders and Tigers legends to celebrate the History of the Detroit Stars, Detroit Tigers and the game of baseball. The event included recognizing Rajai Davis as the 2025 recipient of the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award.

“With Willie, our connection started the moment I came over to Detroit and met him; he was very supportive of my style of play,” said Rajai Davis at the dinner. “It’s an honor to receive any award, but to be able to receive an award from a man who hit over 300 home runs in the major leagues, it’s not taken lightly. He was really, really good at what he did and to receive that honor, that award, from a guy who had some really great accomplishments on the field, it’s an honor for me.”

Friday, June 13

Friday kicked off the series between the Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds on the diamond, but so much more throughout the ballpark and beyond.

Members of the Tigers organization, Black Sports Professionals and college students mixed and mingled at the Black in Baseball Career Mixer on Friday afternoon in a suite at the ballpark.

“To be here to celebrate Black in Baseball is right on par with what our organization is about, said Jessica Gray, President of Black Sports Professional’s Detroit chapter. “It’s about cultivating communities, celebrating Black and Brown sports professionals and championing us as well. Being able to network with other professionals and help connect and network with college students, it’s so important because you can’t be what you can’t see.”

Phoenix Hollier is a senior at Detroit Mercy, studying business administration and is a member of Alpha Fi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He attended the mixer, participated in the step show and then, enjoyed the game.

“In everybody’s lifetime, there’s some type of experience where you realize it’s so much bigger than yourself,” said Hollier. “Being in this environment and being around so much greatness, I’m kind of in awe.”

Danard Lenoir is the manager of video production for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. While a lot of the behind-the-scenes aspects of Black in Baseball he was involved in, (like helping film and edit conversations with Willie Horton), he still said he was inspired by others at the mixer and attending it was a highlight.

“I think the collective community effort to bring these people together, not just within our organization but to reach out to the community and bring ALL of these people together is extremely impactful, even to an employee within this organization,” said Lenoir. “We’ve been presented with a platform and an opportunity to talk to people that look like us, do what we do on a high level and create new initiatives outside of our day-to-day work.”

Attendees of the mixer then joined the rest of the crowd outside Comerica Park for a block party, which included a Black-owned business market, food trucks, retail popups and a step show from the Wayne State University National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Friday’s pregame ceremony continued the celebrations. Starting with the Passing of the Bat ceremony – an annual tradition during the Tiger’s Negro Leagues celebration – where a bat is passed from former Negro Leagues players, to some of the first Black Tigers players, to current Black players and staff for the Tigers and eventually to the year’s recipient; Kole Waterman was the 2025 honoree.

“I was one of the first baseball players to play on the Hamtramck field when they rebuilt it,” said Waterman. “So having that honor and then coming back to get this award it means a lot to me. I've had four or five my own teammates get this award too. It's kind of cool, following in their footsteps, people I’ve looked up to in the past… like a brotherhood. This honor and this award, it means the world to me.”

The ceremonial first pitch came from the granddaughter of Negro League Hall of Famer, Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, Katera Stearnes. Stearnes daughters, Joyce Stearnes Thompson and Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown then sang the national anthem. Detroit native and multiplatinum rapper, Tee Grizzley, threw out the honorary first pitch and the game was then underway.

Friday’s rain was no deterrent, it seemed, with a ballpark full of orange ponchos and Olde English D hats. That energy from the fans helped the Tigers pull out an 11-5 victory over the Reds before Comerica Park transformed into a concert venue to host three-time Grammy Award winner, Ludacris.

A setlist that included Roll Out, Move, All I Do Is Win, What’s Your Fantasy, Get Back and even Justin Bieber’s Baby had Comerica Park rocking long after the final out of the ballgame.

Saturday, June 14

Saturday morning saw over 130 kids attend a free baseball skills clinic at the Detroit Riverfront for the Tigers’ Play Ball Weekend Clinic. Play Ball Weekend is an annual MLB initiative, helping bring baseball and softball to children throughout the country.

"I had two children in the event today, and they absolutely LOVED it,” said Joe Doute on the Tigers’ Play Ball Clinic. “Thanks to the whole Tigers team for everything!”

Back at Comerica Park, the first 15,000 fans who entered the ballpark received a Detroit Stars jersey, designed by Detroit native and founder of Joyshed, Randall Yarborough.

“This jersey is a tribute to the Detroit Stars and the legacy of Negro League baseball—a legacy built by Black communities who turned passion into opportunity and carved a path for those who would one day play on the biggest stage,” said Yarborough. “Every element carries their spirit. The hand-drawn type across the chest, the red star bursting into a blue faded base—each detail honors the players, the neighborhoods and the pride that made this game bigger than the field. This is more than a jersey. It’s a symbol of where we’ve been and what we carry forward.”

Turkey Stearnes’ daughters picked up the mics again for a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, to kick off a pregame ceremony recognizing seven former Negro Leagues players: Johnny Walker, Minnie Forbes, Ron Teasley, Charles Willis, Clinton Forge, Pedro Sierra and Sam Allen. Sierra then threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Tigers hosted the Reds for game two of the series at their 29th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game.

Sunday, June 15

The final day of Black in Baseball Weekend kept the theme of any usual Chevy Sunday Kids Day, and focused on the future generations.

Kaleb Johnson and Kyle Terry, the two MVPs from the participating high schools that competed in the Black Baseball Motor City Classic over Memorial Day Weekend, teamed up together to throw and catch the ceremonial first pitch.

“Throwing the first pitch at the Tigers game on Sunday was a moment I’ll never forget,” said Johnson, a senior at Detroit Edison Public School Academy High School. “Being named MVP of the Black Baseball Motor City Classic made it even better. It wasn’t just about the pitch it was about history, and showing that with hard work and heart, you can reach your goals. I hope it helps the next generation dream big and go after what they love.”

Following the first pitch, The Detroit Youth Choir performed the National Anthem and to celebrate Father’s Day, children of uniformed personnel stood with them during the National Anthem.

Community Impact

Throughout the weekend the Tigers donated over 1,300 tickets to children and community organizations including local softball and baseball athletes, Play Ball Detroit and Play Ball Weekend participants, Black Baseball Motor City Classic participants, students and more.