By Larry Arreguin
DETROIT, MI, July 4, 2022: When it comes to All Stars that wore the Old English D, there is no other like William Wattison (Willie) Horton. Last week Willie was asked by the American League All Star Manager, Dusty Baker to be one of his Honorary Coaches.
Willie was a 4 time All Star during his Tiger playing years, playing in the Midsummer Classic in 1965, 1968, 1970 and 1973. During the 68 Season, he helped lead the team to a World Series Championship when he hit 36 home runs (career best) and knocked in 85 runs.
A product of Detroit Northwestern High School, on June 9, 1959, Horton was put on a show during the Public High School Championship game, against Cass Tech. In the first inning, he hit a ball onto the right center field roof of Briggs Stadium…. as a sophomore! He finished the game knocking in 3 of the 13 runs that defeated the Technicians, 13-10. Two years later, on August 6, 1961, Horton signed with the Tigers to play left field. Forty-three years later to the day, Horton’s alma mater named the new baseball and softball diamonds after him.
At 79, the Tiger Great continues to serve as a special assistant to the organization where a majority of his career .273 batting average, 1993 hits, 325 home runs and 1163 runs batted in took place.
The All-Star Game will be held on Tuesday, July 19th at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The 7:30 p.m. EST game can be seen on FOX Sports and will be available in Spanish on FOX Deportes and Univision Radio.