Former Tiger Willie Horton is a legend in Michigan — and for good reason.
Raised on Detroit's west side the youngest of 21 children, Horton signed with his hometown Detroit Tigers as a teenager out of Northwestern High and wore the Old English D for 15 seasons.
The stocky left fielder hit 325 career home runs, and helped lead the Tigers to victory in the 1968 World Series.
Since 2004, the State of Michigan has recognized October 18 as Willie Horton Day in honor of Horton's outstanding career, both on and off the playing field.
This year, on his 76th birthday, the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium pays tribute to the life and legacy of one of America's greatest living ballplayers, Detroit's own Willie Horton.
