On May 11, 1930, the Detroit Stars kicked off their inaugural season at Hamtramck Stadium. That year, thanks in large part to the heroics of center fielder Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, the Stars won the Negro National League second-half title, only to lose the league championship in a grueling seven-game series against the St. Louis Stars.
Here, recently retired Detroit Tigers star Ty Cobb throws out the first pitch at Hamtramck Stadium’s grand opening.
Even though Detroit Tiger Ty Cobb was a known racist, he was a good friend of John Roesink, owner of the Detroit Stars, so agreed to throw out the first pitch.
Source:
Historic Hamtramck Stadium Facebook Page, May 11, 2017.