Willie Horton: Detroit’s Own Willie the Wonder, the Tigers’ First Black Great

A compelling autobiography from one of Detroit’s favorite sons

At 15, Willie Horton received his first contract offer to become a professional baseball player. At 20, he smacked his first major-league home run. At 24, Horton stood in full uniform on the hood of his car, in the midst of burning homes and overturned vehicles, and pleaded for an end to the violence of the 1967 Detroit riots.

In this new autobiography, Horton shares the fascinating story of his life and career, from growing up in Detroit’s Jeffries Projects as the youngest of 21 children to winning a World Series with his hometown Tigers in 1968. Horton also candidly discusses the opposition he faced as a Black player, his fond memories of Al Kaline, the joy he felt in returning to the Tigers as a front office executive, and the many ways he still tries to give back to Detroit and his community.

By turns heartrending and hilarious, this timely chronicle is an essential contribution to baseball’s written history.