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Detroit Stars
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Detroit Stars
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The Detroit Stars were an American baseball team in the Negro leagues and played at historic Mack Park. The Stars had winning seasons every year but two, but were never able to secure any championships. Among their best players was Baseball Hall of Famer Turkey Stearnes.

Key Information

Founding

[edit]
For a list of annual win-loss records, see List of Detroit Stars seasons.

Founded in 1919 by Tenny Blount with the help of Rube Foster, owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants, the Detroit Stars immediately established themselves as one of the most powerful teams in the West. Foster transferred several of his veteran players to the team, including player-manager Pete Hill and legendary catcher Bruce Petway. Left-hander John Donaldson, Frank Wickware, Dicta Johnson, and Cuban great José Méndez took up the pitching duties, and Texan Edgar Wesley was brought in to handle first base, a job he would hold for several years.

League play

[edit]
The 1920 Detroit Stars

The Stars became a charter member of the Negro National League (NNL) in 1920.[1] New outfielder Jimmie Lyons enjoyed a brilliant season at bat, and Detroit came in second with a 35–23 record. The next season Lyons was transferred to the American Giants, and the team slumped to 32–32 and fourth place. This would be their low point for some time. For the rest of their tenure in the NNL, the Stars were consistently good (finishing under .500 only twice), but not brilliant (finishing as high as second place only twice).

The mainstays of the Detroit Stars during the 1920s were Hall of Fame center fielder Turkey Stearnes, who ranks among the all-time Negro league leaders in nearly every batting category; Hall of Fame pitcher Andy Cooper, a workhorse southpaw; pitcher Bill Holland; and first baseman Wesley, who led the league in home runs twice and batting average once. Pete Hill left after the 1921 season. Bruce Petway took his place as manager until 1926, when Candy Jim Taylor briefly held the position. Bingo DeMoss, yet another Rube Foster protégé, took over in 1927, and finally led the team to its first postseason berth in 1930. The Stars won the second-half season title, only to lose the playoff series to the St. Louis Stars.

Decline and demise

[edit]

After the collapse of the Negro National League at the end of 1931, the original Stars baseball team disbanded. They were replaced in 1932 by the Detroit Wolves of the East–West League.

Home fields

[edit]

During the 1920s the Stars made their home at Mack Park before moving to Hamtramck Stadium during the 1930–1931 seasons.[2]

Players

[edit]
For a more comprehensive list, see Detroit Stars all-time roster.

Baseball Hall of Fame inductees

[edit]

These Detroit Stars alumni have been inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[3]

Detroit Stars Hall of Famers
Inductee Position Tenure Inducted
Andy Cooper P 1920–1927
1930		 2006
Pete Hill OF / 1B 1920–1921 2006
Cristóbal Torriente OF / P 1927–1928 2006
Turkey Stearnes CF 1923–1931 2000

Notable players

[edit]

MLB throwback jerseys

[edit]

The Detroit Tigers wear Stars uniforms on Negro League Day.[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Detroit Stars

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

The Detroit Stars were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, that competed primarily in the Negro National League from 1920 to 1931. Organized in 1919, the franchise played home games at Mack Park and achieved a cumulative record of 512 wins against 432 losses, reflecting consistent competitiveness despite the absence of formal pennants. Early successes included defeating Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants, establishing the Stars as a formidable entry in Black baseball during an era when racial segregation barred African American players from Major League Baseball. The team featured standout talents such as Hall of Famers Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, who slugged powerfully across nine seasons with Detroit, and outfielder-manager Pete Hill, alongside pitchers Bruce Petway and Andy Cooper, whose contributions highlighted the depth of excluded Black athletic prowess.

Formation and Early Years

Founding and Organization

The Detroit Stars were established in 1919 as an independent baseball team in the Negro leagues circuit, prior to formal league affiliation. The franchise was organized by local businessman John "Tenny" Blount, with significant assistance from Andrew "Rube" Foster, the influential owner and manager of the , who played a key role in directing the team's formation and recruitment. This partnership leveraged Foster's expertise in Black baseball operations, enabling the Stars to assemble a competitive roster quickly, including player-manager Pete Hill, who led the team to a 27-14 record in its debut season against regional opponents. Ownership was initially shared between Blount and Foster, reflecting a collaborative model common in early Negro leagues teams to pool resources amid limited capital and segregation-era barriers to facilities and funding. The team's structure emphasized player talent over extensive infrastructure, with operations centered on road games and local exhibitions in , drawing from the city's growing Black population and industrial workforce for fan support. By defeating Foster's in key matchups during 1919, the Stars demonstrated organizational viability, setting the stage for integration into a structured league. In 1920, the Detroit Stars became a charter member of the newly formed Negro National League (NNL), founded by Foster to professionalize Black baseball through scheduled play, standardized rules, and among eight teams. This affiliation formalized the Stars' operations, shifting from ad-hoc independents to a league schedule at venues like Mack Park, while retaining Blount's primary local ownership to manage day-to-day logistics and ties. The NNL structure imposed fiscal discipline, such as profit pooling for weaker teams, though enforcement varied, underscoring the precarious balance of autonomy and collective stability in segregated professional baseball.

Initial Seasons and Independent Play

The Detroit Stars commenced operations in as an independent Negro baseball team, unaffiliated with any formal league structure, amid a landscape of exhibitions and regional matchups against other black independents and white semi-professional clubs. Co-owned by John "Tenny" Blount and established with input from , owner of the , the team played its home games at Mack Park in . Under manager Pete Hill, the Stars' inaugural contest occurred on Easter Sunday, April 20, , resulting in a victory over the white city champions, the Maxwell (or Mack) Internationals, before an attendance of approximately 3,500. During this lone independent season, the Stars participated in the loosely organized Western Independent Clubs circuit, facing opponents in non-league scheduled games that reflected the ad hoc nature of pre- National League black baseball. They achieved a documented record of 27 wins and 14 losses, placing first in their informal grouping, though comprehensive box scores and opponent details remain incomplete due to inconsistent record-keeping in independent baseball at the time. This performance demonstrated early competitive viability, drawing local interest in Detroit's growing black community and setting the stage for formalized league entry the following year. The team's success in exhibitions against regional rivals underscored the talent pool available, with players like Hill contributing offensively while pitching staffs handled varied competition without the structure of standings or .

League Affiliation and Competition

Entry into Negro National League

The Detroit Stars joined the Negro National League (NNL) as a charter member in 1920, shortly after their establishment as an independent team the previous year. The NNL was founded on February 13, 1920, by Andrew "Rube" Foster, owner of the , to create a structured professional circuit for Black players amid widespread segregation in . This initiative aimed to standardize schedules, reduce chaotic , and foster competitive play among eight original franchises, including the Stars, , , and Indianapolis ABCs. Prior to league affiliation, the Stars had competed in exhibition games and regional contests in 1919 under local management, building a roster capable of challenging established Black teams. Their entry into the NNL marked Detroit's emergence as a key hub for Negro leagues baseball, reflecting growing fan interest in the city's community and the strategic expansion of organized professional sports. The team's inclusion was facilitated by Foster's influence, who leveraged his experience to assemble the league's framework, though the Stars operated under local ownership led by figures like Tenny Blount. The Stars' inaugural NNL season began in May 1920, with games at Mack Park drawing significant crowds and establishing the team as a competitive force from the outset. This affiliation provided through scheduled league play and , contrasting with the unpredictability of independent operations, and positioned the Stars for sustained participation until the league's collapse after 1931.

Performance Records and Championships

The Detroit Stars participated in the Negro National League (NNL) from 1920 to 1931, with brief returns in 1933 and 1937, accumulating a regular-season record of 512 wins, 432 losses, and a .542 across those campaigns. The team demonstrated consistent competitiveness, particularly in the 1920s, often finishing among the league's top squads alongside powerhouses like the and , though incomplete scheduling and games complicate precise year-to-year comparisons. Their strongest collective output came under managers like Bruce Petway and Bingo DeMoss, with DeMoss posting a 230-204 mark (.530) from 1927 to 1931. In 1930, the Stars achieved their pinnacle NNL performance by capturing the second-half title with a 26-18 record at Hamtramck Stadium, propelled by standout contributions from Turkey Stearnes and Mule Suttles. This qualified them for the league's split-season playoff series against the first-half champion Stars, a best-of-seven matchup held primarily in . Despite taking three games, including a 7-5 victory highlighted by Stearnes' two doubles, the Detroit Stars fell short, losing the series 4-3 on September 22, 1930, after a 13-7 defeat in the decisive Game 7. The Stars never clinched an NNL pennant or berth, marking their sole playoff entry amid broader league instability and financial strains. Prior to formal NNL affiliation, as an independent club in , they claimed an informal Western championship through regional dominance, but this predates structured league play. Individual player accolades, such as Stearnes' multiple titles, underscored the team's talent but did not translate to collective hardware.

Notable Games and Innovations

On June 6, 1921, Detroit Stars pitcher Bill Gatewood hurled the first in Negro National League history, shutting out the Cincinnati Cuban Stars 4-0 at Mack Park. Gatewood, a veteran specialist nearing age 40, allowed no hits while his teammates provided four runs of support, marking a milestone in the league's early competitive play. Earlier that season, on May 7, 1921—the opening day of the NNL—the Stars hosted the Bacharach Giants at Mack Park in a 9-8 thriller defined by power hitting and defense. Five home runs were hit, including a three-run blast by Stars Edgar Wesley in the first inning and a two-run shot by Bruce Petway in the fifth; the Giants countered with solo homers from Dick Lundy, Bill Handy, and Country Brown. The game ended dramatically when outfielder Charley Hill threw out a runner at the plate from over 300 feet, completing a game-ending . The Stars' May 15, 1920, debut in the newly formed NNL represented a foundational moment, as one of eight charter franchises, they competed from the league's inception under Foster's organization. In terms of innovations, the Stars advanced local by playing the first known under lights in history on June 27, predating similar efforts in the major leagues and reflecting Negro leagues' broader experimentation with scheduling to attract working-class fans amid daytime industrial demands.

Personnel and Operations

Ownership and Management

The Detroit Stars were founded in 1919 by John "Tenny" Blount, a Detroit businessman, in collaboration with Andrew , the owner of the and organizer of the Negro National League; while Foster provided organizational support and may have held a partial ownership interest, Blount was the official owner of record and handled day-to-day business operations as the team's manager. Blount, born around 1873, invested in the franchise amid growing interest in Black professional baseball, securing Mack Park as the home venue and assembling an initial roster that included future Hall of Famers like . Under his leadership, the Stars joined the Negro National League as a charter member in 1920, achieving consistent on-field success despite financial strains common to the era's segregated leagues. Ownership transitioned in 1925 when Blount sold the team to Steve Pierce, a California-based African American entrepreneur who had previously operated the Pierce Giants in Oakland; Pierce assumed the roles of co-owner and president through 1927, aiming to stabilize operations amid league-wide instability following Foster's decline and the NNL's temporary collapse. Pierce's tenure focused on roster enhancements and to offset gate receipt shortfalls, though the Stars' performance waned as competition intensified. By 1928, white businessman John Roesink, a clothier and sports promoter, entered as co-owner, becoming the primary owner from 1929 to 1930; this marked one of the few instances of majority white ownership in the Negro National League, reflecting economic pressures that prompted Black franchises to seek external capital. Roesink funded the construction of Hamtramck Stadium in 1930, a 5,000-seat venue with lights for night games, to boost attendance and modernize facilities, though persistent travel costs and the eroded profitability. Management during this period included figures like Moses Walker as president in 1930, overseeing administrative duties amid the team's shift to independent play after the NNL's second iteration folded. Blount, who retained some influence post-sale, died under suspicious circumstances in December 1934, after the franchise had effectively disbanded due to insolvency.

Key Players and Rosters

The Detroit Stars assembled rosters comprising talented Black baseball players excluded from due to , drawing from independent circuits and regional talent pools. Early rosters in 1919–1920 emphasized defensive reliability and speed, with players like catcher Bruce Petway, who handled pitching staffs adeptly, and outfielder Pete Hill, a veteran with strong contact hitting. The 1920 team's batting was paced by Jimmie Lyons (.379 average, 8 home runs, 46 RBIs) and Edgar Wesley (.287 average, 11 home runs, 50 RBIs), while pitchers Bill Gatewood (15–5 record, 2.72 ERA) and Bill Holland (11–6, 2.77 ERA) anchored the staff in 64 documented games. Frank Warfield added versatility with a .281 average and infield stability. By the mid-1920s, the Stars integrated power hitters and control pitchers as the Negro National League stabilized. Center fielder Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, joining in 1923, became the franchise's offensive cornerstone through 1931, posting a .357 , 135 home runs, and 712 RBIs in nine seasons; he led the NNL in home runs six times and won the 1929 batting title with a .390 average. Stearnes' five-tool prowess—combining speed, defense, and slugging—elevated team scoring, with contemporaries like later ranking him among the Negro Leagues' elite hitters. Southpaw pitcher Andy Cooper, debuting in 1920, complemented the offense with over 120 career Negro League wins and a .643 , relying on precise control and a diverse repertoire including curveballs and changeups. Rosters fluctuated due to player mobility, with mid-decade additions like infielder Bingo DeMoss providing leadership in 124 games started from 1920–1930, and occasional stars such as pitcher John Donaldson in 1919 for early independent play. The team's core emphasized balanced lineups, though incomplete records from exhibitions and limit full documentation; databases like Seamheads identify Stearnes as the all-time leader in plate appearances (2,804) among Stars players. By the late , economic pressures led to reliance on veterans like Stearnes amid declining talent depth.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Several players associated with the Detroit Stars achieved induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional contributions to Negro Leagues baseball. These inductees primarily played during the team's formative and peak years in the 1910s and 1920s, showcasing skills that rivaled those of Major League contemporaries despite facing systemic barriers to integration. Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, a center fielder renowned for his power hitting and defensive prowess, joined the Stars in 1923 and remained until 1931, batting over .300 in multiple seasons and leading Negro Leagues in home runs several times during his tenure. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000 as part of the inaugural class recognizing Negro Leagues contributors. John Preston "Pete" Hill, an and player-manager, captained the Stars from their 1919 founding through the early 1920s, contributing elite fielding with a strong arm and consistent hitting, including 28 home runs in 1919. Hill's leadership helped establish the team's early competitiveness; he was inducted in via the Committee on African-American Baseball Research. José Méndez, a Cuban pitcher nicknamed "The Black Diamond," pitched for the Stars in 1919 after stints with other clubs, posting a 0.80 ERA in limited appearances while demonstrating masterful control and speed. Known for his transition from player to manager, Méndez was selected for Hall of Fame enshrinement in , highlighting his pioneering role among Afro-Cuban athletes. Andrew "Andy" Cooper, a left-handed pitcher, appeared for the Stars in 1920 and again from 1928 to 1929, earning acclaim for his endurance and tactical acumen on the mound. Cooper's career longevity and effectiveness against top hitters underscored his status; he entered the Hall of Fame in 2006.
PlayerPrimary PositionYears with StarsInduction Year
Andy CooperPitcher1920, 1928–19292006
Pete HillOutfielder1919–19252006
José MéndezPitcher19192006
Turkey StearnesOutfielder1923–19312000

Facilities and Logistics

Home Ballparks and Venues

The Detroit Stars played their home games primarily at Mack Park from their in 1919 through the 1920s. Located at the southeast corner of Mack Avenue and Fairview Avenue on Detroit's east side, the wooden ballpark was built in 1914 by local promoter Joe Roesink and hosted the team's inaugural game on April 20, 1919, as well as their first Negro National League contest in 1920. The venue accommodated several thousand spectators and featured a configuration favoring left-handed power hitters due to its short right-field dimensions. By 1930, amid financial strains and league realignments, the Stars shifted to Hamtramck Stadium (also called Roesink Stadium) in adjacent Hamtramck, Michigan, serving as their home through the 1931 season and briefly in 1933 during the team's final iteration. Constructed in 1930 on Dan Street, this field—capable of seating around 5,000—hosted notable Negro League talent and later iterations of Detroit-based teams until 1937, though the original Stars franchise ceased operations around that time. Today, Hamtramck Stadium endures as one of only five extant major Negro League ballparks from the 1920–1948 era, underscoring its role in preserving the history of segregated professional baseball.

Travel and Economic Challenges

The Detroit Stars, like other Negro National League teams, relied heavily on bus and automobile travel for their extensive road schedules, as rail options were financially prohibitive despite the long distances involved in competing against franchises from , Kansas City, and southern cities. This mode of transportation exposed players to mechanical breakdowns, harsh weather, and the physical toll of grueling trips, with one documented instance in the era highlighting fatalities from bus failures among Negro League personnel. Segregation laws compounded these logistics, barring teams from white-owned hotels and restaurants, forcing reliance on Black-owned accommodations, private homes, or even sleeping on the bus itself during extended journeys through Jim Crow territories. Economic pressures further strained operations, with the Stars' dependence on variable gate receipts and barnstorming exhibitions—rooted in their origins as an independent touring club in —offering inconsistent revenue amid from established leagues and intra-league scheduling disruptions. Ownership transitions, including shifts from investors to management, did little to stabilize finances, as broader league issues like uneven and the 1929 eroded solvency. By 1931, these cumulative burdens contributed to the Negro National League's dissolution, ending the original Stars franchise after a decade of competitive success but persistent fiscal fragility. Revival attempts in 1933 and 1937 under new leagues faltered, underscoring the structural economic vulnerabilities inherent to segregated .

Decline and End

Factors Contributing to Demise

The Detroit Stars' decline was inextricably linked to the broader collapse of the Negro National League (NNL), of which they were a charter member since 1920. The NNL folded after the season amid severe financial pressures exacerbated by the , which began in 1929 and drastically reduced attendance and revenue across Negro League teams, including the Stars. The economic downturn strained operations, with gate receipts plummeting as black communities in industrial cities like faced widespread unemployment and reduced disposable income for entertainment. Compounding these issues was the death of NNL founder Rube Foster in 1930, who had been instrumental in stabilizing the league through his organizational leadership and the success of teams like the Stars, which he helped establish. Foster's absence left a leadership vacuum, accelerating the league's disintegration as surviving owners struggled to maintain schedules and player contracts without centralized coordination. By 1931, only a few franchises, including Detroit, remained viable, but the cumulative effects of unpaid salaries, venue costs, and travel expenses proved insurmountable. The Stars specifically suffered from these league-wide woes, as their competitive rosters could not offset the loss of fan support and sponsorships. Attempts to revive Negro League play, such as the short-lived East-West League in 1932, briefly involved successor teams like the Wolves, but these efforts failed to sustain the original Stars' franchise, which effectively disbanded after 1931. The Great Depression's impact on black-owned businesses and entertainment ventures in further isolated the team, highlighting how macroeconomic forces disproportionately affected segregated institutions reliant on community patronage.

Final Seasons and Dissolution

The original Detroit Stars concluded their tenure in the Negro National League (NNL) with the 1931 season, amid mounting financial pressures exacerbated by the , which strained attendance and league stability across Negro leagues. The NNL, founded by in 1920, played its final games that July, with the Stars participating until the league's abrupt collapse later in the year due to insolvency and franchise failures. This marked the end of the original franchise, as ownership under figures like Tenny Blount could no longer sustain operations without the structured league framework. In 1932, no direct successor to the Stars operated in Detroit under that name; instead, the short-lived Detroit Wolves competed in the East-West League, which folded mid-season amid similar economic woes and organizational disarray. The following year, 1933, saw a brief revival when the Indianapolis ABCs relocated to Detroit mid-season and adopted the Stars moniker, entering the reformed NNL (second iteration). Managed by Candy Jim Taylor, this iteration finished with a dismal 17-31 record, placing ninth in the league, reflecting roster instability and ongoing fan attrition. The 1933 Stars disbanded at season's end, unable to overcome the cumulative effects of Depression-era economics, fragmented scheduling, and competition from teams that offered more flexible play. No further organized league play occurred under the name until a 1937 Negro American League entry, which lasted only one season before folding, signaling the effective dissolution of the franchise's viability in professional Negro leagues. This closure aligned with broader Negro league contractions, as integration prospects remained distant and independent exhibitions supplanted structured competition.

Historical Significance and Legacy

Role in Negro Leagues and Black Community

The Detroit Stars played a pivotal role as a charter member of the Negro National League (NNL), joining seven other teams in 1920 under the vision of Andrew "Rube" Foster to organize professional baseball for African American players excluded from due to segregation. Their immediate competitiveness, including strong performances in early seasons, helped stabilize the league by drawing fan interest and demonstrating the viability of structured Black professional baseball, which operated independently from 1920 until the NNL's collapse after 1931. Within Detroit's Black community, the Stars embodied resilience and excellence during an era of systemic racial barriers, serving as the city's inaugural professional African American sports franchise founded in 1919. Home games at Mack Park attracted substantial crowds, fostering social cohesion and providing economic opportunities through ticket sales, concessions, and related Black-owned enterprises that benefited from the team's prominence in the . The Stars' victories against white semi-professional teams further highlighted African American athletic prowess, instilling pride and countering narratives of inferiority amid widespread . By showcasing elite talent denied access to integrated leagues, the Stars contributed to a cultural narrative of determination in the face of adversity, with their sustained participation in the NNL underscoring the necessity and success of parallel institutions built by Black entrepreneurs like Tenny Blount and Foster. This role extended beyond athletics, reinforcing community identity and optimism in Detroit's growing African American population during the .

Integration of Statistics into MLB Records

In December 2020, (MLB) announced the formal recognition of seven Negro Leagues—operating from to 1948—as major leagues, paving the way for the eventual incorporation of their players' statistics into official MLB historical records. This decision followed extensive research by a of historians and statisticians, who verified data from approximately 95% of documented Negro Leagues games using box scores and contemporary newspaper accounts. The Detroit Stars, as a charter member of the Negro National League (founded in ), contributed significantly to this dataset, with their players' performances now retroactively counted toward MLB career and seasonal leaderboards where applicable. The full integration occurred on May 29, 2024, when MLB updated its database to include statistics from over 2,300 Negro Leagues players, affecting numerous all-time records. For Detroit Stars alumni, this elevated the legacy of Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, who played nine seasons with the team from 1923 to 1931 before stints with other Negro Leagues clubs through 1940. Stearnes' career of .348 now ranks sixth in MLB history, positioning him behind (.366), (.363), (.358), (.356), and (.350), but ahead of legends like and . His 176 home runs and other offensive metrics, derived from verified Negro Leagues play, further contextualize his Hall of Fame induction in 2000 by affirming his elite production against top competition segregated by . This integration applies selectively to documented, high-quality , excluding exhibitions or incomplete to maintain statistical . While Stearnes represents the most prominent Detroit Stars beneficiary in headline categories, other Stars players like James and Sea Robinson saw their cumulative stats added to MLB totals, enabling comprehensive career evaluations without altering modern-era . The process underscores MLB's acknowledgment of the Negro Leagues' competitive caliber, though debates persist among some analysts regarding era-specific adjustments for factors like travel fatigue and inconsistent venues inherent to segregated .

Modern Recognition and Commemorations

In 2019, marking the centennial of the team's founding, the Historical Museum opened the exhibit "Detroit Stars & The Negro Leagues," featuring artifacts, memorabilia, a historic timeline of Black baseball in , and a life-sized painting of player . The exhibit highlighted lesser-known players and organizational figures, running through September of that year. Concurrently, the Stars Centennial Conference was held in , including discussions and visual art displays focused on the team's history and Black baseball imagery. The restoration of Hamtramck Stadium, the Stars' home venue from 1926 to 1933, has served as a key site for ongoing commemorations. Reopened in 2023 after community-led renovations, the stadium hosts events celebrating Negro Leagues history, while the adjacent Hamtramck Historical Museum features exhibits with scouting reports on Stars players like Stearnes, compiled by Negro Leagues figure . The Detroit Tigers have integrated Stars recognition into annual events, including the 22nd Annual Negro Leagues Weekend in July 2024, which featured pregame ceremonies, retro Detroit Stars hats distributed to the first 15,000 fans, and festivities honoring the team's legacy. In June 2025, the Tigers' Black in Baseball Weekend (June 13-15) expanded Negro Leagues tributes with block parties, player recognitions, and cultural celebrations tied to Detroit's heritage. Earlier instances include a 2011 pregame honoring of nine former Negro Leagues players and Stars owner Minnie Forbes. Additionally, MLB's 2020 centennial observance of the Negro National League's founding encompassed tributes to charter members like the Stars across all clubs. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum maintains a dedicated profile of the Detroit Stars, documenting their 1919 organization, league championships, and key players, as part of broader exhibits with life-size statues of Hall of Famers and artifacts. In 2020, Congress authorized a U.S. Treasury commemorative coin program for the Negro Leagues centennial, recognizing teams including the Stars for their contributions to baseball.

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  52. https://www.mlb.com/news/stats-leaderboard-changes-negro-leagues-mlb
  53. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5528668/2024/05/30/mlb-negro-league-stars-stats-change/
  54. https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/06/05/detroit-stars-negro-leagues-stats-now-part-of-mlb-record
  55. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/05/28/negro-leagues-statistics-officially-incorporated-into-major-league-record-book/73882293007/
  56. https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/detroit-historical-museum-celebrates-detroit-stars-centennial-with-new-exhibit/
  57. https://www.blac.media/news-features/detroit-stars-the-negro-leagues-exhibit-opens-at-detroit-historical-museum/
  58. https://www.facebook.com/groups/jmnlc/posts/2483957871642502/
  59. https://www.mlb.com/news/norman-turkey-stearnes-legacy-lives-at-detroit-s-hamtramck-stadium
  60. https://michiganchronicle.com/22nd-annual-negro-leagues-weekend-presented-by-comerica-bank-proves-quite-the-festive-three-game-series-for-the-detroit-tigers/
  61. https://www.ilitchnewshub.com/post/detroit-tigers-inaugural-black-in-baseball-weekend-takes-negro-leagues-celebration-to-new-heights
  62. https://uni-watch.com/2011/07/18/negro-league-throwbacks-kick-ass/
  63. https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-to-honor-100th-anniversary-of-negro-leagues
  64. https://piedmontvirginian.com/commemorative-coin-to-honor-baseball-greats/
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