Negro League stadium saved in Hamtramck

**renf** · August-03-12, 07:49 PM

After a fire destroyed much of Mark Park in 1929, the owner of the Detroit Stars in the Negro National League built a new stadium for his team in Hamtramck. Ty Cobb was selected to toss the first pitch for the 1930 season. This baseball park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places this week, largely through the efforts of Detroit resident and baseball historian, Gary Gilette.

http://detroit1701.org/Roesink.html

**Hamtragedy** · August-05-12, 10:58 PM

It should read "after a fire destroyed Mack Park....."

I've learned from other random sources that this was the short-lived home for the Stars. I've walked the dog in that park for years.

There is an old outdoor hockey rink directly behind it, which the city of Hamt. ceased to operate after the winter of 1991. I skated on it, orange cones marking the femur-braking holes. I believe the compressors are still in the building between the stadium and the rink, not that they would work or anything.

**canuck** · August-06-12, 05:27 AM

interesting read renf. Thanks for the link. This is prety rich stuff in Detroit's history. I'm glad the register decided to protect this property for the future.

**neavling** · August-08-12, 08:19 AM

Most people don't know about the Detroit Stars, a Negro League team that competed in the 1920s and 30s. Its last stadium was in Hamtramck and has been neglected for 20 years. Now it is being preserved.

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/2012/0...-is-preserved/

**Hermod** · August-08-12, 09:28 AM

There was also the Detroit Black Sox in 1941.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · August-08-12, 03:18 PM

Find it hard to believe Ty Cobb threw out the 1st pitch, considering he was a documented racist.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · August-08-12, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by neavling

Most people don't know about the Detroit Stars, a Negro League team that competed in the 1920s and 30s. Its last stadium was in Hamtramck and has been neglected for 20 years. Now it is being preserved.

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/2012/0...-is-preserved/

The Tigers honor them once a year by wearing the Stars uniforms. I don't recall if they've done it already for this season.

**Hermod** · August-08-12, 03:40 PM

Although they didn't win the pennant, the last Detroit Stars team in 1937 had some pretty good players like Norman [[Turkey) Stearnes in CF and Jim [[Double Duty) Webster who played catcher on the days he wasn't pitching.

**neavling** · August-08-12, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Hermod

Although they didn't win the pennant, the last Detroit Stars team in 1937 had some pretty good players like Norman [[Turkey) Stearnes in CF and Jim [[Double Duty) Webster who played catcher on the days he wasn't pitching.

Turkey Stearnes was quite the player. It would be interesting to see how different baseball history would be if sluggers like Stearnes were allowed to play in the majors. He could destroy the ball. There are legends about it. He also was an incredibly humble guy who didn't like the spotlight.

**Hermod** · August-09-12, 04:27 AM

The 1937 team did not play at Hamtramack Stadium. They played at Dequindre Park.

**Steve** · August-09-12, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Hermod

There was also the Detroit Black Sox in 1941.

Would you know the name of the league that team was part of?

btw, thanks, renf, for the link.

**Hermod** · August-09-12, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Steve

Would you know the name of the league that team was part of?

btw, thanks, renf, for the link.

It must have been in the Negro American League. The Negro National League in 1941 did not include Detroit. For some reason, the league results for the NAL are missing for 1941 and 1942, so it may well be the NAL.

The Detroit Black Sox of 1941 were managed by Charlie Henry

**Gary** · August-09-12, 10:20 AM

According to Baseball Reference, the 1941 Detroit Black Sox played in the Independent Negro League.

**jolla** · August-09-12, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

The Tigers honor them once a year by wearing the Stars uniforms. I don't recall if they've done it already for this season.

They have.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · August-09-12, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by neavling

Turkey Stearnes was quite the player. It would be interesting to see how different baseball history would be if sluggers like Stearnes were allowed to play in the majors. He could destroy the ball. There are legends about it. He also was an incredibly humble guy who didn't like the spotlight.

Just like Josh Gibson reportedly hitting over 800 HR's over his career. Quite a bit more than Babe Ruth. It's a injustice those players weren't allowed to play that will never be rectified.