Willie Horton

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Lore & Background

Horton's most memorable defensive moment occurred during Game 5 of the 1968 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. With the series tied 2–2 and the game tied 3–3 in the fifth inning, Lou Brock singled and attempted to score on a single by Julián Javier. Brock chose not to slide, but Horton's throw reached catcher Bill Freehan on the fly to beat him on a close play. Horton later cited this as the most memorable moment of his career. Offensively, the 1968 season was historic; in a year where the league batting average was .230 and Carl Yastrzemski won the title with .301, Horton's .285 average placed him fifth in the AL while also finishing second to Frank Howard in homers and total bases, and third in slugging. He finished third in MVP voting that year.

In Their Own Story

In 1970, a terrifying incident at Milwaukee saved the life of fellow Tiger Al Kaline. While chasing a fly ball, Kaline collided with outfielder Jim Northrup, fell onto the warning track, and began to suffocate as his jaw locked and tongue obstructed his airway. Horton rushed over and pried open Kaline's mouth to clear his breathing. Another dramatic moment occurred on June 5, 1979, against the Tigers at the Kingdome. Against pitcher John Hiller, Horton hit what appeared to be his 300th career home run, but it struck a speaker hanging from the roof and bounced onto the field for a single. He collected his actual 300th home run the next day against Jack Morris. On April 14, 1974, he also hit a popup that struck and killed a pigeon at Fenway Park.

Reader's Guide

Horton joined the Detroit Tigers organization in 1961 after winning a city championship with Detroit Northwestern High School in 1959. He played for the farm team Duluth Dukes before making his MLB debut in 1963. His career included significant trades: he was moved to the Texas Rangers on April 12, 1977, later playing for the Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 15, 1978. He finished his major league tenure with the Seattle Mariners from 1979 to 1980, where he was named the AL's Outstanding Designated Hitter in 1979 after hitting .279 with 29 HR and a career-high 106 RBI. He also managed the Venezuelan team Navegantes del Magallanes in 1978, winning the 1979 Caribbean Series championship. Horton played his final major league game on October 5, 1980.

Did You Know?

• On July 18, 1969, he tied the record for most putouts in a nine-inning game by a left fielder with nine.
• He hit three home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 9, 1970.
• In 2004, Michigan proclaimed October 18 to be 'Willie Horton Day' in honor of his charitable work.