We just finished up Negro Leagues weekend in Detroit with a series against the Kansas City Royals. Getting a chance to be a part of it was great for me and a great experience overall.
On Friday, the Detroit Tigers honored the late Hall of Famer Turkey Stearnes, who played for the Detroit Stars of the Negro Leagues in the 1920's. Some of his family still live in the Detroit area, and a plaque will be placed at Comerica Park in remembrance of his great play. Stearnes was a center fielder and, during his time with the Stars, reportedly compiled a batting average over .360.
On Saturday, we played a throwback game and wore the Detroit Stars' uniforms. I really look forward to those days because I really love the uniforms.
I try to get my current Tigers uniform to look like those old Negro League ones, but mine isn't baggy enough. When we do get the Negro Leagues' uniforms, I try my best to get the baggiest one that won't fall off me. I pull my pants up as high as I can right to my knees, and maybe slightly over them, to make the thighs look even baggier.
Finally, I take my hat and make it look very used and wrinkled, similar to how Willie Horton wore his hat back in the 60's. I always try to get a picture in that uniform every time we get to wear them. Even though those uniforms look extremely big, they are really comfortable, and I would like to play in something like that all the time if we could.
Now we are back to our normal Tigers uniforms today, playing on the road in my hometown of Chicago. But I still will be wearing my uniform as close to the Negro Leagues' style as I can.
We have five games scheduled for four days in Chicago. That is good and bad. It gives my family and friends a chance to come and see me play for five games. But when it's all done, there probably will be some fatigue. The good thing for me is that I can sleep on any flight no matter the distance, as long as the other guys on the team don't mess with me on the flight. When this series with the White Sox is done, I'll hopefully be able to get some rest on the plane to the West Coast to face the Angels.
I also want to send my thoughts and prayers to the family of Tulsa Drillers hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh, who died after a foul ball struck him in the head on Sunday night while he was in the first-base coaching box. This is an enormous tragedy, one that I can't even imagine. I feel like I'm writing that a lot this year.
Mike is survived by his wife, two sons, and another child due in October. As we all know, people don't get rich in the minor leagues, so I would encourage those who can to make a donation to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund. All proceeds go directly to his family. You can donate at:
Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund
c/o Spirit Bank
1800 S. Baltimore Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
Curtis Granderson
