Baseball Race and Integration Symposium

Register online

The Detroit chapter of SABR proudly presents a symposium on race and integration at the major league level, with a focus on the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox, the final teams to integrate in the late 1950s. Events will be held on Saturday April 26th, and Sunday April 27th, including a bus tour of historic sites, a Sunday brunch at the Marriott Hotel, and two panel discussions featuring notable figures representing the Tigers and Red Sox. Among the scheduled participants are keynote speaker Deacon Jones, and former Tiger greats Willie Horton and Gates Brown. Here are some of the details:

Detroit Historic Baseball Bus Tour – Saturday, April 26th – $50
Leaves 10:00 from the RenCen Returns 3:20 @ Comerica Park, 3:30-4:00 @ RenCen
A five hour bus tour through the city of Detroit with visits to various baseball related places of interest. The tour includes a stop at Tiger Stadium and the price includes a boxed lunch. One ticket to the Integration Symposium is included with each bus tour ticket.

Integration Symposium Brunch @ Marriott Hotel – Sunday, April 27th – $50
11am-12:30pm Keynote Speaker 12:30-1:00pm
Spend brunch with symposium participants that include Willie Horton and Gates Brown. Keynote speaker is current Orioles scout and former Chicago White Sox first baseman Deacon Jones, the first black player recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Deacon was also a pioneering minor league manager, as well as a coach with the San Diego Padres. One ticket to the Integration Symposium is included with each brunch purchase.

Integration Symposium @ Marriott Hotel – Sunday, April 27th – $10 (or bus tour or brunch purchase)
1:15-6:00pm Two Panel Discussions, Closing Address, and breaks
Former Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox players, front office personnel, and researchers discuss the integration of their respective teams. Scheduled participants include former Tigers Willie Horton and Gates Brown, Mickey Briggs, grandson of former Tigers owner Walter Briggs, former player, Tigers Scouting Director and University of Michigan coach Don Lund, noted Negro League author and historian Jim Riley, and others. Audience members will have the opportunity and time to participate in a highly interactive discussion and debate with the panelists.

Comerica Park will play host to the Tigers and Angels the same weekend, with symposium events scheduled around the Saturday and Sunday games, providing visitors the opportunity to attend one or both games (not included as part of the symposium).

For more information, please submit your questions using the contact form on this site, or go to the SABR store to register online.

We look forward to seeing you and any additional guests you invite!