Detroit Tigers great Willie Horton going to All-Star Game as AL honorary coach

Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
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Willie Horton, a longtime member of the Detroit Tigers and a special assistant to the general manager, is headed to the 2022 All-Star Game on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.

He accepted an invitation from American League manager Dusty Baker — the manager of the Houston Astros — to serve as the AL's honorary coach for the Midsummer Classic.

"It will be one of my greatest honors to stand alongside one of the best baseball men I know, Mr. Dusty Baker, as an honorary coach at this year's All-Star Game," Horton said in a statement.

"Some of the greatest memories from my playing career came from my four All-star appearances, and I'm excited to help represent the Tigers among baseball's best and brightest at Dodger Stadium next month."

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Detroit Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera (24) was honored for his 3,000 hits and 500 homers before the game against the Toronto Blue Jayson Sunday, June 12, 2022. Willie Horton gets a hug after presenting Cabrera with the bat and gloves he used to get the 3,000th hit.
Detroit Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera (24) was honored for his 3,000 hits and 500 homers before the game against the Toronto Blue Jayson Sunday, June 12, 2022. Willie Horton gets a hug after presenting Cabrera with the bat and gloves he used to get the 3,000th hit.

On the National League side, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker asked Washington National manager Dave Martinez and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to join him as honorary coaches.

Horton, 79, played 15 of his 18 seasons for the Tigers, from 1963-77. A four-time All-Star and 1968 World Series champion, Horton hit .273 with 1,993 hits and 325 home runs in 2,028 career games.

Along with winning the World Series, Horton made the All-Star team in 1968. That regular season, he hit .285 with a career-high 36 home runs in 143 games. He went 7-for-23 (.304) with one home run in seven games in the World Series.

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Horton also joined the All-Star team in 1965, 1970 and 1973.

Besides the Tigers, Horton played for the Texas Rangers (1977), Cleveland Indians (1978), Oakland Athletics (1978), Toronto Blue Jays (1978) and Seattle Mariners (1979-80).

The Tigers retired Horton's No. 23 jersey in July 2000. He has worked as a special assistant to the general manager since 2003.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Willie Horton going to All-Star Game as coach