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.
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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 MLB 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.
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