Black In Baseball Weekend, 2026
John Preston “Pete” Hill Family with Asia Gholston, Senior VP Marketing, Detroit Tigers
June 18, 2026 through June 21, 2026 were filled with love and laughter while carrying on the legacies of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley, and John Preston “Pete” Hill.
Thursday night began with the “Black Diamond Dinner” at the Motor City Casino Hotel. We were introduced to National Baseball Hall of Famer, John Preston “Pete” Hill posthumously and his family. Cindy Cobb, granddaughter of Ty Cobb, and Rodney Pearson, publisher of The Monthly Standard celebrated with us.
Friday’s Juneteenth Event featured guest speaker Dorian Hastings, scholarship winners, MVP winners, and the singing of both anthems by the Stearnes sisters. A tribute written by Gary Gillette was presented to the family of John Preston “Pete” Hill.
Next we celebrated “Black in Baseball/Negro Leagues Weekend” at Comerica Park. The Tigers game vs the White Sox was sold out. Before the baseball game began, the Stearnes sisters sang the National Anthem and Cary Stearnes, Jr. threw out the first pitch.
Cary Stearnes Jr. threw out the first pitch.
For Saturday’s game the first 15,000 fans received a Detroit Stars 1919 windbreaker, before seeing Negro Leaguers transported onto the field in Corvette convertibles. A moment of silence was given in honor of Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley who recently passed, before hearing an eloquent rendition of the Black National Anthem by the Stearnes Sisters.
Sunday’s celebration featured the family of Pete Hill on the field with a group of Negro Leaguers and MLB baseball players. Rashene Hill threw a strike for the first pitch and was all smiles as the crowd cheered loudly.
It was an honor to have Pete Hill introduced to the fans and a pleasure to celebrate with his family. Asia Gholston, Marcos Pina and the Detroit Tigers rolled out the red carpet for this weekend, and we are truly grateful for the love given to carry on the legacies of Turkey Stearnes and the Negro Leaguers.🤟🏾❤️⚾️
Joyce delivered the “Negro Leagues Prep Star Classic” engraved trophy to MVP Jelani Jabari.
