Midwest League All-Star Classic: Tigers Great Willie Horton Appearing; Whitecaps’ Jonathan Crawford Starting Pitcher

For those of my generation, the 1968 Detroit Tigers will always have a special place in our hearts.

So, it was great to see that the star leftfielder from that team, Willie Horton, will be making an appearance at Tuesday's Midwest League All-Star Classic.

Horton will throw out the first pitch and be around prior to the game for autographs.  He'll be in the concourse at Fifth Third Ballpark from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. prior to the pre-game ceremonies.

The 71-year-old still works for the Tigers organization as a special assistant to Detroit General Manager Dave Dombrowski.

Horton played 15 of his 18-year major league career with the Tigers. His uniform number, 23, is one of six retired by the Tigers.

West Michigan Whitecaps starter Jonathan Crawford, has been tagged by manager Andrew Graham to start the 50th annual Midwest League All-Star Game.

Crawford is 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 59.1 IP through 11 starts.  Crawford was the Detroit Tigers' number one raft pick in 2013.

Seven other Whitecaps will join Crawford on the All Star team, including fellow starting pitchers Austin Kubitza, Buck Farmer, and Chad Green, reliever Joe Mantiply, second baseman Javier Betancourt and outfielder Wynton Bernard.

Tickets are still available at the Whitecaps box office and online..

The Whitecaps clinched the Eastern Division first half title Sunday night with a 4-1 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks.