List Of Michigan Sports Figures
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This is a list of
athlete An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance. Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...
s, coaches, managers and
officials An official is someone who holds an office (function or mandate, regardless whether it carries an actual working space with it) in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority, (either their own or that of their ...
who were born or raised in the state of
Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
, categorized by their most prominent sport and alphabetized.


Baseball


A–L

*
Jim Abbott James Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999. He w ...
, pitcher born with one hand who played for four MLB teams, threw no-hitter for
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in Southfield; raised in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Bill Allington William Baird Allington (October 26, 1903 – August 17, 1966) was an American minor league baseball player and manager. Listed at 5' 9" and 160 pounds, Allington batted and threw right-handed. He was born in St. Clair County, Michigan. ...
, manager of minor-league teams and women's baseball's
Rockford Peaches The Rockford Peaches were a women's professional baseball team who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. A founding member, the team represented Rockford, Illinois. The Peaches were one of two teams to pla ...
(born in St. Clair County) *
Joe Altobelli Joseph Salvatore Altobelli (May 26, 1932 – March 3, 2021) was an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who played for the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He was also a manager for the San Fr ...
, MLB player, manager of
1983 World Series The 1983 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1983 season. The 80th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League champion Baltimore Orioles and the National ...
champion
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
(born in Detroit) *
Billy Ashley Billy Manual Ashley (born July 11, 1970) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Minor leagues Ashley was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 1988 MLB Draft. He started his professional career with the Gul ...
, outfielder for
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
and
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
(born in Trenton) *
Paul Assenmacher Paul Andre Assenmacher (born December 10, 1960) is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for fourteen seasons. Assenmacher pitched for the Atlanta Braves (1986–1989), Chicago Cubs (1989–1993), New York Yankees ...
, pitcher for
Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
(born in Detroit, played for Aquinas College in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Steve Avery, pitcher for
1995 World Series The 1995 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1995 season. The 91st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National League (NL) champion Atlanta Braves and the Americ ...
champion
Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
(born in Trenton; raised in Taylor) *
Neal Ball Cornelius "Neal" Ball (April 22, 1881 – October 15, 1957) was an American baseball shortstop who played seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the New York Highlanders, Cleveland Naps, and Boston Red Sox from 1907 to 1913. ...
, famed for first
unassisted triple play In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three outs by himself in one continuous play, without his teammates making any assists. Neal Ball was the first to achieve this in Major League Baseball (MLB) under ...
in
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
history (born in
Grand Haven Grand Haven is a city within the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand H ...
) *
Anthony Bass Anthony Edward Bass (born November 1, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Chica ...
, relief pitcher for Texas Rangers (born in Trenton) *
Duane Below Duane Arthur Below ( ; born November 15, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Detroit Tigers. Below has also played in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers ...
, pitcher for
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
(born in Britton) *
Augie Bergamo August Samuel Bergamo (February 14, 1917 – August 19, 1974) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944 and 1945. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he stood 5'9" and weighed 165 lbs. Bergamo is one ...
, outfielder for
St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals hav ...
in the 1940s (born in Detroit) * Neil Berry, infielder for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
in 1950s (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) *
Mike Bordick Michael Todd Bordick (born July 21, 1965) is an American retired professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball from 1990 to 2003 with four teams: the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. ...
, infielder for
Oakland A's The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(born in Marquette) *
Dave Borkowski David Richard Borkowski (born February 7, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher He began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career in 1999 with the Detroit Tigers, and briefly appeared with the Baltimore Orioles in 2004. ...
, relief pitcher for
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
(born in Detroit) *
Steve Boros Stephen Boros Jr. (September 3, 1936 – December 29, 2010) was an American baseball infielder, coach, manager, scout, and administrator. Best known for his scientific approach to the sport and his use of computers, Boros' baseball career spanned ...
, infielder, coach, manager for
Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(1983–84) and
San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
(1986) and
farm system In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team, feeder club, or nursery club is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher ...
official (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Frank Bowerman Frank Eugene Bowerman (December 5, 1868 – November 30, 1948) was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Giants, and the Boston Doves, as well as a player-manager ...
, catcher for several teams (born in
Romeo Romeo Montague () is the male protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Romeo and Juliet''. The son of Lord Montague and his wife, Lady Montague, he secretly loves and marries Juliet, a member of the rival House of Capulet, through a priest ...
) *
George Brunet George Stuart Brunet (June 8, 1935 – October 25, 1991) was an American professional baseball pitcher who also went on to a Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame career in Mexico. Brunet pitched for nine different Major League clubs during ...
, pitcher for nine teams (born in
Houghton Houghton may refer to: Places Australia * Houghton, South Australia, a town near Adelaide * Houghton Highway, the longest bridge in Australia, between Redcliffe and Brisbane in Queensland * Houghton Island (Queensland) Canada * Houghton Townshi ...
) *
Bob Buhl Robert Ray Buhl (August 12, 1928 – February 16, 2001) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Milwaukee Braves (1953–69), Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies. A native o ...
, pitcher for
Milwaukee Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bost ...
,
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
and
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
(born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * James D. Burns, first owner of
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Springwells district of
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) *
Greg Cadaret Gregory James Cadaret (born February 27, 1962) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1987 to 1998 for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals ...
, relief pitcher for several teams (born in Detroit) *
Count Campau Charles Columbus "Count" Campau (October 17, 1863 – April 3, 1938) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1888 through 1894 for the Detroit Wolverines, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Se ...
, player and manager (born in Detroit) * Bill Campbell, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Highland Park) * Dave Campbell, infielder and MLB broadcaster (born in Manistee) *
Bernie Carbo Bernardo Carbo (born August 5, 1947) is an American former outfielder and designated hitter who played from through for the Cincinnati Reds (1969–72), St. Louis Cardinals (1972–73, 1979–80), Boston Red Sox (1974–76, 1977–78), Milwaukee ...
, outfielder, famed for pinch-hit, game-tying, three-run homer in
1975 World Series The 1975 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1975 season. The 72nd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox and the Natio ...
for
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
(born in Detroit) *
Eddie Cicotte Edward Victor Cicotte (; June 19, 1884 – May 5, 1969), nicknamed "Knuckles", was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball best known for his time with the Chicago White Sox. He was one of eight players permanently ineligible f ...
, early 20th Century pitcher primarily with
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
and
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
(born in Springwells) *
Terry Collins Terry Lee Collins (born May 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball manager. He managed the Houston Astros, the Anaheim Angels and New York Mets in Major League Baseball and the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. He c ...
, manager for
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
(born in Midland) *
Josh Collmenter Joshua Michael Collmenter (born February 7, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves between 2011 and 2017, and currently plays in the Australian ...
, relief pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Homer, Michigan) *
Tim Crabtree Timothy Lyle Crabtree (born October 13, 1969) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseb ...
, pitcher for
Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
(born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) *
Todd Cruz Todd Ruben Cruz (November 23, 1955 – September 2, 2008), was an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) between and with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Califo ...
, infielder for six MLB teams (born in Highland Park) *
Roy Cullenbine Roy Joseph Cullenbine (October 18, 1913 – May 28, 1991) was an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns, Washin ...
, outfielder and first baseman (born in
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...
, raised in Detroit) *
Chad Curtis Chad David Curtis (born November 6, 1968) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and convicted sex offender. Curtis played major league baseball from 1992 to 2001 for the California Angels, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cle ...
, outfielder (raised in Middleville; taught in Lake Odessa) *
Kiki Cuyler Hazen Shirley Cuyler (; August 30, 1898 – February 11, 1950), nicknamed Kiki, was an American professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Brooklyn Dodg ...
,
Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
outfielder for several teams (born in Harrisville) *
Ike Delock Ivan Martin Delock (November 11, 1929 – February 28, 2022) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played 11 seasons for the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He was born in Highland Park, Michigan. In ten-plus seaso ...
, pitcher for the
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
(born in Highland Park) *
Dave DeBusschere David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 – May 14, 2003) was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 a ...
, pitcher for
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
, also pro basketball player (born in Detroit) *
Wish Egan Aloysius Jerome "Wish" Egan (June 16, 1881 – April 13, 1951) was a Major League Baseball player and scout. Playing career Born in Evart, Michigan, Egan played three seasons as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (1902) and St. Louis Cardinals (19 ...
, MLB player and scout (born in Evart) *
Jim Essian James Sarkis Essian, Jr. (born January 2, 1951) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Sea ...
, catcher and
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
manager (born in Detroit) *
Bill Fahey William Roger Fahey (FAY-hee) (born June 14, 1950) is a former catcher in professional baseball who played for the Washington Senators / Texas Rangers (–, –), San Diego Padres (–) and Detroit Tigers (–). Fahey batted left-handed and th ...
, player and coach (born in Detroit) *
Carmen Fanzone Carmen Ronald Fanzone (born August 30, 1941) is a former utility man who played between 1970 and 1974 in Major League Baseball. Listed at , , he batted and threw right-handed. Fanzone was a versatile and effective utility man who was able to play ...
, player for
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
(born in Detroit) *
Brad Fischer Bradley James Fischer (born June 28, 1956, in Blissfield, Michigan) is an American professional baseball coach and former player development executive, minor league player and manager. He is a former coach for the Oakland Athletics (1995–2007 and ...
, bench coach for
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
(born in Blissfield) *
Ira Flagstead Ira James Flagstead (September 22, 1893 – March 13, 1940), sometimes known as "Pete", was an American baseball player. He played 15 years of professional baseball, principally as an outfielder, including 13 years in Major League Baseball with ...
, outfielder primarily with
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
(born in Montague) *
Jack Fournier John Frank Fournier (September 28, 1889 – September 5, 1973) was an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Brookly ...
, first baseman, 1924
American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
home run leader, 1925 AL leader in walks (born in Au Sable) *
Bill Freehan William Ashley Freehan (November 29, 1941 – August 19, 2021) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire 15-year career with the Detroit Tigers. The premier catcher in the American League for several years from the 19 ...
, five-time
Gold Glove The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...
-winning catcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Detroit) *
John Ganzel John Henry Ganzel (April 7, 1874 – January 14, 1959) was an American first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Ganzel batted and threw right-handed. He played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1898), Chicago Cubs (1900), New York Giants (19 ...
, first baseman and manager (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) *
Brent Gates Brent Robert Gates (born March 14, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball second and third baseman. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins between 1993 and 1999. Playing career Amateur Gates attended Grandvill ...
, infielder for several teams (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) *
Charlie Gehringer Charles Leonard Gehringer (May 11, 1903 – January 21, 1993), nicknamed "the Mechanical Man", was an American professional baseball second baseman, coach, general manager, and team vice president, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for t ...
(known as The Mechanical Man), second baseman
Hall of Famer A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actual halls or muse ...
for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Fowlerville) *
Chris Getz Christopher Ryan Getz (born August 30, 1983) is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. Getz currently serves as the assista ...
, second baseman for
Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
(born in Southfield; raised in
Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe refers to an affluent coastal area next to Detroit, Michigan, United States, that comprises five adjacent individual cities. From southwest to northeast, they are: *Grosse Pointe Park *Grosse Pointe *Grosse Pointe Farms *Grosse Poi ...
) *
Jay Gibbons Jay Jonathan Gibbons (born March 2, 1977) is an American former professional baseball right fielder in Major League Baseball. He played college baseball at California State University, Los Angeles and in the Major Leagues for the Baltimore Oriole ...
, outfielder for
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
, batter at plate in film ''
Wedding Crashers ''Wedding Crashers'' is a 2005 American comedy film directed by David Dobkin, written by Steve Faber and Bob Fisher, starring Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Christopher Walken with Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Bradley Cooper and Jane Seymou ...
'' (born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) *
Kirk Gibson Kirk Harold Gibson (born May 28, 1957) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit and a special assistant for the Tigers. As a player, Gibson ...
, outfielder for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
, manager of
Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
(born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
; raised in
Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...
) *
Jim Gosger James Charles Gosger (born November 6, 1942) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in the majors for ten seasons between 1963 and 1974 for six different teams. Gosger was listed at and and batted and ...
, outfielder for 1969 and 1973 champion
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
(born in
Port Huron Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately. Located along the St. Clair ...
) * Dolly Gray, early 20th Century pitcher (born in
Houghton Houghton may refer to: Places Australia * Houghton, South Australia, a town near Adelaide * Houghton Highway, the longest bridge in Australia, between Redcliffe and Brisbane in Queensland * Houghton Island (Queensland) Canada * Houghton Townshi ...
) *
Ted Gray Ted Glenn Gray (December 31, 1924 – June 15, 2011) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played eight seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1946, 1948–1954), and then had short stints during the 1955 season with the Chicago White Sox, Clevela ...
, All-Star pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Detroit) *
Lenny Green Leonard Charles Green (January 6, 1933 – January 6, 2019) was an American professional baseball baseball player, player. The outfielder played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 12 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles (1957–59; 1964), Washington ...
, outfielder for several teams (born in Detroit) *
Bobby Grich Robert Anthony Grich (born January 15, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles (–) and the California Angels (–). In 1981, Grich led the ...
, four-time
Gold Glove The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...
-winning second baseman for
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
and
California Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
(born in
Muskegon Muskegon ( ') is a city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Muskegon County. Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, pleasure boating, and as a commercial and cruise ship port. It is a popular vacation destination because of the expan ...
) *
Jason Grilli Jason Michael Grilli (born November 11, 1976) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Ange ...
, pitcher for Texas Rangers (born in
Royal Oak The Royal Oak is the English oak tree within which the future King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The tree was in Boscobel Wood, which was part of the park of Boscobel House. C ...
) *
Steve Gromek Stephen Joseph Gromek (January 15, 1920 – March 12, 2002) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the American League with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. In 447 career games, Gromek ...
, pitcher and member of
National Polish-American Hall of Fame The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1973. The mission of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame is to recognize and preserve outstanding achievement by individuals of Polish heritage in the field of ...
(born in
Hamtramck Hamtramck ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, 2020 census, the city population was 28,433. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small po ...
) *
Charlie Haeger Charles Wallis Haeger (September 19, 1983October 3, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. He was one of the few knuckleball pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, San ...
, pitcher for
Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...
(born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Jeff Hamilton, third baseman for
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
(born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Brad Havens Bradley David Havens (born November 17, 1959) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins (1981–83), Baltimore Orioles (1985–86), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987–88), Cleveland Indians (1988–89) and Detroit Tigers (1989). ...
, MLB pitcher for
Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
(born in Highland Park) *
Charlie Hemphill Charles Judson "Eagle Eye" Hemphill (April 20, 1876 – June 22, 1953) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Spiders, Boston Americans, Cleveland Bronchos, St. Louis Browns and the New York High ...
, early 20th Century outfielder with
New York Highlanders The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...
and
Saint Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they p ...
(born in Greenville) *
Pat Hentgen Patrick George Hentgen (born November 13, 1968) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, and currently a special assistant with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Blue Jays, St. Louis C ...
,
Cy Young Award The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...
-winning pitcher (born in Detroit) *
Ray Herbert Raymond Ernest Herbert (December 15, 1929 - December 20, 2022) was an American former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in 407 Major League Baseball (MLB) games over 14 seasons (–; –; –) with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athle ...
, pitcher and 1963
American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
shutout leader (born in Detroit) *
Don Hopkins Don Hopkins is an artist and programmer specializing in human computer interaction and computer graphics. He is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and a former member of the University of Maryland Human–Computer Interaction Lab. He in ...
, outfielder for
Oakland A's The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(attended high school in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) *
Steve Howe Stephen James Howe (born 8 April 1947) is an English musician, best known as the guitarist in the progressive rock band Yes across three stints since 1970. Born in Holloway, North London, Howe developed an interest in the guitar and began to l ...
, relief pitcher, primarily with
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
and
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) *
Ken Howell Kenneth Howell, Jr. (November 28, 1960 – November 9, 2018) was an American professional baseball pitcher and pitching coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the National League (NL) Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies (- ...
, pitcher with
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
and
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
(born in Detroit) *
Art Houtteman Arthur Joseph Houtteman (August 7, 1927 – May 6, 2003) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for 12 seasons in the American League with the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. In 32 ...
, All-Star pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
(born in Detroit) *
Clint Hurdle Clinton Merrick Hurdle (born July 30, 1957) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder and manager. Hurdle played for the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals, and managed the Colorado Rock ...
, outfielder for several MLB teams and manager for
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
(born in Big Rapids) *
Derek Jeter Derek Sanderson Jeter ( ; born June 26, 1974) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, businessman, and baseball executive. As a player, Jeter spent his entire 20-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Yankees ...
, 14-time All-Star shortstop for
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in
Pequannock, New Jersey Pequannock Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 15,420, reflecting an increase of 1,652 (+11.9%) from the 13,888 counted in the 2000 Census, whi ...
; raised in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) *
Alex Johnson Alexander Johnson (December 7, 1942 – February 28, 2015) was an American professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB), from to , for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, California An ...
, outfielder for
California Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
(born in Arkansas, attended Northwestern High School in Detroit) * Jeff Jones, pitcher for
Oakland A's The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
, coach for the
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Detroit) *
Jim Kaat James Lee Kaat (; born November 7, 1938) is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a left-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins (–), ...
, three-time All-Star pitcher who played primarily for
Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
, sportscaster for
MLB Network The MLB Network is an American television sports channel dedicated to baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball, with Warner Bros. Discovery through its sports unit, Comcast's NBC Sports Group, Charter Communications, and Cox Com ...
(born in
Zeeland , nl, Ik worstel en kom boven("I struggle and emerge") , anthem = "Zeeuws volkslied"("Zeelandic Anthem") , image_map = Zeeland in the Netherlands.svg , map_alt = , m ...
) *
Scott Kamieniecki Scott Andrew Kamieniecki (born April 19, 1964) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Atlanta Braves between 1991 and 2000. Biography A native of M ...
, pitcher primarily for
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in
Mount Clemens Mount Clemens is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 16,314 at the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Macomb County. History Mount Clemens was first surveyed in 1795 after the American Revolutionary War by Christia ...
) *
Jim Kern James Lester Kern (born March 15, 1949) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. A three time American League All-Star (1977–1979), Kern went 13–5 with a 1.57 ERA and 29 saves out of the Texas Rangers' bullpen in to finish four ...
, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Gladwin) *
Bill Killefer William Lavier Killefer (October 10, 1887 – July 3, 1960), nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies ...
, early 20th Century catcher primarily for
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
and
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
(born in Bloomingdale) *
Red Killefer Wade Hampton "Red" Killefer (April 13, 1885 – September 4, 1958) was an outfielder and second baseman in Major League Baseball who played seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1907–1909), Washington Senators (1909–1910), Cincinnati Reds ( ...
, early 20th Century infielder for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
, Washington Senators and
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
(born in Bloomingdale) *
Maxine Kline Maxine Kline (later Randall, September 16, 1929 – June 9, 2022) was a female starting pitcher who played from 1948 through 1954 with the Fort Wayne Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at , , she batted and ...
, pitcher in
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women's baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women's professional league sports in the Uni ...
(born in North Adams) * Joe Koppe, infielder for
Milwaukee Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bost ...
and
Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
(born in Detroit) *
Ron Kramer Ronald John Kramer (June 24, 1935 – September 11, 2010) was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Kramer attended the University of Michigan from 1953 to 1957, winning a total of nine varsity letters in fo ...
, All-Pro Tight End for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(raised in
East Detroit Eastpointe (formerly East Detroit) is a city on the southern edge of Macomb County, Michigan, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,442. Eastpointe forms a part of the Metro Detroit area. It borders 8 Mile Road on the ...
) *
Bill Lajoie William Richard Lajoie (September 27, 1934 – December 28, 2010) was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and front-office executive. The general manager of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1990, he he ...
, general manager of
1984 World Series The 1984 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1984 season. The 81st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Detroit Tigers and the Nationa ...
champion
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Wyandotte) *
Hobie Landrith Hobart Neal Landrith (born March 16, 1930) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1950 through 1963 for the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francis ...
, catcher for several MLB teams (born in Illinois, attended Northwestern High School in Detroit and
Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
) *
Charley Lau Charles Richard Lau (April 12, 1933 – March 18, 1984) was an American professional baseball player and a highly influential hitting coach. During his playing career in Major League Baseball, Lau appeared in 527 games as a catcher and pinch hitt ...
, catcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and hitting coach for many Major League teams (born in
Romulus Romulus () was the legendary foundation of Rome, founder and King of Rome, first king of Ancient Rome, Rome. Various traditions attribute the establishment of many of Rome's oldest legal, political, religious, and social institutions to Romulus ...
) *
Ron LeFlore Ronald LeFlore (born June 16, 1948) is an American former Major League Baseball center fielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos. He retired with the Chicago White Sox in 1982. He stole 455 ...
, outfielder for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...
, subject of the movie '' One in a Million'' (born in Detroit) *
DJ LeMahieu David John LeMahieu (; born July 13, 1988) is an American professional baseball infielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies. The Cubs selected LeMahieu in the ...
, second baseman for
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(attended high school in Bloomfield Township) *
Dick Littlefield Richard Bernard Littlefield (March 18, 1926 – November 20, 1997) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Card ...
, MLB player of 1950s, traded for
Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line ...
(born in Detroit) *
Stan Lopata Stanley Edward Lopata (September 12, 1925 – June 15, 2013) was an American professional baseball player. A catcher, Lopata played in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Br ...
, two-time All-Star catcher (born in
Delray Delray is the name of several communities in the United States of America: *Delray, Georgia *Delray, Detroit, Michigan *Delray, Texas *Delray, West Virginia *Delray Beach, Florida *Delray Gardens, Florida *Delray Shores, Florida ;See also * Battle ...
district of
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) *
Derek Lowe Derek Christopher Lowe (born June 1, 1973) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. During his career, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland I ...
, two-time All-Star pitcher (born in Dearborn)


M–Z

*
Duke Maas Duane Frederick "Duke" Maas (January 31, 1929 – December 7, 1976) was an American professional baseball baseball player and right-handed pitcher who spent all or parts of seven seasons (1955–1961) in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tig ...
, pitcher primarily with
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in Utica) *
Larry MacPhail Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail Sr. (February 3, 1890 – October 1, 1975) was an American lawyer and an executive in Major League Baseball. He served as a high-ranking executive, including club president and general manager, with the Cincinn ...
,
Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
executive who introduced night game (at
Crosley Field Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second (1937) an ...
in
Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...
), chief executive of Reds, Dodgers and Yankees (born in Cass City) *
Mitch Maier Mitchell William Maier (born June 30, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, coach, and current front office executive. He is the director of baseball operations for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He ...
, outfielder for
Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
(born in Petoskey) * Roger Mason, pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Bellaire) *
Charlie Maxwell Charles Richard Maxwell (born April 8, 1927) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox (1950–52, 1954), Baltimore Orioles (1955), Detroit Tigers (1955–62) ...
, left fielder and first baseman for
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
and
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
, known as "Paw Paw" (born in Lawton) *
John Mayberry John Claiborn Mayberry Sr. (born February 18, 1949) is a former Major League Baseball player who was active from 1968 to 1982 for the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He was a two-time All Star. High ...
, 2-time All-Star first baseman (born in Detroit) *
Steve McCatty Steven Earl McCatty (born March 20, 1954) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1977 to 1985. He graduated from Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, in 1972. ...
, pitcher for
Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(raised in
Troy Troy ( el, Τροία and Latin: Troia, Hittite language, Hittite: 𒋫𒊒𒄿𒊭 ''Truwiša'') or Ilion ( el, Ίλιον and Latin: Ilium, Hittite language, Hittite: 𒃾𒇻𒊭 ''Wiluša'') was an ancient city located at Hisarlik in prese ...
) * John McHale, player, general manager and team president (born in Detroit) * John McHale Jr., MLB executive (born in Detroit) *
Nate McLouth Nathan Richard McLouth (born October 28, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. He was pr ...
, outfielder for
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
(born in
Muskegon Muskegon ( ') is a city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Muskegon County. Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, pleasure boating, and as a commercial and cruise ship port. It is a popular vacation destination because of the expan ...
) *
Cass Michaels Cass Michaels (Casimir Eugene Kwietniewski; March 4, 1926 – November 12, 1982) was a Major League Baseball infielder. He joined the Chicago White Sox at just seventeen years old, and played twelve seasons in the majors until a beanball ended hi ...
, infielder for
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
(born in Detroit) *
Ed Mierkowicz Edward Frank Mierkowicz (March 6, 1924 – May 19, 2017), nicknamed "Butch" and "Mouse," was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1945 to 1950 as an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardin ...
, outfielder for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Wyandotte) *
Keith Miller Keith Ross Miller (28 November 1919 – 11 October 2004) was an Australian Test cricketer and a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II. Miller is widely regarded as Australia's greatest ever all-rounder. His ability, irreverent m ...
, utility player for
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
and
Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
(born in Midland) *
Jason Motte Jason Louis Motte (born June 22, 1982) is an American former professional baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course ...
, pitcher for
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
(born in
Port Huron Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately. Located along the St. Clair ...
) *
Bill Nahorodny William Gerard Nahorodny (born August 31, 1953), is a retired professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from -. A catcher, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Detroit ...
, catcher for
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
(born in
Hamtramck Hamtramck ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, 2020 census, the city population was 28,433. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small po ...
) *
Frank Navin Francis Joseph Navin (April 18, 1871 – November 13, 1935) was the president of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball for 27 years, from 1908 to 1935. He was part-owner from 1908 to 1919, and principal owner from 1919 to 1935. He also serv ...
, owner of
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
1908–35 (born in
Adrian Adrian is a form of the Latin language, Latin given name Adrianus (given name), Adrianus or Hadrianus (disambiguation), Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria (river), Adria from the Venetic language, Venetic and ...
) *
Hal Newhouser Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 – November 10, 1998), nicknamed "Prince Hal," was an American professional baseball player. In Major League Baseball (MLB), he pitched 17 seasons on the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, from 1939 through 1 ...
,
Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
(born in Detroit) * Jim Northrup, outfielder primarily for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Breckenridge) * Frank Oberlin, early 20th Century pitcher for
Boston Americans The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
and Washington Senators (born in Elsie) *
Fred Olmstead Frederic William Olmstead (July 3, 1881 – October 22, 1936) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago White Sox from 1908 to 1911.Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
(born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) *
Scott Olsen Scott Matthew Olsen (born January 12, 1984) is an American former pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals between 2005 and 2010. Early life Olsen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended ...
, pitcher for
Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The franc ...
and
Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
(born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Frank Owen, pitcher with
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
(born in Ypsilanti) *
Tom Paciorek Thomas Marian Paciorek ( ; born November 2, 1946) is a former outfielder and first baseman who spent 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1970–1975), Atlanta Braves (1976–1978), Seattle Mariners (19 ...
, outfielder and first baseman for several major league teams (born in Detroit) *
Dick Pole Richard Henry Pole (born October 13, 1950) is a former professional baseball player and a former pitching coach. A right-handed pitcher, Pole was tall and weighed during his playing career. Playing career Pole was born in Trout Creek, Michigan ...
, pitcher for
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
and
Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...
and coach (born in Trout Creek) *
Zach Putnam Steven Zachary McGuire Putnam (born July 3, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Amateur career Bo ...
, pitcher for
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
(born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) *
J. J. Putz Joseph Jason Putz (; born February 22, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. High school an ...
, relief pitcher for
Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
(born in Trenton) *
Earl Rapp Earl Wellington Rapp (May 20, 1921 – February 13, 1992) was an American professional baseball outfielder and scout (sport), scout. In Major League Baseball, he played in and from to for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants ...
, MLB pitcher,
Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continen ...
r (born in Corunna) * Phil Regan, pitcher for several MLB teams, manager and coach (born in Otsego) *
Frank Reiber Frank Bernard Reiber (September 19, 1909 – December 26, 2002), nicknamed "Tubby," was an American baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers in 1933, 1935 and 1936. He also played 11 years in the minor leagues ...
, catcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in West Virginia, raised in Detroit) *
Merv Rettenmund Mervin Weldon Rettenmund (born June 6, 1943) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from through , most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won three ...
, 3-time World Series champion outfielder and coach (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Ed Reulbach Edward Marvin "Big Ed" Reulbach (December 1, 1882 – July 17, 1961) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs during their glory years of the early 1900s. Career Reulbach played college baseball at the University of Notre Dame ...
, early 20th Century pitcher for
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
, best known for all-Chicago
1906 World Series The 1906 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1906 season. The third edition of the World Series, it featured a crosstown matchup between the American League champion Chicago White Sox and the National Leagu ...
(born in Detroit) *
Dennis Ribant Dennis Joseph Ribant (born September 20, 1941) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds. He was traded by the Pir ...
, pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Detroit) *
Vern Ruhle Vernon Gerald Ruhle ( ; January 25, 1951 – January 20, 2007) was an American professional baseball right-handed pitcher and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros for 13 seasons, fr ...
, pitcher for
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
(born in Coleman) *
Chris Rusin Christopher Patrick Rusin (born October 22, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Kentucky. He previously played in Major ...
, starting pitcher for
Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fie ...
(born in Detroit) *
Chris Sabo Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, Christine, and Christos. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common. People with the given name *Chris Abani (born 1966), Nige ...
, N.L. Rookie of the Year third baseman for
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
and
Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
(born in Detroit) *
Matt Shoemaker Matthew David Shoemaker (born September 27, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jay ...
, pitcher for
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
(born in Wyandotte) *
Ted Simmons Ted Lyle Simmons (born August 9, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1968–1980), the Milwau ...
, 8-time All-Star catcher for several teams (born in Highland Park) *
Jim Skaalen Jim Arnold Skaalen (b. July 6, 1954, in Holland, Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Oakland A's The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball ...
, hitting coach for
Oakland A's The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(born in
Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...
) *
John Smoltz John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967), nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke", is an American former baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time A ...
, Hall of Fame pitcher primarily for
Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
, 1996
Cy Young Award The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...
winner (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Jim Snyder, MLB player, coach and manager (born in Dearborn) *
Lary Sorensen Lary Alan Sorensen (born October 4, 1955) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers (1977–1980), St. Louis Cardinals (1981), Cleveland Indians (1982–1983), Oakland Athletics (1984), Chica ...
, pitcher for seven MLB teams (born in Detroit) *
Mike Squires Michael Lynn Squires (born March 5, 1952) is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox primarily as a first baseman from 1975 and 1977 to 1985. He won the American League Gold Glove Award at first base ...
, 1970s
Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
player (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) *
Bill Stein William Allen Stein (born January 21, 1947) is an American retired professional baseball player and manager. His playing career spanned 17 seasons, 14 of which were spent in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis Cardinals (1972–1973) ...
, MLB infielder from 1972 to 1985 (born in
Battle Creek Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encom ...
) * Matt Thornton, relief pitcher for
Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
(born in Three Rivers) *
Tom Tresh Thomas Michael Tresh (September 20, 1938 – October 15, 2008) was a professional baseball infielder and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (–) and Detroit Tigers (). Tresh was a switch-hitter and thre ...
, 1962
American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
Rookie of the Year, infielder and outfielder primarily with
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
(born in Detroit) *
Steve Trout Steven Russell Trout (born July 30, 1957) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1980s. He is the son of former MLB pitcher Dizzy Trout. He had the nickname "Rainbow". Career Chicag ...
, pitcher primarily for
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
(born in Detroit) * Maurice Van Robays, outfielder for
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
in the 1940s (born in Detroit) *
Jason Varitek Jason Andrew Varitek (; born April 11, 1972), nicknamed Tek, is an American professional baseball coach and former catcher. He is currently the game planning coordinator, a uniformed coaching position, for the Boston Red Sox. After being traded a ...
, 3-time All-Star catcher for
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
(born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) *
Bob Welch Bob Welch may refer to: *Bob Welch (baseball) (1956–2014), American baseball pitcher *Bob Welch (author) (born c. 1955), American author and newspaper columnist *Bob Welch (musician) (1945–2012), American musician and member of Fleetwood Mac ** ...
, pitcher for
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
and
Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
, 1990
Cy Young Award The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...
winner (1990) (born in Detroit) *
Casper Wells Casper Charles Wells V (born November 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies ...
, outfielder for
Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...
(born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) *
Lee Weyer Lee Howard "Big Lee" Weyer (September 3, 1936 – July 4, 1988) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1961 until his death. In a 1987 ''Sports Illustrated'' poll of National League catchers, Wey ...
, MLB umpire (born in
Imlay City Imlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,585 at the 2020 census. History Imlay City was founded on April 1, 1850 by Charles Palmer, the chief engineer of the Port Huro ...
) *
Rick Wise Richard Charles Wise (born September 13, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher between and for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red ...
, 2-time All-Star pitcher primarily with
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
(born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) *
Connie Wisniewski Constance Wisniewski (Wiśniewski) (February 18, 1922 – May 4, 1995) was a starting pitcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 8", 147 lb., she batted left-handed an ...
, pitcher in
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women's baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women's professional league sports in the Uni ...
(born in Detroit) *
Tom Yawkey Thomas Austin Yawkey, born Thomas Yawkey Austin (February 21, 1903 – July 9, 1976), was an American industrialist, philanthropist, conservationist and Major League Baseball executive. Born in Detroit, Yawkey became president of the Boston Red S ...
,
Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
owner of
Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
; also AL Vice President (born in Detroit) *
Curt Young Curtis Allen Young (born April 16, 1960) is a former professional baseball pitcher and pitching coach. He played all or parts of 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, and previously served as pitching coach for the Oakland Athletics and the San F ...
, pitcher and coach for
Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
(born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * Kevin Young, first baseman in 1990s primarily for
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
(born in Alpena)


Basketball

*
B. J. Armstrong Benjamin Roy "B. J." Armstrong Jr. (born September 9, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player. Armstrong won three NBA championships during his career as a point guard for the Chicago Bulls. Early life Armstrong was born in ...
, point guard during
Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 1 ...
dynasty of 1990s (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Jamie Arnold, American-Israeli pro player (born in Oak Park) *
Sam Balter Samuel Balter Jr. (October 15, 1909 – August 8, 1998) was an American basketball player who won a gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was also a renowned sportscaster. Career Balter was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went first to Li ...
(1909–1998), basketball player *
Shane Battier Shane Courtney Battier (born September 9, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He's also worked for ESPN and recently joined the board of Yext. Battier is best known for his four years playing basketball at Duke, his 13 ye ...
, forward for
Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Southe ...
, 2-time NBA champion (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * Charlie Bell, shooting guard for
Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...
(born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Dave Bing David Bing (born November 24, 1943) is an American former professional basketball player, businessman, and politician who served as the 74th mayor of Detroit, Michigan from 2009 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party. After starring a ...
, guard primarily for
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
, founder of Bing Steel and Mayor of Detroit (born in Washington, D.C.; moved to Detroit) *
Devin Booker Devin Armani Booker (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the son of former basketball player Melvin Booker. After playing college basketba ...
, shooting guard for
Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...
(born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) *
Don Boven Donald E. Boven (March 6, 1925 – March 10, 2011) was an American basketball player, coach, and university instructor. He was a World War II veteran who was a standout athlete at Western Michigan University. After playing professional basketball, ...
, player and coach for
Western Michigan West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrary region in the U.S. state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Most narrowly it refers to the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Michigan, Holland area, and more broadly to most of the region a ...
(born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) *
Jim Boylen James Francis Boylen (born April 18, 1965) is an American professional basketball coach. He was the coach of the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Previously, Boylen served as head coach for the University of Utah, coa ...
, assistant coach for
Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...
(born in
East Grand Rapids East Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,694. The city is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is surrounded by Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Township, b ...
) *
Mark Brisker Mark Brisker (born September 22, 1969) is an American-Israeli 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) tall former basketball guard. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. At Henry Ford High School, in 1987 he was a second-team Class A All-State pick by the ''Free P ...
, American-Israeli pro player * P. J. Brown, player for several NBA teams (born in Detroit) *
Bill Buntin William L. Buntin (May 5, 1942 – May 9, 1968) was an American basketball player. He played collegiately for the University of Michigan and in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Buntin died of a heart attack at age 26. College career Bun ...
, first
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
pick of
1965 NBA draft The 1965 NBA draft was the 19th annual draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 6, 1965, before the 1965–66 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players ...
(born in Detroit) *
Franklin Cappon Franklin C. "Cappy" Cappon (October 17, 1900 – November 29, 1961) was an American college football and college basketball player and coach. He played football and basketball at Phillips University and the University of Michigan and coached at ...
, head coach,
Princeton Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine ...
and
Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
(born in
Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...
) *
Wilson Chandler Wilson Jamall Chandler (born May 10, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, mainly with the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets. He has also played for Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese ...
, player for
Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team was founded as the D ...
(born in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) *
Bill Chmielewski William Chmielewski (born December 12, 1941) is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Holy Redeemer High School, graduating in 1960. As a senior he helped Holy Redeemer capture the Class ...
, 15th overall pick of
1974 NBA draft The 1974 NBA draft was the 28th annual NBA Draft, draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 28, 1974, before the 1974–75 NBA season, 1974–75 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur ...
(born in Detroit) * Archie Clark, player for
University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota, formally the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, (UMN Twin Cities, the U of M, or Minnesota) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Tw ...
and NBA (lived in
Ecorse Ecorse ( ') is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,512 at the 2010 census. Ecorse is part of the Downriver community within Metro Detroit. The city shares a northwestern border with the city of Detroit ...
) *
Mateen Cleaves Mateen Ahmad Cleaves (born September 7, 1977) is a retired American basketball player. He played parts of six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an All-American college player for Michigan State, where he led the Sparta ...
, player for several NBA teams (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *
Will Clyburn William Dalen Clyburn (born May 17, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague. Clyburn attended three colleges, from 2008 to 2013: Marshalltown Community College ...
, professional basketball player, 2016 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League, 2019
EuroLeague Final Four MVP The EuroLeague Final Four Most Valuable Player Award is presented and awarded to the basketball player who has exhibited the most exceptional play during the EuroLeague Final Four. The award often goes to the best player on the European-wide top ...
(born in Detroit) *
Fred Cofield Frederick Cofield (born January 4, 1962) is a retired American basketball player. He was a 6'3" (1.90 m) and 190 lb (86 kg) guard. Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Cofield played collegiately for the University of Oregon and Eastern Michig ...
, player for
New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
and
Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 1 ...
(born in Ypsilanti) *
Derrick Coleman Derrick Demetrius Coleman (born June 21, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player. Coleman was born in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up and attended high school in Detroit, Michigan, Detroit, and attended college at Syracuse Univer ...
, forward primarily with
New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
and
Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eas ...
(born in Alabama but raised in Detroit) *
Jordan Crawford Jordan Lee Crawford (born October 23, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for Manama Club of the Bahraini Premier League. He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers and the Xavier Musketeers. His brother is Joe Crawfor ...
, player for
Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast D ...
(born in Detroit) * Johnny Davis, former NBA player and coach (born in Detroit) *
Dave DeBusschere David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 – May 14, 2003) was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 a ...
, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
, played with
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
and
New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
; youngest head coach (at 24) in NBA history (born in Detroit) * Anna DeForge, WNBA player (born in Iron Mountain) * Derrick Dial, player for
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...
,
Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play their home games a ...
and
Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The franchise was establ ...
(born in Detroit) *
Chris Douglas-Roberts Chris Douglas Roberts (born January 8, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis. High school career Douglas-Roberts played high school basketball at Cass Technical Hig ...
, shooting guard for
Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...
(born in Detroit) *
Brian Dutcher Brian James Dutcher (born October 30, 1959) is an American college basketball coach and is the head coach for the San Diego State Aztecs men's team of the Mountain West Conference. He was an assistant under head coach Steve Fisher with the Mich ...
, head coach for
San Diego State San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system ...
(born in Alpena) *
Jim Dutcher Jim Dutcher (born 1943), is an American natural history, naturalist, cinematographer, director and author. He has written eight books and produced three wildlife films about wolves. Jim and his wife, Jamie Dutcher, are the creators of the two-t ...
, head coach for
Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
and
Eastern Michigan Eastern Michigan University (EMU, Eastern Michigan or simply Eastern), is a public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School, the school was the fourth normal school established in the United Sta ...
(born in Alpena) *
Howard Eisley Howard Jonathan Eisley (born December 4, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player and current coach. Born in Detroit, Eisley played college basketball at Boston College and was drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Eisl ...
, point guard, assistant coach for
Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
(born in Detroit) * James Enright,
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
referee, officiated NCAA tournaments (including Final Four and 1948 and 1952 Olympics (born in Sodus) *
Katie Feenstra Katharen Ruth Mattera ( Feenstra; born November 17, 1982) is an American college basketball coach and former player for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Mattera is one of the tallest players in WNBA history. At 6 feet 7.5 inch ...
, WNBA center for
Atlanta Dream The Atlanta Dream are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded for the 2008 WNBA season. The team is owned by real ...
, former
Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champions. Debuting in 1998, the Shock were one of the league's first expansion franchises. ...
(born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) *
Gus Ganakas Augustus George "Gus" Ganakas (July 3, 1926 – January 11, 2019) was an American sports broadcaster, athletics administrator, and coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team. Early life Ganakas was born on July 3, 1926, in Mount ...
, basketball coach of
East Lansing High School East Lansing High School is a public high school in the city of East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It is managed by the East Lansing Public Schools district. The school is located about a mile north of the Michigan State University campus. ...
state champions and
Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
, broadcaster (born in New York, moved to Michigan) *
Derrick Gervin Derrick Gervin (born March 28, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player born in Detroit. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was the 1995 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, and a two-time top scorer in ...
, NBA basketball player, 1995
Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP The Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, or Israeli Basketball Super League MVP, is an annual basketball award that is presented to the most valuable player in a given season of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, which is the top-tier lev ...
(born in Detroit) *
George Gervin George Gervin ( ; born April 27, 1952), nicknamed "the Iceman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, ...
, 9-time NBA All-Star; member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
(born in Detroit) *
Gail Goestenkors Gail Ann Goestenkors (born February 26, 1963) is an American basketball coach who is currently an assistant coach for the Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball team. She is perhaps best known as the women's college basketball head coach of Duke ...
, coach, member of
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the sport of women's basketball. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women's bask ...
(born in
Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...
) *
Draymond Green Draymond Jamal Green Sr. (born March 4, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Green, who plays primarily at the Power forward (basketball), power forward ...
, small forward for 2-time NBA champion
Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...
(born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Willie Green, shooting guard for Atlanta Hawks (born in Detroit) * Paul Griffin (basketball), Paul Griffin, center-forward for
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...
(born in Shelby, Oceana County, Michigan, Shelby) * Malik Hairston, shooting guard for
San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...
(born in Detroit) * Shaler Halimon, 14th overall pick of 1968 NBA draft (attended high school in
Romulus Romulus () was the legendary foundation of Rome, founder and King of Rome, first king of Ancient Rome, Rome. Various traditions attribute the establishment of many of Rome's oldest legal, political, religious, and social institutions to Romulus ...
) * Darvin Ham, player with
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
and Philippine Basketball Association team, Talk N' Text Phone Pals, Talk N Text Phone Pals (born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * Zach Hankins (born 1996), player for Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League * Manny Harris, shooting guard for Cleveland Cavaliers (born in Detroit) * Spencer Haywood, Olympic gold medalist, NBA champion, Basketball Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame (attended high school in Detroit) * Stan Heath, head coach for University of Arkansas Razorbacks (born in Detroit) * Al Horford, NBA player for Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics (born in Dominican Republic; moved to Grand Ledge, Michigan, Grand Ledge) *Nate Huffman, professional basketball player, 2001
Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP The Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, or Israeli Basketball Super League MVP, is an annual basketball award that is presented to the most valuable player in a given season of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, which is the top-tier lev ...
* Tom Izzo, head coach for
Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
, 2000 NCAA champion,
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
(born in Iron Mountain) * Magic Johnson, NCAA, NBA and Olympic champion, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
, president of Los Angeles Lakers, part-owner of
Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
(born in Lansing) * Neil Johnson (basketball), Neil Johnson, NBA player for
New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
(born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Chris Kaman, center for five NBA teams (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Greg Kelser, forward for 1978-79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, 1979 NCAA champion Michigan State and NBA player (attended high school in Detroit) * Danny Lewis (basketball), Danny Lewis (born 1970), American-English basketball player * Grant Long, player for several teams (born in Wayne, Michigan, Wayne) * John Long (basketball, born 1956), John Long, guard for
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in Romulus, Michigan, Romulus) * Kalin Lucas (born 1989), player in the Israel Basketball Premier League * Mark Macon, player for
Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team was founded as the D ...
and
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * Dan Majerle, guard for
Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...
1988–2002, 3-time All-Star (born in Cadillac, Michigan, Cadillac) * Devyn Marble (born 1992), basketball player for Maccabi Haifa B.C., Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League * Kenyon Martin, power forward for five NBA teams (born in Saginaw) * JaVale McGee, center for 2017 NBA champion
Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...
(born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Pamela McGee, player for USC national champions, Olympic gold medalist (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Kennedy McIntosh, NBA player (born in Detroit, raised in South Haven, Michigan, South Haven) * Pop McKale, athlete and coach, University of Arizona arena named for him (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Terry Mills (basketball), Terry Mills, member of 1988-89 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, 1989 Michigan national champions, NBA player for
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in
Romulus Romulus () was the legendary foundation of Rome, founder and King of Rome, first king of Ancient Rome, Rome. Various traditions attribute the establishment of many of Rome's oldest legal, political, religious, and social institutions to Romulus ...
) * Mark Montgomery (basketball), Mark Montgomery, player for
Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
, head coach at Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball, Northern Illinois (raised in Inkster, Michigan, Inkster) * Deanna Nolan, point guard for
Detroit Shock The Detroit Shock were a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006, and 2008 WNBA champions. Debuting in 1998, the Shock were one of the league's first expansion franchises. ...
, 3-time WNBA champion (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Marcus Norris (born 1974), basketball player * Harlan Page, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
, University of Chicago coach (born in Watervliet, Michigan, Watervliet) * Morris Peterson, player with Oklahoma City Thunder (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) *Austin Price (born 1995), player in the Israeli Premier Basketball League * William Reid (basketball), William Reid, player, coach, athletic director for Colgate University, Colgate, NCAA executive, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
(born in Detroit, raised in
Adrian Adrian is a form of the Latin language, Latin given name Adrianus (given name), Adrianus or Hadrianus (disambiguation), Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria (river), Adria from the Venetic language, Venetic and ...
) * Glen Rice, member of 1988-89 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, 1989 Michigan national champions, forward for several NBA teams (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Jason Richardson, player for five NBA teams (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Jalen Rose, guard for several NBA teams, analyst for ESPN; member of
Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
"Fab Five" (along with Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson) (born in Detroit) * Dan Roundfield, player for four NBA teams, 3-time All-Star (born in Detroit) * Campy Russell, NBA player with Cleveland Cavaliers (attended high school in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Walker Russell, NBA player with
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Walker Russell Jr., point guard with
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) *Kulawnie Saunders, guard with Grand Rapids Danger formerly ABA currently NABL League (born Minneapolis, lives in Grand Rapids) * Ralph Simpson, 5-time American Basketball Association, ABA All-Star (born in Detroit) * Mel Taube, head coach for Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball, Purdue (born in Detroit) * Isiah Thomas, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
, point guard for
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
from 1981 to 1994, NBA champion 1989, 1990; president of
New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
(born in Chicago, lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills) * Rudy Tomjanovich, 5-time All-Star player, coach of Los Angeles Lakers, 1994 and 1995 NBA champion Houston Rockets (born in
Hamtramck Hamtramck ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, 2020 census, the city population was 28,433. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small po ...
) * Terry Tyler, NBA player for
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
, Sacramento Kings (born in Detroit) * Tyler Ulis, point guard for the
Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...
(born in Southfield) * Loy Vaught, forward for 1988-89 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, 1989 NCAA champion Michigan and
Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...
(born in Grand Rapids) * Jay Vincent, forward for 1978-79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, 1979 NCAA champion Michigan State, NBA player and coach of Charlotte Bobcats (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Sam Vincent (basketball), Sam Vincent, guard for several NBA teams (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Chet Walker, forward for
Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eas ...
and
Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 1 ...
, member of
Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as basketball's most complete library, in addition to promoting and pre ...
(from
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) * Terrence Watson (born 1987), American-Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Eilat B.C., Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, Israeli Premier League * Chris Webber, 5-time NBA All-Star power forward for Sacramento Kings,
Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eas ...
and
Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...
(born in Detroit)
Nick Whitney
lead scoring player for th

(born in Jackson) * Robert Whaley, NBA player (born in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) * James Young (basketball), James Young, NBA player; 2019-20 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League (born in Flint)


Boxing

* Chris Byrd, former WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, nicknamed "Rapid Fire" (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Tracy Byrd (boxer), Tracy Byrd, female boxer (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Charles Pierce Davey, pro and Olympic boxer, boxing official (born in Michigan, Four time NCAA boxing champion out of Michigan State University, Michigan State) * Andre Dirrell, super middleweight (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Anthony Dirrell, super middleweight (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Eddie Futch, trainer of nine world champions (born in Hillsboro, Mississippi; raised in Detroit) * Thomas Hearns (aka "The Hit Man" and "Motor City Cobra"), welterweight champion (born in Memphis, Tennessee; moved to Detroit) * Derrick Jefferson (aka "D-Train"), heavyweight (born in Oak Park) * Jackie Kallen, boxing's first female manager (born in Detroit) * Stanley Ketchel (Stanilas Kiecal, aka "The Michigan Assassin"), middleweight champion (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Kid Lavigne, George "Kid" Lavigne, world lightweight champion of 1890s (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Joe Louis, world heavyweight champion for 12 years, considered by some the best boxer of all time (born in LaFayette, Alabama; moved to Detroit) * Buster Mathis Jr., heavyweight boxer (born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, East Grand Rapids) * Floyd Mayweather Jr., undefeated five-division champion (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Jeff Mayweather, junior-lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids) * Roger Mayweather, lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids) * Milton McCrory, welterweight champion (born in Detroit) * Steve McCrory, flyweight, Olympic gold medalist (born in Detroit) * Bronco McKart, light middleweight champion (born in Monroe, Michigan, Monroe) * Jimmy Paul, lightweight champion (born in Detroit) * Sugar Ray Robinson, first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times (born in Ailey, Georgia; raised in Detroit) * Tarick Salmaci, middleweight (born in Dearborn) * Claressa Shields, first American woman to win Olympic gold medal in boxing, 2012 Olympic Games, London 2012 (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Emanuel Steward, trainer of Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and other champions (born in West Virginia; raised in Detroit) * Duane Thomas (boxer), Duane Thomas, light-heavyweight champion (born in Detroit) * Pinklon Thomas, heavyweight boxing champion (born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Frederick Wedge, boxer and clergyman (born in Mecosta County, Michigan, Mecosta County) * Ad Wolgast (aka, "The Michigan Wildcat"), early 20th century lightweight champion (born in Cadillac, Michigan, Cadillac)


Football

* Anthony Adams, defensive tackle for Chicago Bears (born in Detroit) *Erik Affholter (born 1966), American football NFL wide receiver (born in Detroit) * George Allen (American football coach), George Allen, Hall of Fame head coach (born in Detroit) * Heartley Anderson, Hunk Anderson, guard and head coach for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, Notre Dame, player and head coach for Chicago Bears, coach of Detroit Lions (born in Calumet, Michigan, Calumet) * Fred Arbanas, tight end for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Detroit) * Jess Atkinson, National Football League, NFL placekicker (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Jason Babin, defensive end for Philadelphia Eagles (Paw Paw, Michigan, Paw Paw) * Jeff Backus, left tackle for Detroit Lions (born in Midland) * Alan Ball (American football), Alan Ball, cornerback and safety for Dallas Cowboys (born in Detroit) * Carl Banks, linebacker primarily with New York Giants (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Joe Barksdale, offensive tackle for Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers (born in Detroit) * Terry Barr, halfback for Detroit Lions 1957–65 (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Connor Barwin, linebacker for Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles (born in Detroit) * Mike Bass, defensive back for Washington Redskins (born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti) * Dan Bazuin, defensive end for Houston Texans (born in McBain, Michigan, McBain) * Joique Bell, running back for Detroit Lions (born in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) * Ray Bentley, linebacker primarily with Buffalo Bills, including their Super Bowl years (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
. * Jerome Bettis ("The Bus"), Hall of Fame running back for Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit) * Earl Blaik, coach for United States Military Academy and Dartmouth College (born in Detroit) * Dan Boisture, coach for Eastern Michigan University (born in Detroit) * Alfonso Boone, defensive end for San Diego Chargers (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Tony Branoff, running back for University of Michigan (born in Flint) * Chester Brewer, coach, athletic director, Michigan State Spartans football, Michigan State and Missouri Tigers football, Missouri (born in Owosso, Michigan, Owosso) * Omar Brown (defensive back, born 1988), Omar Brown, free safety for Baltimore Ravens (raised in Berkley, Michigan, Berkley) * Ed Budde, offensive lineman for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Highland Park) *Mark Campbell, tight end for Michigan Wolverines, 10 years in NFL for Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints (born in Clawson) * Brandon Carr, cornerback for Baltimore Ravens (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * George Cartier, quarterback of first Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, Notre Dame team, 1887 (born in Ludington, Michigan, Ludington) * Lynn Chandnois, defensive back and All American at Michigan State, born in Flint * Jack Conklin, offensive tackle for Cleveland Browns, (born in Plainwell, Michigan, Plainwell) * Kirk Cousins, quarterback for Minnesota Vikings (born in
Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...
) * Terry Crews, player for Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Dan Currie, linebacker for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
and Los Angeles Rams (born in Detroit) * Lional Dalton, defensive tackle for several NFL teams (born in Detroit) * Carl Davis (American football), Carl Davis, defensive tackle for Baltimore Ravens (born in Detroit) * Kellen Davis, tight end for Chicago Bears (born in
Adrian Adrian is a form of the Latin language, Latin given name Adrianus (given name), Adrianus or Hadrianus (disambiguation), Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria (river), Adria from the Venetic language, Venetic and ...
) * Bob Devaney, coach for Nebraska Cornhuskers football, Nebraska, member of College Football Hall of Fame (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Dorne Dibble, wide receiver for Michigan State Spartans football, Michigan State and 1957 Detroit Lions season, 1957 NFL champion Detroit Lions (born in
Adrian Adrian is a form of the Latin language, Latin given name Adrianus (given name), Adrianus or Hadrianus (disambiguation), Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria (river), Adria from the Venetic language, Venetic and ...
) * Dan Dierdorf, lineman, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Ohio, attended University of Michigan) * John DiGiorgio, linebacker for Buffalo Bills (born in Shelby Township, Michigan, Shelby Township) * Gus Dorais, head coach of Detroit Titans football, University of Detroit and Detroit Lions (born in Wisconsin, died in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * T. J. Duckett, running back for Seattle Seahawks (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Tony Dungy, coach, won Super Bowl XLI with Indianapolis Colts (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Braylon Edwards, wide receiver for several NFL teams (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Phil Emery (American football), Phil Emery, general manager of Chicago Bears (born in Detroit, raised in Garden City, Michigan, Garden City) * Eric Fisher (American football), Eric Fisher, offensive tackle for Kansas City Chiefs (born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) * Jake Fisher, offensive tackle for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Traverse City, Michigan, Traverse City) * Larry Foote, linebacker for Arizona Cardinals (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Bennie Fowler III, wide receiver for New York Giants (born in Beverly Hills, Michigan, Beverly Hills) * Eric Fowler, wide receiver for Detroit Lions (born in New Haven, Michigan, New Haven) * Zach Fulton, guard for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Detroit) * Devin Funchess, wide receiver for Carolina Panthers (born in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Farmington Hills) * John Fuqua, John "Frenchy" Fuqua, running back for Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit) * Adam Gase, head coach of Miami Dolphins (born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti) * Antonio Gates, tight end for San Diego Chargers (born in Detroit) * Eric Ghiaciuc, center for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Oxford, Michigan, Oxford) * Vernon Gholston, defensive end for New York Jets (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * John Gilmore (American football), John Gilmore, tight end for New Orleans Saints (born in Marquette) * George Gipp (aka the "Gipper"), University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame football player immortalized in film by Ronald Reagan) (born in Laurium, Michigan, Laurium) * Kevin Glenn, quarterback in Canadian Football League (born in Detroit) * Chris Godfrey, former NFL guard, primarily for New York Giants (born in Detroit) * Paul G. Goebel, college and pro player, Big Ten referee (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Ian Gold, linebacker for Denver Broncos (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Brandon Graham (American football), Brandon Graham, defensive end for Philadelphia Eagles (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Jonas Gray, running back for Jacksonville Jaguars (born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Brock Gutierrez, NFL player, primarily for Detroit Lions (from Charlotte, Michigan, Charlotte) * Ra'Shede Hageman, defensive tackle for Atlanta Falcons (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Ali Haji-Sheikh, placekicker, primarily for New York Giants (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Ty Hallock, Fullback, Tight End and Linebacker for Detroit Lions and 2 other teams (born in Grand Rapids) *Johnathan Hankins, defensive tackle for New York Giants (born in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Dearborn Heights) * Mike Hankwitz, college player and coach (born in Ludington, Michigan, Ludington) * Jim Harbaugh, head coach for San Francisco 49ers and Michigan Wolverines football, Michigan (raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * John Harbaugh, head coach for Baltimore Ravens (raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * David Harris (American football), David Harris, linebacker for New York Jets (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Jerome Harrison, running back for Detroit Lions (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Courtney Hawkins (American football), Courtney Hawkins, wide receiver for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Jeff Heath (American football), Jeff Heath, safety for Dallas Cowboys (born in Lake Orion, Michigan, Lake Orion) * Drew Henson, quarterback with Dallas Cowboys and Rhein Fire (NFL Europe), Rhein Fire of NFL Europe; (born in San Diego, California; raised in Brighton, Michigan, Brighton) * Todd Herremans, offensive lineman for Philadelphia Eagles (born in Ravenna, Michigan, Ravenna) * Bill Hewitt (American football), Bill Hewitt, Hall of Fame End (American football), end for Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Rod Hill, NFL defensive back (born in Detroit) * Gary Hogeboom, NFL quarterback, contestant ''Survivor: Guatemala'' (born in
Grand Haven Grand Haven is a city within the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand H ...
) * Andre Holmes, a Wide Receiver currently plays for the denver broncos and born in Hillsdale, Michigan * Tommy Hughitt, NFL player and coach (raised in Escanaba, Michigan, Escanaba) * Tory Humphrey, tight end for New Orleans Saints (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Mark Ingram Sr., wide receiver of New York Giants (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Mark Ingram II, 2009 Heisman trophy winner and running back for New Orleans Saints (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Jeff Janis, wide receiver for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Tawas City, Michigan, Tawas City) * Jon Jansen, left tackle for Washington Redskins (born in Clawson, Michigan, Clawson) * Cullen Jenkins, defensive tackle for New York Giants (born in Detroit) * Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle for Carolina Panthers (born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti) * Greg Jennings, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Pepper Johnson, linebacker and American football positions#Defensive line, defensive line coach for New England Patriots (born in Detroit) * Ron Johnson (cornerback), Ron Johnson, cornerback, 2-time Super Bowl champion with Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit) * Brad Jones (American football), Brad Jones, linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Jason Jones (defensive end), Jason Jones, defensive end for Detroit Lions (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Adam Kieft, offensive tackle for Cincinnati Bengals (from Rockford, Michigan, Rockford) * Paul Krause, NFL safety, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Craig Krenzel, quarterback for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Sterling Heights) * T. J. Lang, offensive lineman for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Ferndale, Michigan, Ferndale) * Tim Lelito, offensive guard for New Orleans Saints (born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) * Todd Lyght, cornerback for Los Angeles Rams (attended school in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Jake Long, left tackle for Miami Dolphins (born in Lapeer, Michigan, Lapeer) * Dean Look, college and pro quarterback and NFL official (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Gary Lowe, defensive back for Detroit Lions (born in Trenton) * Roy Manning, linebacker for Buffalo Bills (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Chester Marcol, kicker for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Poland, attended school in
Imlay City Imlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,585 at the 2020 census. History Imlay City was founded on April 1, 1850 by Charles Palmer, the chief engineer of the Port Huro ...
) * Steve Mariucci, head coach of San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions (born in Iron Mountain) * Keshawn Martin, wide receiver for Houston Texans (born in Inkster, Michigan, Inkster) * Ruvell Martin, wide receiver for Buffalo Bills (born in
Muskegon Muskegon ( ') is a city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Muskegon County. Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, pleasure boating, and as a commercial and cruise ship port. It is a popular vacation destination because of the expan ...
) * Derrick Mason, wide receiver for Houston Texans (born in Detroit) * Tony McGee, 14-season NFL defensive lineman (born in
Battle Creek Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encom ...
) * Pete Metzelaars, tight end primarily with Buffalo Bills (born in Three Rivers) * Jim Miller (quarterback), Jim Miller, Quarterback Chicago Bears (born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Grosse Pointe) * Earl Morrall, quarterback primarily for History of the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins (born in Muskegon) * Craig Morton, quarterback for Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New York Giants (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Don Morton, head coach, North Dakota State Bison football, North Dakota State, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Wisconsin Badgers football, Wisconsin (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * John Morton (American football), John Morton, NFL and CFL player, New York Jets offensive coordinator (born in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Auburn Hills) * Howard Mudd, lineman, member of NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and Pro Football Hall of Fame (from Midland) * Muhsin Muhammad, wide receiver for Chicago Bears (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) *Sean Murphy-Bunting, Cornerback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Macomb Township, Michigan, Macomb Township) *Matt Murphy (American football tackle), Matt Murphy (2002-2008), Tight End (born in Macomb Township, Michigan, Macomb Township) * Harry Newman (1909–2000), All-Pro quarterback * Shantee Orr, linebacker for Cleveland Browns (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Calvin Pace, linebacker for New York Jets (born in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
) * Jereme Perry, cornerback for Cleveland Browns (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Nick Perry (linebacker), Nick Perry, linebacker for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Detroit) * Geoff Pope (American football), Geoff Pope, NFL cornerback (born in Detroit) * Karon Riley, defensive end for Washington Redskins (born in Detroit) * Andre Rison, wide receiver for several teams (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Charles Rogers (wide receiver), Charles Rogers, second overall pick of Detroit Lions (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Gene Ronzani, player for Chicago Bears, head coach for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Iron Mountain) * Jon Runyan Sr., Jon Runyan, NFL offensive tackle (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Tony Scheffler, tight end for Detroit Lions (born in Morenci, Michigan, Morenci) * Stuart Schweigert, safety for United Football League (2009), United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks (born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * Bart Scott, linebacker for New York Jets (born in Detroit) * Tim Shaw (American football), Tim Shaw, linebacker for Tennessee Titans (raised in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Bill Sheridan, defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Detroit) * Fritz Shurmur, assistant coach for five NFL teams (born in Wyandotte) * Pat Shurmur, NFL defensive coordinator and head coach of Cleveland Browns (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Dion Sims, tight end for Chicago Bears (born in Detroit) * Dan Skuta, linebacker and fullback for San Francisco 49ers (born in Burton, Michigan, Burton) * Charlie Smith (Canton Bulldogs), Charlie Smith, tackle for Canton Bulldogs (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Mark Smolinski, running back for Baltimore Colts (1953–1983), Baltimore Colts and New York Jets (born in Rogers City, Michigan, Rogers City) * Jim Sorgi, quarterback for Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts (born in Fraser, Michigan, Fraser) * Joe Staley, offensive tackle for San Francisco 49ers (born in Rockford, Michigan, Rockford) * Drew Stanton, quarterback for Arizona Cardinals (born in Lansing, raised in Okemos, Michigan, Okemos) * Barry Stokes (American football), Barry Stokes, offensive lineman for NFL teams, including Detroit Lions (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Chester Taylor, running back for Chicago Bears (born in River Rouge, Michigan, River Rouge) * Devin Thomas, wide receiver for Chicago Bears (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Tom Tracy, halfback for 1957 Detroit Lions season, 1957 NFL champion Detroit Lions (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * Torell Troup, nose tackle for Buffalo Bills (born in Detroit) * Brad Van Pelt, linebacker for several NFL teams (born in Owosso, Michigan, Owosso) * Jared Veldheer, offensive tackle for Arizona Cardinals (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Kevin Vickerson, defensive tackle for Denver Broncos (born in Detroit) * Jim Wacker, head coach, North Dakota State Bison football, North Dakota State, Texas Christian University Horned Frogs football, TCU, Minnesota Golden Gophers football, Minnesota (born in Detroit) * Gabe Watson, defensive tackle for Arizona Cardinals (born in Detroit) * Khari Willis, safety for Indianapolis Colts (born in Jackson) * Dave Whitsell, defensive back for Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions (born in Shelby Charter Township, Michigan, Shelby) * John Wojciechowski, Offensive tackle for the Chicago bears (born in Warren) went to Fitzgerald High school * LaMarr Woodley, linebacker for Arizona Cardinals (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Roger Zatkoff, linebacker for
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
, Detroit Lions (born in
Hamtramck Hamtramck ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, 2020 census, the city population was 28,433. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small po ...
) * Frank Zombo, linebacker for Kansas City Chiefs,
Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...
(born in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Sterling Heights)


Golf

* John Barnum, 3-time PGA Seniors' Championship winner (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Ryan Brehm, 3-time NCAA champion (born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Mt. Pleasant) * Walter Burkemo, winner of 1953 PGA Championship (born in Detroit) * Donna Caponi, LPGA Tour player, 24-time winner, member of World Golf Hall of Fame (born in Detroit) * Elaine Crosby, LPGA Tour player (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * Leo Diegel, two-time PGA Championship winner (born in Gratiot Township, Michigan, Gratiot Township) * Mike Donald, PGA Tour player, 1990 U.S. Open runner-up (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Randy Erskine, 5-time Michigan Open champion (raised in
Battle Creek Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encom ...
) * Cindy Figg-Currier, LPGA Tour golfer (born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Mt. Pleasant) * Walter Hagen, iconic golfer, 45-time winner, World Golf Hall of Fame (lived and died in Traverse City, Michigan, Traverse City) * Cindy Hill, U.S. Amateur champion and LPGA Tour player (born in South Haven, Michigan, South Haven) * Dave Hill (golfer), Dave Hill, 13-time PGA Tour winner (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Mike Hill (golfer), Mike Hill, 18-time PGA Senior Tour winner (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Lon Hinkle, PGA Tour player (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Meg Mallon, LPGA player, 2017 inductee in World Golf Hall of Fame (attended high school in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Farmington Hills) * Debbie Massey, LPGA player, 2-time Women's British Open champion (born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Grosse Pointe) * Calvin Peete, PGA Tour player, 12-time winner, member of Ryder Cup team (born in Detroit) * Dan Pohl, PGA Tour player, 1982 Masters runner-up (born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Mt. Pleasant) * Kelly Robbins, LPGA Tour player, 1995 Women's PGA Championship winner (born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Mt. Pleasant) * Jennifer Song, LPGA Tour player, U.S. Women's Amateur champion (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Brian Stuard, PGA Tour player (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Kris Tamulis, LPGA Tour player (born in Lapeer, Michigan, Lapeer) * Tom Wargo, PGA Tour player (born in Marlette, Michigan, Marlette) * Al Watrous, PGA Tour player and club pro (born in Yonkers, New York, moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills)


Ice hockey

* Justin Abdelkader, forward for NHL's Detroit Red Wings (born in
Muskegon Muskegon ( ') is a city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Muskegon County. Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, pleasure boating, and as a commercial and cruise ship port. It is a popular vacation destination because of the expan ...
) * Taffy Abel, member and flag-bearer of 1924 Winter Olympics team, NHL player (born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie) * Jason Bacashihua, goalie for St. Louis Blues (born in Garden City, Michigan, Garden City) * Jim Ballantine (ice hockey), Jim Ballantine, center for several NHL teams (born in Union Lake, Michigan, Union Lake) * Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings (born in Detroit, raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie) * David Booth (ice hockey), David Booth, winger for Florida Panthers (born in Washington, Michigan, Washington) * Dan Bylsma, NHL forward and head coach of Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres (born in
Grand Haven Grand Haven is a city within the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand H ...
) * Jimmy Carson, player for several NHL teams (born in Southfield) * Shawn Chambers, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in
Royal Oak The Royal Oak is the English oak tree within which the future King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The tree was in Boscobel Wood, which was part of the park of Boscobel House. C ...
) * Chris Conner, hockey player for Washington Capitals (born in Westland, Michigan, Westland) * Jim Cummins (ice hockey), Jim Cummins, player for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn) * Danny DeKeyser, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings (born in Macomb Township, Michigan, Macomb) * Tim Gleason, defenseman for Carolina Hurricanes (from Clawson, Michigan, Clawson) * Luke Glendening, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Andy Greene, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in Trenton) * Matt Greene, defenseman for Los Angeles Kings (born in Grand Ledge, Michigan, Grand Ledge) * Adam Hall, defenseman for New York Rangers (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Derian Hatcher, defenseman for Philadelphia Flyers (born in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Sterling Heights) * Al Iafrate, defenseman for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn) * Ryan Kesler, player for Anaheim Ducks and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Nate Kiser, ECHL player for South Carolina Stingrays (born in Southgate, Michigan, Southgate) * Mike Knuble, NHL forward (from Kentwood, Michigan, Kentwood) * Torey Krug, player for Boston Bruins (born in
Royal Oak The Royal Oak is the English oak tree within which the future King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The tree was in Boscobel Wood, which was part of the park of Boscobel House. C ...
) * Pat LaFontaine, center for New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabers, New York Rangers and 1984 U.S. Olympic team (from
Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...
) * Chad LaRose, player for Carolina Hurricanes (born in Fraser, Michigan, Fraser) * Dylan Larkin, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in Waterford Township, Michigan, Waterford) * Alec Martinez, player and two-time Stanley Cup champion for Los Angeles Kings (born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) * Andrew Miller (ice hockey), Andrew Miller, player for Edmonton Oilers and 2013 NCAA champion Yale University, Yale (born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills) * Ryan Miller (ice hockey), Ryan Miller, goaltender for Vancouver Canucks and in 2010 Winter Olympics, 2010 Olympics (born in East Lansing, Michigan, East Lansing) * Mike Modano, player for Dallas Stars, inductee in Hockey Hall of Fame (born in Westland, Michigan, Westland) * Ken Morrow, defenseman for New York Islanders and Miracle on Ice gold medal team at 1980 Winter Olympics, 1980 Olympics (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * David Moss (ice hockey), David Moss, hockey player for Arizona Coyotes (born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Tyler Motte, hockey player for Vancouver Canucks (born in St. Clair, Michigan, St. Clair) * Lee Norwood, defenseman for several NHL teams including the Detroit Red Wings (raised in Trenton) * Aaron Palushaj, hockey player (born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Craig Patrick, Hall of Fame center, coach and general manager (born in Detroit) * Jeff Petry, defenseman for Montreal Canadiens (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Brian Rafalski, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings and 2002, 2004 and 2006 Olympic teams (born in Dearborn) * Brian Rolston, player for several NHL teams and in 2002 Olympics (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Brian Rust, winner of Stanley Cup, forward for NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins (born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Chris Tancill, hockey player (born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Matt Taormina, player for New Jersey Devils (born in Warren, Michigan, Warren) * Tim Thomas (ice hockey, born 1974), Tim Thomas, goaltender for 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, 2011 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * John Vanbiesbrouck, goaltender for several NHL teams in the 1980s and 1990s (born in Detroit) * Don Waddell, defenseman, general manager of Atlanta Thrashers (born in Detroit) * Doug Weight, 2002 Olympics team silver medalist and winner of Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes (born in Warren, Michigan, Warren) * James Wisniewski, player for Anaheim Ducks (born in Canton, Michigan, Canton) * Mike York, forward for New York Islanders and silver-medalist United States men's national ice hockey team, Team USA in 2002 Winter Olympics (born in
Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...
) * John Ziegler (sports administrator), John Ziegler, NHL President from 1977 to 1992 (born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Grosse Pointe) * Jason Zucker, left wing for Minnesota Wild (lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor)


Motorcycle racing

* Leo Anthony, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, dirt-bike champion of the 1930s and 1940s (born in
Port Huron Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately. Located along the St. Clair ...
) * Ernie Beckman, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time National American Motorcycle Association national winner in the 1950s (born in
Battle Creek Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encom ...
) * Ted Boody Jr., Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, winner of 8 dirt-track national competitions, top-ten ranking from 1981 to 1986 (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Doug Domokos, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 1970s–1980s stunt motorcyclist nicknamed "Wheelie King" whose wheelie of held record for 8 years (born in Niles, Michigan, Niles) * Randy Goss, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, two-time National Grand Champion (born in Hartland, Michigan, Hartland) * Mike Hartwig, winner of two AMA 500 cc national competitions, member of 1973 US Motocross des Nations team (born in Hadley, Michigan, Hadley) * Oscar Lenz, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, endurance motorcycle champion (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Scott Parker (motorcyclist), Scott Parker, nine-time AMA Grand National Champion, member of Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (from
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Dot Robinson, women's racing pioneer, co-founder of Motor Maids, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Australia; settled in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw) * Earl Robinson, endurance motorcycle champion, husband of Dot Robinson, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in
Saginaw Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...
) * Dal Smilie, American Motorcycle Association director for 35 years, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Battle Creek) * Jay Springsteen, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time AMA Grand National Champion (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Jeff Stanton, 6-time AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Coldwater, Michigan, Coldwater)


Olympics

* Avery Brundage, International Olympic Committee president 1952–72 (born in Detroit) * Richard Callaghan, Olympic figure skating coach (lives in Detroit) * Henry Carr, double gold medalist in Track and field, track at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Rex Cawley, gold medalist in 400 meter hurdles at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Farmington, Michigan, Farmington) * Ralph Craig, gold medalist in 100 and 200 sprints at Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games (born in Detroit) * Jim Cristy, swimmer, bronze medalist in Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics 1,500-meter freestyle (born in Detroit) * Edward Crook Jr., gold medalist in middleweight boxing at Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Richard Dalley, figure skater, fifth place in ice dancing at Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics (born in Detroit) * Meryl Davis, gold medalist in ice dancing at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (from West Bloomfield, Michigan, West Bloomfield) * Dick Degener, gold medalist in diving at Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * Brian Diemer, bronze medalist in steeplechase (athletics), steeplechase at Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Olympics (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Andre Dirrell, middleweight boxing bronze medalist at Athens 2004 Olympics (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
) * Ken Doherty (track and field), Ken Doherty, decathlon bronze medalist in 1928 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Jeff Farrell, swimmer, two-time gold medalist at Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Carol Fox (figure skater), Carol Fox, figure skater, fifth place in ice dancing at Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics (born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ypsilanti) * Steve Fraser, gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Olympics (born in Hazel Park, Michigan, Hazel Park) * Cynthia Goyette, swimmer, gold medalist in Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Alex Izykowski, speed skater, bronze medalist in 5,000 meter relay at Turin 2006 Olympics (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Hayes Jones, gold medalist in 110-meter hurdles at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Starkville, Mississippi; raised in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Micki King, diver, Olympic gold medalist and 10-time national champion (born in
Pontiac Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality ** Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic D ...
) * Karch Kiraly, volleyball player, three-time Olympic gold medalist, only person to win Olympic gold in both indoor volleyball (at both Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Olympics and Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics, 1988 Olympics) and in beach volleyball (at 1996 Atlanta Olympics) (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Shelley Looney, member of gold medal-winning women's hockey team at Nagano 1998 Olympics (born in Trenton) * Steve McCrory, gold medalist in flyweight boxing at Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Olympics (born in Detroit) * Art McKinlay, rowing, silver medalist at Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * John McKinlay (rower), John McKinlay, rowing, two-time Olympian, silver medalist at 1956 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Carly Piper, swimmer, member of gold medal-winning U.S. women's 4x200 freestyle relay at Athens 2004 Summer Olympics (born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Grosse Pointe) * William Porter (athlete), William Porter, Olympic gold medalist in 110 meter hurdles at London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Essex Township, Michigan, Essex Township) * Dathan Ritzenhein, marathon qualifier for 2008 Beijing Olympics (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Norbert Schemansky, only weightlifter to win four Olympic medals — 1948 silver; 1952 gold; 1960 bronze; and 1964 bronze—and 3-time world champion (born in Detroit; lived in Dearborn) * Allison Schmitt, swimmer, four-time Olympian and eight-time Olympic medalist (raised in Canton, Michigan, Canton)Mercedes, Mejia; White, Jennifer (August 15, 2012)
"Olympic gold medalist Allison Schmitt happy to be home in Canton"
''Michigan Radio''. Retrieved July 23, 2021. * Clark Scholes, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist in 100 meter freestyle at Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Jackson Scholz, athlete, Olympic gold medalist in track and field in 1920 and 1924 (born in Buchanan, Michigan, Buchanan) * Sheila Taormina, four-time Olympian in three sports (swimming, triathlon, modern pentathlon), gold medalist in 1996 Atlanta Olympics swim relay (born in
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
) * Lindsay Tarpley, soccer player, member of gold-medal Athens 2004 Summer Olympics team (was attending Western Michigan University, Western Michigan) (born in Madison, Wisconsin, raised in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Gary Tobian, diver, Olympic gold and two-time silver medalist (born in Detroit) * Eddie Tolan, double Olympic gold medalist in track in 100 and 200 meter sprint at Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics, first black athlete to win two Olympic golds (born in Denver, Colorado; raised in Detroit) * Peter Vanderkaay, swimmer, member of gold medal-winning US men's 4x200 freestyle relay at Athens 2004 Summer Olympics (born in
Rochester Rochester may refer to: Places Australia * Rochester, Victoria Canada * Rochester, Alberta United Kingdom *Rochester, Kent ** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area ** History of Rochester, Kent ** HM Prison ...
) * Quincy Watts, track-and-field gold medalist at Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Mark Wells, member of Miracle on Ice gold medal hockey team at Lake Placid, New York, Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics, 1980 Olympics (born in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Saint Claire Shores) * Charlie White (figure skater), Charlie White, ice dancer, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics gold medalist (born in Royal Oak) * Sharon Wichman, swimmer, Mexico City 1968 Summer Olympics gold medalist, 200 breaststroke (born in Detroit) * Jordyn Wieber, artistic gymnast at London 2012 Summer Olympics (born in DeWitt) * Margaret Woodbridge, swimmer, gold medalist at Antwerp 1920 Olympic Games (born in Detroit) * Lorenzo Wright, gold medalist in 440-meter relay at London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit) * Wendy Wyland, bronze medalist in platform diving at Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics, 1984 Olympics (born in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Sheila Young, skater, first American to win three medals in winter games—bronze, silver, gold—at 1976 Winter Olympics, 1976 Olympics (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
)


Professional wrestling

* Eric Bischoff, promoter and former World Championship Wrestling president (born in Detroit) * Monty Brown, professional wrestler, originally a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Bridgeport, Michigan, Bridgeport) * Ed Farhat (aka The Original Sheik), professional wrestler (born in
Lansing Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, makin ...
) * Jimmy Jacobs (Chris Scoville) professional wrestler (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Kevin Nash, professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Terry Gerin, Rhino (Terry Gerin), professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Bob Roop, Greco-Roman wrestling participant at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics, turned pro as "The Gladiator" and "The Enforcer" (born in Blacksburg, Virginia; raised in East Lansing, Michigan, East Lansing) * Chris Sabin (aka Josh Harter), professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Terry Brunk, Sabu (Terry Brunk), professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Dan Severn, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler (born in Coldwater, Michigan, Coldwater) * Alex Shelley, professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus), professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Lou Thesz, professional wrestling pioneer and champion (born in Banat) * George Steele, George "The Animal" Steele, professional wrestler (born in Detroit) * Rick Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Scott Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City, Michigan, Bay City) * Rob Van Dam, professional wrestler (born in
Battle Creek Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which encom ...
) * Sosay (Jennifer E. Kaiser), professional wrestler (born in Plainwell, Michigan)


Soccer

*Jordan Gruber (born 1983), American-Israeli soccer player * Alexi Lalas, US National Soccer Hall of Fame player, general manager of Los Angeles Galaxy (born in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West ...
) * Kate Markgraf, NCAA, World Cup and two-time Olympic champion soccer player (born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills)


Tennis

* Jane Bartkowicz, Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz, tennis player, U.S. Open quarter-finalist (born in
Hamtramck Hamtramck ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, 2020 census, the city population was 28,433. Hamtramck is surrounded by the city of Detroit except for a small po ...
) * Lisa Bonder, tennis player, ranked as high as 9th in the world (born in Beverly Hills, California, raised in Saline, Michigan, Saline) * Luke Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Grayling, Michigan, Grayling) * Murphy Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Ludington, Michigan, Ludington) * Mark Jaffe, tennis player, member of 1957 NCAA Michigan Team Championship, inducted into the Bay City Hall of Fame, born in Bay City * Fred Kovaleski, tennis player. Member of 2 NCAA Championships at William and Mary, grew up in Hamtramck * Aaron Krickstein, tennis player, ranked as high as 6th in world (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Todd Martin, tennis player, US Open and Australian Open finalist, ranked as high as #4 in the world (born in Hinsdale, Illinois, raised in East Lansing, Michigan, East Lansing) * Susan Mascarin, tennis player, winner of girls' singles at 1980 US Open (born in Grosse Pointe Shores) * Michael Russell (tennis), Michael Russell, tennis player (born in Detroit) * Serena Williams, tennis player, winner of dozens of Grand Slam titles, including 23 in singles; world's No. 1 ranking; winner of four Olympic gold medals (born in Saginaw, Michigan, Saginaw)


Other sports

* Scott Baker (autoracer), Scott Baker, auto racer (born in
Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...
) * Tom Bambard, NASCAR driver (born in South Lyon, Michigan, South Lyon) * Johnny Benson Jr., NASCAR driver (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Pam Bristol Brady, Triple Crown-winning badminton player (born in
Flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Flint was widely used historically to make stone tools and start fir ...
; moved to Grand Blanc) * Becky Breisch, 2005 USA Outdoors discus throw champion and 8-time NCAA All-American (born in Edwardsburg, Michigan, Edwardsburg) * Bob Burman, auto racer, drove in first Indianapolis 500 (born in
Imlay City Imlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,585 at the 2020 census. History Imlay City was founded on April 1, 1850 by Charles Palmer, the chief engineer of the Port Huro ...
) * Allie Dragoo, professional cyclist, USA Cycling, Cervelo Pro Cycling (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Frances Dodge, horsewoman, thoroughbred breeder and owner (born in Detroit) * Tim Fedewa, NASCAR driver and spotter (born in Holt, Michigan, Holt) * Gordon Johncock, auto racer, two-time winner of Indianapolis 500 (born in Coldwater, Michigan, Coldwater) * Erik Jones, NASCAR driver, 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion (born in Byron, Michigan, Byron) * Jessica Joseph, ice dancer, silver and bronze medalist in 1998 and 2001 US Championships, respectively (born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bloomfield Hills) * Connie Kalitta, drag racer, first driver to hit at a NHRA sanctioned event in top fuel dragster (grew up in
Mount Clemens Mount Clemens is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 16,314 at the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Macomb County. History Mount Clemens was first surveyed in 1795 after the American Revolutionary War by Christia ...
) * Doug Kalitta, auto racer, 1994 United States Automobile Club, USAC National Sprint Car champion (born in Ypsilanti) * Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver with 34 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion (born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Rochester Hills) * Byron Krieger (1920–2015), Olympic fencer * Julie Krone, jockey, first woman to win Belmont Stakes, all-time leading female rider in victories (born in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) * Iris Kyle, 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder (born in
Benton Harbor Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
) * Marion Ladewig, nine-time Bowler of the Year from 1950 to 1963, Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Harry Melling (NASCAR), Harry Melling, owner of Melling Automotive, NASCAR championship team owner of Melling Racing (lived in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Greg Meyer, distance runner, winner of 1983 Boston Marathon (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Bill Muncey, hydroplane racing champion (born in Detroit) * Lenda Murray, IFBB professional bodybuilder, multiple Ms. Olympia winner (born in Detroit) * Colette Nelson, IFBB professional bodybuilder (born in Southfield) * Benny Parsons, NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, TV commentator (lived in Detroit) * U. E. Patrick, aka "Pat" Patrick, co-founder of CART Indy car series, owner of Indy 500 winning Patrick Racing (resides in
Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Q ...
) * Ken Read, Alpine skier, first North American to win an Alpine skiing World Cup downhill skiing event, in 1975 for Canada (born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ann Arbor) * Isabel Dodge Sloane, owned Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, Belmont champion horses (born in Detroit) * Herbert J. Thompson, thoroughbred trainer, 4-time Kentucky Derby winner (born in Detroit) * Allen Tolmich, hurdler, world record setter, 4-time Amateur Athletic Union, AAU national champion (born in Detroit) * Kevin VanDam, professional bass angler, author of guide ''Secrets of a Champion'', 2002 ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year (born in
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. At the 2010 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 74,262. Kalamazoo is the major city of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolit ...
) * Dave Walsh (gamer), Dave Walsh, gamer (born in
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
) * Ken Westerfield, a Frisbee flying disc pioneer (born in Detroit) * Bill Winfrey, trainer of Native Dancer, member of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Racing Hall of Fame (born in Detroit) * Garfield Wood, boat builder, 5-time APBA Gold Cup, Gold Cup hydroplane champion (born in Iowa, moved to Detroit)


References and further reading

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Notes

{{reflist Lists of people from Michigan, Sports Sportspeople from Michigan, Michigan sports-related lists, Figures