Walter Briggs, Sr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Owen Briggs, Sr. (February 27, 1877 – January 17, 1952) was an American entrepreneur and professional sports owner. He was owner of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball from 1935 to 1952.
Briggs was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and grew up a Detroit Tigers fan. In his early youth he worked at the Michigan Central Railroad and later opened Briggs Manufacturing Company in 1908, which specialized in the manufacturing of automobile bodies for the auto industry. Briggs sought ownership of Frank Navin's Tigers with two separate 25% share purchases of the baseball club. After Navin died in 1935, Briggs became the sole owner of the franchise.[1]
As owner, among Briggs' first actions was completing major renovation and expansion plans to Navin Field, which was to be enclosed with the addition of a double deck. Upon its re-opening in 1938, it was renamed Briggs Stadium and had a seating capacity of over 50,000.[2] Briggs was noted for fielding a well-paid team that won two American League pennants (1940, 1945) and a World Series championship in 1945 under his ownership.[3]
Briggs died at age 74 in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1952. His son, Walter Briggs, Jr., became the new owner of the Detroit Tigers.
