Walter Owens

Walter Owens (1933–2020) was a right-handed pitcher and outfielder who played in Negro league baseball. Born in Cleveland, he grew up in Detroit, excelling in high school baseball before earning a scholarship to Western Michigan University (WMU), where he excelled in basketball and track. During college summers, he played for the Detroit Stars under an alias to maintain amateur eligibility.

Owens faced legendary pitcher Satchel Paige during his Negro League stints. Despite being a reliable pitcher, advice from Turkey Stearns led him to prioritize education over professional baseball. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees, he declined an offer from the Indianapolis Clowns and pursued teaching. He became Northwestern High School's baseball coach, earning respect as a mentor to future MLB stars Willie Horton and Alex Johnson.

Over 54 years coaching, Owens achieved numerous successes, including three high school baseball championships and four National Amateur titles. He integrated Detroit baseball in 1957 by joining the all-white Detroit Pepsi-Cola team. In 2008, Major League Baseball honored him with a special draft tribute, selecting him with the Chicago Cubs.

In 2011, Owens received the E.B. Henderson Award for his contributions to community and racial equality. A dedicated coach and educator, he remained active until a stroke sidelined him at age 76.