Senior remembers the days when the Negro League played here
Ben Jaros was a teenager when the Detroit Stars played their home games in Hamtramck.
By Ian Perrotta
Hamtramck Stadium may be a historic site now, but for local resident Ben Jaros it’s still a vivid memory.
Back in the 1930s – when the Detroit Stars played in Hamtramck – Jaros was a teenager living on Trowbridge. He turns 95 years old in September, and his memory is razor sharp.
“If you had a nickel in your pocket you felt rich,” he remembers of those Depression-era days. “I didn’t have two pennies.”
Fortunately for Jaros, he only needed Hamtramck local Andy Love to see the games. Love played for the Stars and lived on Dequindre near Caniff, and Jaros would often see Love walking down Campau toward the ballpark.
“I’d follow him to the stadium and he would let me hold his bat and glove,” says Jaros. “When we got to the gate, Andy would say ‘He’s with me!’ and I’d sneak right in.”
During those games, Jaros would watch Love play practically every position on the field. Being a Hamtramck High School graduate, Love was Jaros’ idol and his favorite player. But he wasn’t the only one Jaros remembers.
“Turkey Stearns – he could hit a ball a mile,” he says. “There was chicken wire over the right field fence, and Turkey hit it over once.”
Although those days are now long gone, Jaros still remembers them like yesterday. It’s as impressive as it sounds, but he shrugs it off with a casual nonchalance.
“I mean, with a name like Turkey – you can’t forget a name like Turkey,” he says.
4 Responses to Senior remembers the days when the Negro League played here
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Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown
August 22, 2012 at 10:46 am
I am Turkey Stearnes’ oldest daughter and I would like to meet this guy. It’s always a pleasure to talk to people who saw my dad play. My father stopped playing the year I was born so my sister and I never had the pleasure of seeing him play.
Phil Hill
May 3, 2019 at 8:43 pm
A very opening story,thank you forsharing. More people like you must share the love of the game and vivid memories,like yours, is priceless.
Ouma Edwards
August 4, 2020 at 11:26 am
Andy Love was my step father’s father. As a kid I remember hearing conversations between my step father and my biological grandfather about how great Andy Love was!…. This was a great article. I’d love to meet this man who carried Mr. Love’s bats and gloves… wow such an important and interesting part of our history!
Ouma Edwards
August 4, 2020 at 11:32 am
Andy Love was my step father’s father. As a kid, I remember hearing conversations between my stepfather(Kenneth Love) and my grandfather about how great Andy Love was! I’d love to meet this man who actually knew him and carried his bat & glove! Wow, what an interesting and important part of our history!