Walter Owen Briggs
Detroit Tigers
Owner (1935 - 1952)
Walter Owen Briggs
Detroit Tigers Owner (1935 – 1952)
Walter Briggs was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and grew up a Detroit Tigers fan. In his youth he worked at the Michigan Railroad and later opened Briggs Manufacturing Company specializing automobile bodies. In 1919 he was offered a 25% stake in the Tigers and was content to stay in the background while owner Frrank Navin was alive. When Navin died in 1935, Briggs took over full ownership of the Tigers. His first action after full ownership was to complete renovation and expansion plans to Navin Field. It re-opened in 1938 as Briggs Stadium with a seating capacity of 58,000. The Tigers were noted for fielding a well-paid team that won two American League pennants (1940, 1945) and a World Series (1945). Walter Briggs was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1969. He passed away on January 17, 1952 at 74 years of age.