James D. Burns (born July 28, 1865) was an American businessman, sheriff, delegate, and owner of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball.
Born in Springwells, Michigan, which was located outside Detroit city limits, Burns operated a Detroit brick manufacturing plant. In 1901, he became the first owner and president of the American League's Detroit Tigers, which had formally been a member of the Western League. The team continued to play at Bennett Park except on Sundays, when Detroit's blue laws forbade the team from playing there; Burns Park in Springwells served as the Tigers' Sunday home ball park. The Tigers had a 74-61 win-loss record after the first season and Burns sold his interest in the team to Samuel F. Angus.
Burns was elected sheriff of Wayne County and served a four year term. He also served three times as delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Michigan, in 1908, 1912, and 1916. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. James Denis (Jimmy) Burns was born July 28, 1865 in Springwells Township, Wayne County. He was the sixth of eight children born to Peter and Hanorah (O'Callaghan) Burns. He died on January 2, 1928 at Grace Hospital, Detroit. His wife Miss Catherine Elizabeth Walsh of Rives Junction in Jackson County, are both interred in the Walsh Family plot in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. Jimmy was educated at schools in Springwells and Detroit and later joined his brothers and father in the family brick business. Before he was twenty years old, Jimmy established his reputation as a boxer and wrestler by claiming the state amateur championship as a middleweight in both events. Jim never competed professionally, he was influential in starting two future boxing champions on the road to success. Tommy Ryan,who held the world welterweight title (1884 - 1898) and the world middleweight title (1898–1906). Ontario native Noah Brusso was world heavyweight champion from 1906 to 1908. Noah fought under the name "Tommy Burns" in honor of his friend and sponsor. Jimmy along with co-owner George Stallings purchased the team in 1901 for $ 12,000. The club was sold in 1902 for $ 20,000. Jimmy started the " The Burns and Campbell" sports bar on Michigan Ave and later owned the "Metropole Restaurant and Grill" on Griswold Street. Jimmy's mother and father Peter and Hanorah Burns are buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 8850 Dix Street, Detroit under the family Burns large marker in section B. Jimmy and Catherine had six children but only two survived beyond infancy. Son James Anthony made his mark as a Michigan State Senator, and on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. Son Francis Leo joined the Congregation of St. Basil priests, and as such helped found Catholic Central High school in Detroit, Michigan. There is a street in Detroit named Honorah street which is named after James Denis mother. This street formed part of the boundary of the original property given to Owen Burns, the grandfather of James D. Burns.
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