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Basketball Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24744
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:52 pm Post subject: Mike Ilitch(Tigers, Red Wings owner and Little Caesar's founder) has died |
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https://t.co/uf6O8EYYyQ
Quote: | Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch Passes Away
Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has passed away at 87 years of age, Bill Shea of Crain’s Detroit Business reports on Twitter. MLBTR extends its condolences to his family and friends, as well as the entire Tigers organization.
In a press release, his son Christopher — who is the president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. — called his father “a once-in-a-generation entrepreneur, visionary and leader.” A son of Macedonian immigrants, the elder Ilitch was born and raised in Detroit. He went on to own two of the city’s iconic sports franchises, the Tigers and the Red Wings of the NHL.
Ilitch spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school, and then joined the Tigers as an infielder. He ended up playing four seasons of minor-league ball before hanging up his spikes at 25 years of age. From there, according to the release, Ilitch worked as a door-to-door salesman to fund the opening of a pizza joint — the first Little Caesars.
After growing that small business into a massive, multi-national corporation, Ilitch expanded his business holdings. He bought the Red Wings in 1982, overseeing a golden era for that franchise, and took control of the Tigers in 1992.
While the hockey glories never quite carried over into the baseball arena, it wasn’t for lack of trying. Ilitch’s initial period of ownership was notable mostly for the Tigers’ poor play, but things began to turn around after he developed Comerica Park in a public-private partnership in advance of the 2000 season.
The tide broke in 2006, when the Tigers finally reached the postseason for the first time since 1987, advancing to the World Series (where they lost to the Cardinals). Detroit posted winning campaigns in eight of the next eleven seasons, returning to the playoffs four more times. The club made it to the Fall Classic once more in 2012, but again came up short.
Over his later years, Ilitch spared no expense to put a quality product on the field. The Tigers routinely placed among the game’s biggest spenders in player salaries, committing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to acquire and retain star-level talent.
Looking ahead for the Tigers organization, it seems that Christopher Ilitch will largely step into his father’s shoes. While there are indications that the club will look to streamline its finances, the younger Ilitch has expressed a similar passion for fielding a winning team. |
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ChickenStu Retired Number
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31789 Location: Anaheim, CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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A truly great sports owner. The Red Wings were a dynasty under him, and only recently have they finally started to fade a little bit (it looks like their playoff streak has a good chance to come to an end, finally, this season). And as for the Tigers, moving the ballpark downtown has been a big success, and he really did spare no expense to try to win a World Series.
I didn't realize he served in the military, and also didn't know that he was a former minor league player. Quite a life. RIP, Mr. Ilitch. |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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ChickenStu wrote: | A truly great sports owner. The Red Wings were a dynasty under him, and only recently have they finally started to fade a little bit (it looks like their playoff streak has a good chance to come to an end, finally, this season). And as for the Tigers, moving the ballpark downtown has been a big success, and he really did spare no expense to try to win a World Series.
I didn't realize he served in the military, and also didn't know that he was a former minor league player. Quite a life. RIP, Mr. Ilitch. |
Sounds like a great guy. Too bad he massacred the "pizza pizza" part (which is hard to do).
But now that I've expressed my inappropriate humor. RIP. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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audioaxes Franchise Player
Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 12573
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:20 am Post subject: |
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I cant stomach them but those $5 hot and ready pizzas that Little Caesars started singe handily changed the pizza industry... Forced everybody else to come down in price to compete. _________________ (bleep) Kawhi |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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Fan0Bynum17 Franchise Player
Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 15436
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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I love Little Casaers (unlike others apparently lol,) this is so sad. |
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Huey Lewis & The News Star Player
Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Posts: 5234 Location: So what's the uh...topic of discussion?
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ChickenStu Retired Number
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31789 Location: Anaheim, CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah I just saw this. I like not only the generosity, but that he did it without any fanfare whatsoever. He was in a position to help, and he thought it was the right thing to do. Bravo. |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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ChickenStu wrote: |
Yeah I just saw this. I like not only the generosity, but that he did it without any fanfare whatsoever. He was in a position to help, and he thought it was the right thing to do. Bravo. |
_________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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Basketball Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24744
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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Huey Lewis & The News wrote: | Tombstone was always better than Little Caesars |
Yes it is I wish it wasn't so pricey around these parts.
I haven't had Little Caesar's in years though. |
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Lowest Merion Retired
Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 10720
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:31 am Post subject: |
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ChickenStu wrote: |
Yeah I just saw this. I like not only the generosity, but that he did it without any fanfare whatsoever. He was in a position to help, and he thought it was the right thing to do. Bravo. |
Agreed, Chick. And thanks for posting the link to the article, DMR. I knew he was a great sports owner, but had no idea about the Rosa Parks connection. |
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non-player zealot Franchise Player
Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:21 am Post subject: |
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Huey Lewis & The News wrote: | Tombstone was always better than Little Caesars |
Did he get cold during delivery to the mortuary, that's the question. _________________ GOAT MAGIC REEL
SEDALE TRIBUTE
EDDIE DONX! |
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non-player zealot Franchise Player
Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:35 am Post subject: |
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non-player zealot wrote: |
You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule? |
I didn't have the right sauces. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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rwongega Franchise Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 20510 Location: UCLA -> NY
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:53 am Post subject: |
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rwongega wrote: | DaMuleRules wrote: | non-player zealot wrote: |
You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule? |
I didn't have the right sauces. |
What a cheesy response. |
Well that was hardly a deep dish. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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rwongega Franchise Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 20510 Location: UCLA -> NY
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Gellollo Star Player
Joined: 17 Jul 2008 Posts: 1551
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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Little Caesars will always have a place in my stomach. That and Red Baron were THE pizza of my childhood |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52624 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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rwongega wrote: | DaMuleRules wrote: | rwongega wrote: | DaMuleRules wrote: | non-player zealot wrote: |
You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule? |
I didn't have the right sauces. |
What a cheesy response. |
Well that was hardly a deep dish. |
There's no need to be crusty. |
That's just the way you slice it. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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Hammett Star Player
Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 9310
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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Costco pizza ftw. _________________ Lakers. Built different. |
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