Mike Ilitch(Tigers, Red Wings owner and Little Caesar's founder) has died

 
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PostPosted: 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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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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PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:10 pm    Post subject:

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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PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:54 pm    Post subject:

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.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:20 am    Post subject:

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.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:01 am    Post subject:

Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:41 pm    Post subject:

I love Little Casaers (unlike others apparently lol,) this is so sad.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:22 pm    Post subject:

Tombstone was always better than Little Caesars
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:27 pm    Post subject:

DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:35 pm    Post subject:

ChickenStu wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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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PostPosted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:59 pm    Post subject:

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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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:31 am    Post subject:

ChickenStu wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:21 am    Post subject:

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.
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:25 am    Post subject:

DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule?
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:35 am    Post subject:

non-player zealot wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule?


I didn't have the right sauces.
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 11:24 pm    Post subject:

DaMuleRules wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


You didn't know he gave out free dough, did'ja, Mule?


I didn't have the right sauces.


What a cheesy response.
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:53 am    Post subject:

rwongega wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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.
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:48 am    Post subject:

DaMuleRules wrote:
rwongega wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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.
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:42 pm    Post subject:

Little Caesars will always have a place in my stomach. That and Red Baron were THE pizza of my childhood
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 1:11 pm    Post subject:

rwongega wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
rwongega wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
non-player zealot wrote:
DaMuleRules wrote:
Little Caesars founder quietly paid Rosa Parks' rent for years.


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.
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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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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:11 pm    Post subject:

Costco pizza ftw.
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