07:27 AM
04/18/24
04/18/24
February 10, 2017
Mike Ilitch, owner of the Tigers and Red Wings, passes away at 87.:
As an owner, he was one of the few that legitimately seemed to put winning ahead of profiting as an owner. He had no problem spending money to help his teams get better.
There is so much more to him then sports but he was a owner that cared about his teams players, fans and the City of Detroit. RIP.
posted by ic23b at 09:57 PM on February 10, 2017
It's a shame the Tigers didn't win a World Series during his tenure as owner. Seems like that was the one he really wanted (not that the Stanley Cups weren't great, I'm sure).
posted by holden at 08:03 AM on February 13, 2017
Yep, 1984 was the other pizza guy.
posted by NoMich at 08:14 AM on February 13, 2017
Ilitch's admiration of Detroit also was put on display in 2009, when General Motors struggling under the threat of bankruptcy discontinued its sponsorship of the popular General Motors Fountain at Comerica Park. Instead of selling the space to other bidders, Ilitch gave the advertising spot to each of the area's car companies that season at no cost.