Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Tigers, has passed away at age 87.
Mike Ilitch’s legacy shouldn’t be defined by World Series failure
In Saturday’s Say Hey, Baseball, we reflect on the passing of Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, consider the future of the Marlins, and meet another former NFLer trying to make it in baseball.
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
In addition to owning the 116-year-old franchise, Ilitch is best known as the founder and owner of the Little Caesars chain of pizza restaurants, which turned him into a billionaire (after being started for just $10,000), and as the owner of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. That’s a very diverse portfolio right there, especially considering that in his earlier life, he played minor league baseball and spent time in the Marines.
Former Tigers manager Jim Leyland had several poignant, emotional things to say about Ilitch. Leyland called Ilitch a “manager’s dream,” telling CBS Detroit, “he never fell short of doing everything he could to put the best product on the field ... When he hired me, he let me do my job; he never interfered.”
Leyland was “crushed” by Ilitch’s passing and “brokenhearted” that they were never able to get him that elusive World Series ring. To MLB Network Radio, Leyland said, “Everyone wanted that World Championship for one reason, and that was to give it to Mike Ilitch.”
The Tigers did indeed get close to baseball’s ultimate goal a few times during Ilitch’s 25 years as owner, but they never managed to fully scale that mountain. Despite this one regret, Ilitch’s tenure shouldn’t be looked at with sadness. The franchise opened its first new ballpark in more than 80 years in 2000, when Comerica Park replaced the aging Tiger Field. Ilitch never forgot his humble roots and invested money back into the community, including the purchase and restoration of the historic Fox Theater.
Plus, Ilitch was willing to spend big money to make the team better, and — surprise! — that led to a better team. As Kurt Mensching pointed out at Bless You Boys, from 2006 on, the team was in a golden era. Since then, Detroit has made the playoffs five times, reaching the Division Series once, the Championship Series twice, and the World Series twice. No, he never made it to the very top with the Tigers, but his legacy shouldn’t be defined by the only thing he didn’t do.
- Just because Jeffrey Loria will be doing literally everyone a favor by leaving baseball ownership doesn’t mean the Marlins will be the next big-market success. Unfortunately.
- To celebrate and pay tribute to the memory of Jose Fernandez, the Marlins will wear No. 16 patches over their hearts this season.
- But in less pleasant Jose Fernandez news, his estate is being sued by families of the two men who died with him in that horrific boat crash in September.
- Sanders Commings is a former NFL player who is trying his hand at baseball, and he has a real chance of succeeding, unlike another former NFLer who has tried to transition to baseball. I think you know who I’m talking about.
- Trevor Bauer complained about “liberal bias” and then went on a ridiculous 135 tweet rant in which he called himself “the most scientific player in baseball.” OK, drone boy.
- The Royals may not be known for hitting home runs, but this season they have a chance of hitting more than a few.
- There’s more to baseball than just talent. It helps to be almost delusionally positive, as South Side Sox points out.
- Spring training hasn’t even started yet, so perhaps we should all temper our excitement about slimmed-down Pablo Sandoval.
- There is a trailer for Bartolo Colon. A trailer. For Bartolo Colon. I’m not sure why you’re not watching it this very second instead of reading this. Go!
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