Legendary baseball manager Sparky Anderson has passed away at age 83 due to complications of demetia. Anderson was the first manager to win a World Series in both leagues (Detroit Tigers 1984, Cincinnati Reds 1975 & 1976). As a Detroit girl and Tigers fan this was very sad. As I was looking through YouTube, I found this PSA announcement from the 80s that sums up Sparky’s persona.
Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch will now be a triple threat in the sports owners’ world as he adds owner of the Detroit Pistons to his resume. Ilitch secured an exclusive 30-day agreement to purchase the team and Palace Entertainment, that could be completed before the start of the NBA season. Ilitch’s bid to buy the team is reportedly worth $400 million and includes the purchase of Palace Entertainment.
Illitch’s purchase of the Pistons would not only make him a dominant force in the sporting world but also in entertainment. Illitch owns Olympia Entertainment, which includes such facilities as: Fox Theatre and Cobo Arena.
While the Pistons currently play at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Ilitch has not made it a secret that he wants to move the team back to Detroit. The Pistons left the city in the 1970′s, and the Detroit Red Wings are also looking for a new arena. Detroit Mayor Daive Bing hopes they return, “We continue to be excited about the possibility of the Detroit Pistons returning to Detroit, which is nationally recognized as a destination for professional sports. The deal is not done, but we remain optimistic.” Bing is also a former NBA player.
Ilitch first expressed interest in purchasing the Pistons back in early August when current owner Karen Davidson reviled that the selling of the team meant there was no guarantee the team would be staying in Michigan. Karen took over ownership of the team when her late husband Bill Davidson died in March 2009.
Bill Davidson and Mike Ilitch had an ongoing rivalry as business leaders in Detroit. In June, The Palace filed a lawsuit accusing Ilitch Holdings of taking employees and proprietary information.
A fan at last night’s Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers game caught a foul ball while holding a baby. What will probably get him in trouble with from his wife, it was great for the SportsCenter highlights. The Indians beat the Tigers 4-0, although the game didn’t mean much to either team, who are 13 and 25 games back respectively. Still, it’ll make a great story for when the kid is older at how his dad sacrificed his life for a foul ball.
Our friends over at Sports Illustrated’s blog Extra Mustard posted this video from my hometown of the Opera Singing Hot Dog Vendor. He is an either love ‘em or hate ‘em staple at all Detroit Tigers games. Charley Marcuse has been a hot dog vendor since 1999 and has now created his own mustard. Charley’s Ballpark Mustard and can be found a local Detroit-area stores. For a store near you click here!
Jersey Chaser of the Month: Samantha Steele- December 2012
ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele is engaged to Minnesota Viking QB Christian Ponder earning her the honor of December 2012 Jersey Chaser of the Month. Share It