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Friday, 20 October, 2006 10:32 PM
GM
holds a pep rally for the Tigers in the RenCen
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
PAWS,
the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers was presented with the
key to the Renaissance Center.
General
Motors employees and Tigers fans came together to celebrate in the
Wintergarden of the Renaissance Center. There was former Tiger players,
Tigers memorabilia giveaways, free food and entertainment for everyone
to enjoy. The event took place on Friday afternoon, one day before
game one of the 2006 MLB World Series.
Brent Dewar of General
Motors, said "We’ve got an exciting rally here for the
Tigers as we head into the World Series. With our associates at
Chevrolet, the Tigers and Major League Baseball were proud to host
it right here in our own city."
The Wintergarden was
decorated to look like the Tigers den. The entire section of the
building resembled Comerica Park. The pep rally was hosted by WJR's
Frank Beckmann. Trivia questions were presented to the audience.
If an audience member answered correctly, they would win a t-shirt,
baseball cap or some other World Series memorabilia.
PAWS, the official mascot
of the Detroit Tigers was at the event. He was there to meet and
greet the little Tiger fans. Much like Santa receives the key to
Detroit each Thanksgiving at the conclusion of the parade, PAWS
was presented with the key to the Renaissance Center.
There was also free entertainment
for those GM employees and Tiger fans who took an extra-long lunch
break. Brian Alexander and friends performed their song called "It's
Detroit Tiger Town." The group made a performance earlier in
the morning on Fox 2 News. Another group performed "Take Me
Out to the Ballgame" song which is always played during the
seventh inning stretch.
GM employees and the
public were treated with FREE food during the pep rally. Little
Caesar's was giving away slices of their pizza. Burger King provided
slices of their new apple crumb pie. Hot dogs and ice cream bars
were also provided for everyone to enjoy. I bet that a lot of GM
employees took an extra-long lunch break today to celebrate their
Tigers.
Many former Tiger players
were in attendance at the pep rally. Of those, Mickey Lolich and
Willie Horton from the 1968 World Champion Tigers team. Milt Wilcox,
a former Tiger played when the team won the World Series in 1984.
The players spoke to the crowd then they stayed to sign autographs
for the fans.
Detroit
hosts a World Series weekend
Downtown
Detroit is set to host another big sports event this weekend. Comerica
Park will host the 2006 MLB World Series. The Tigers will take on
the St. Louis Cardinals. Games one and two will be played in Detroit.
If necessary, games six and seven will also be played here.
According
to Sportsbook.com, the Tigers are favored to win the World Series
for the 5th time in franchise history. The website also believes
they will accomplish the feat by winning the first four games in
a row. The 2006 MLB World Series will be a rematch between the Tigers
and the Cardinals who played in the 1968 series.
The Detroit
Tigers have had the last week to rest up. The Cardinals just finished
a series with the Mets and could be tired. Justin Verlander was
chosen to be the starting pitcher for game one of the World Series.
Kenny Rogers will pitch first in game two. Nate Robertson will be
the starting pitcher for game three. Game four will go to Jeremy
Bonderman.
The Motor
City has become an elite sports town. In February, Detroit was the
host city to Super Bowl XL. Now in October, the city is hosting
the MLB World Series. Detroit is only the 2nd city to have hosted
both big events in the same year.
"This is one of
the most successful decades for sports in Detroit's history, including
our lineup of marquee events such as the Ryder Cup (2004), the MLB
All Star Game (2005), Super Bowl XL (2006) and the upcoming NCAA
Men's Final Four in 2009," said Christopher Ilitch, president
and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc.
Many celebrities will
be in town for the 2006 World Series. Ann Arbor's Bob Seger will
sing "God Bless America" at game one. Ceremonial first
pitches will be made by Al Kaline, Willie Horton and Tigers owner
Mike Ilitch. Anita Baker will sing the national anthem in game two.
John Melencamp will perform his new song "Our Country."
The first pitch will be thrown by former manager and 1984 World
Series champion Sparky Anderson.
Fans will be treated
to an exciting weekend in downtown Detroit. The city will be filled
with lots of fun activities for out-of-town visitors and local residents.
Country star Vince Gill will perform at the Fox Theatre, just footsteps
from Comerica Park. The Detroit Historical Museum is featuring baseball
memorabilia from Ernie Harwell, Ty Cobb, Al Kaline and many others.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is showing the "American Music"
exhibition with photos by Annie Leibovitz. The Gem and Century Theatres
are featuring "The Rat Pack Returns" and "Menopause
the Musical."
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Brian
Alexander and local musicians perform "It's Detroit Tiger Town."
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
The
GM Wintergarden is all decked out in style for the Detroit Tigers.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Former
Tigers player Mickey Lolich speaks to the crowd in the GM Wintergarden.
He played for the Detroit Tigers when they won the World Series
in 1968.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Milt
Wilcox, a former Detroit Tigers player, helped the ball club win
the World Series in 1984.
Click
here for more photos from the GM pep rally. |
