Mize to make major league debut on Aug. 19 against the White Sox in Chicago

The Detroit Tigers announced today that they have called up right-handed pitcher Casey Mize, who will make his Tigers debut on Wednesday, Aug. 19 in Chicago, as well as left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, who will debut on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and infielder Isaac Paredes, who will kick off the series in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 17.

“They are very well-rounded individuals — good people, hardworking, talented,” said Al Avila, Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “Their repertoire and quality of pitches are all solid. To be a good major league baseball player and have a good career it takes more than one pitch or one aspect. They bring those qualities. They bring a lot to the table, both the mental and physical aspects. To me, that is what will make them successful.”

Mize was drafted by the Tigers No. 1 overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. At the time of the announcement, he ranks as the No. 8 prospect in baseball and No. 2 on the Tigers, per MLB Pipeline. He was named to the Eastern League midseason All-Star Team in 2019 and was a consensus All-American at Auburn University.

A power pitching prospect on the rise, Skubal was drafted by the Tigers in the ninth round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He was named to the Florida State League midseason All-Star Team in 2019 and selected as an organization All-Star by MiLB.com. Skubal was honored as Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Month in both June and July of 2019. He was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the organization by Baseball America, and No. 5 by MLB Pipeline.

One of the best power-hitting infielders at his age, Paredes came from the Cubs along with Jeimer Candelario in 2017 in exchange for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson. He was named the Tigers Minor League Co-Player of the year in 2019 and is ranked the No. 6 prospect in the Tigers organization per MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

‍

Families across metro Detroit who have been patiently waiting for live entertainment since early March now have a must-see attraction, courtesy of 313 Presents. Following sold-out weekends in San Antonio, Dallas and Oklahoma City, Jurassic Quest is now arriving at the parking area of DTE Energy Music Theatre through Sunday, August 23, for the first ever Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru.

The nation’s best touring dinosaur exhibit has been transformed into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring more than 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as the 50 foot-long Megalodon – all experienced from the safety of your family vehicle. Guests will be among the first in the nation to go on a quest with an online audio tour that will lead them throughout the thrilling dinosaur safari.

“We’re thrilled, with Jurassic Quest, to bring live entertainment back in a way that is safe for all and which allows families an opportunity to experience our venue a little bit differently than they’re used to,” said 313 Presents President Howard Handler. “The parking area at DTE Energy Music Theatre is the perfect setting for this unique and exciting event.”

Tickets for the hour-long car ride, which start at $49 plus fees per one standard passenger car or SUV, must be purchased online in advance at 313Presents.com or JurassicQuest.com. Time slots and hours will vary by day.

Jurassic Quest will continue to take extra precautionary measures to provide a clean and safe event. Food or beverage will not be available for purchase onsite, so guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks to enjoy during the ride. Merchandise will be available for purchase at the Dino Store, and all transactions are cashless and touchless, as staff will deliver items to vehicles. Guests are to remain in their vehicles. If guests need to exit their vehicle prior to or after the ride to use the restrooms, masks should be worn. Social distancing rules will be requested of all guests and maintained by Jurassic Quest crew, who will be sanitizing equipment, dinosaurs and workstations more frequently and thoroughly throughout the entirety of the event. Employees will be applying hand sanitizer and washing their hands regularly throughout each day, in addition to wearing masks. Guest safety and enjoyment is Jurassic Quest‘s top priority.

A full list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found online at www.jurassicquest.com/drive-thru-faqs. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit 313Presents.com.

‍

Little Caesars Pizza is continuing its international expansion with its first restaurants in Colombia. The global brand, which currently operates in 26 countries and territories, including in Peru and Chile in South America, will open two stores in Bogotá in August 2020.

The restaurants in Colombia are owned and operated by LCPZ Colombia S.A.S., which is part of the Pequeño Caesarmex family of companies, which also owns and operates Little Caesars locations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The first two restaurants in Bogotá will be in the San Cipriano and Prado Veraniego neighborhoods.

“As we continue to expand our global footprint, we are thrilled to bring Little Caesars Pizza to Colombia,” said Paula Vissing, Senior Vice President of International for Little Caesars Pizza. “The pizza market is expected to grow nearly 20 percent in Latin America over the next several years, and Colombia represents a very important new market for us in the region. We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with LCPZ Colombia to introduce the brand in Bogotá.”

Little Caesars Pizza’s signature HOT-N-READY® model gives customers the easy and quick option to simply stop in and carry out a selection of freshly made, great-tasting pizzas and side items without waiting or ordering ahead. This model limits both contact and time spent in store. Additionally, in Colombia, the location in San Cipriano will also feature a drive-thru pick-up window where customers can purchase HOT-N-READY® menu items without leaving their cars.

“Little Caesars is a family owned company and our one of our top priorities will always be the health and safety of our customers and crew,” Vissing said. “The HOT-N-READY model provides customers a great tasting pizza at an everyday affordable price. Now more than ever it is important to offer customers a safe and satisfying meal option for their families.”

Pizzas are baked in 245-degree (Celsius) ovens and only handled with sanitized tools after baking. Globally, the chain has also reinforced cleanliness and sanitization procedures, increasing the frequency of cleaning frequently touched surfaces including door handles, countertops, phones, and cash registers. The stores will also have plexiglass shields on the counter, require face coverings for crew members, and enforce social distancing in lobby areas.

The menu in Colombia will feature several HOT-N-READY® large pizzas including pepperoni, cheese and ham. Other delicious offerings include a Hula Hawaiian pizza and the 4-N-1 pizza, which has four unique and delicious topping combinations on the pizza: cheese; peperoni; peperoni and Italian sausage; and peperoni, green pepper and ham. Chicken wings and Little Caesars signature Crazy Bread® will also be available. The full menu can be found by visiting International.LittleCaesars.com.

‍

Clark Park in southwest Detroit is a central gathering place for children and families, with several baseball and softball diamonds that host youth games and practices throughout the summer. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, recently donated buckets of baseballs, softballs, helmets, bats, mitts, batting tees and bases, as well as 1,500 masks, which were made in the Ilitch companies mask manufacturing facility.

The donated equipment was made available through the Foundation’s “Gloves for Kids” program, in partnership with Dunham’s Sports. The program’s mission is to provide Michigan’s youth with the proper equipment to participate in organized baseball and softball.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation is long-time partner with Clark Park. The Foundation previously supported the park through Tigers game ticket donations, player meet-and-greets or appearances, other equipment donations, as well as hosting youth baseball and coaching clinics at the park. Miguel Cabrera had also previously donated funds to help refurbish Clark Park’s baseball fields.

Learn more about the Detroit Tigers Foundation’s youth sports programs at DetroitTigers.com.

Film fanatics of all ages are invited to enjoy Michigan’s beautiful summer nights outside Little Caesars Arena for “The District Detroit Movie Nights” presented by Chevrolet, a free cinema series running Aug. 7 – Sept. 6.

With reserved seating that enables social distancing and other safety measures in place, Chevrolet Plaza will be transformed into an outdoor theater featuring two movies per week. Guests will have an opportunity to support many local restaurants with food trucks and tents located outside the arena. Complimentary parking will be available at the Henry West Garage, located at 128 W. Fisher Service Dr.

Movies will air at 7 p.m. EST on Fridays and Sundays. To ensure safe social distancing with a limited capacity, reservations are necessary, and can be made here. Confirmed attendees will be required to wear face masks, and temperature checks and health screenings will be conducted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chair or towel to sit on in Chevrolet Plaza.

“The District Detroit Movie Nights” line-up offers something for everyone, and begins with “Amazing Grace” on Friday, Aug. 7. One week later, on Aug. 14, “The Russian Five” will be shown, the true story of Russian-born Detroit Red Wings teammates that became family and Stanley Cup Champions.

As part of the Detroit Tigers’ celebration of Negro Leagues Weekend, a screening of the 1976 sports comedy, “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings,” will be shown on Sunday, Aug. 16. This movie is about a team of enterprising ex-Negro League baseball players in the era of racial segregation. The cinema series will wrap up on Sunday, Sept. 6 with a screening of the 1992 classic, “The Mighty Ducks.”

For more information on “The District Detroit Movie Nights,” please visit follow @DistrictDetroit on social media, or visit DistrictDetroit.com/MovieNights.

The complete schedule is as follows:

Friday, Aug. 7: “Amazing Grace” (G)

Sunday, Aug. 9: “Remember the Titans” (PG)

Friday, Aug. 14: “The Russian Five” (NR)

Sunday, Aug. 16: “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings” (PG)

Friday, Aug. 21: “The Lion King” (PG)

Sunday, Aug. 23: “Field of Dreams” (PG)

Friday, Aug. 28: “42” (PG-13)

Sunday, Aug. 30: “Rudy” (PG)

Friday, Sept. 4: “A League of Their Own” (PG)

Sunday, Sept. 6: “The Mighty Ducks” (PG)

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ilitch organization, for the third consecutive year, will host the Red Cross and Anheuser-Busch at Little Caesars Arena for a One Team blood drive on Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“The need for blood is constant,” said Beth Frahm, donor recruitment account manager with the Red Cross. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. We are thrilled to again partner with the Ilitch organization and Anheuser-Busch to ensure blood products are available to those in need.”

The blood drive will take place on the arena’s 60,000-square foot Via Concourse, which will allow for safe social distancing. Free parking is available for donors at the Henry West Garage, located at 128 W. Fisher Service Dr. Attendees will have a chance to spin a wheel to win prizes, including sports memorabilia and gift cards, while supplies last.

Anheuser-Busch, the country’s largest sponsor of live sports and entertainment, has redirected sports and entertainment investments to its non-profit partners to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis. As part of a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, Anheuser-Busch, alongside its sports partners, identified available arenas and stadiums to be used for temporary blood drive centers, which includes Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Eligible donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) sponsor code: LCA313. Donors are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

The National Hockey League and Little Caesars have entered a new North American partnership, making Little Caesars the official pizza restaurant of the NHL. The agreement begins immediately and runs through the 2020-2021 season.

“Little Caesars is an enormous global restaurant chain with deep ties to our sport, both at the Club level with the Detroit Red Wings as well as through its long-standing youth hockey involvement in Michigan,” said Kyle McMann, NHL Senior Vice President, North American Business Development & Global Partnerships. “We are thrilled to welcome this iconic brand to the NHL family, and are excited to share and build new programming to deepen Little Caesars connection to fans across North America.”

The agreement offers Little Caesars an array of exclusive marketing rights and designations that will connect the brand with the NHL and its events. Fans will see the Little Caesars brand displayed in a corner in-ice ad position during every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup® Qualifiers™ and 2020 Stanley Cup® Playoffs, as well as all exhibition games.

“As we continue to add stores and customers across the globe, our partnership with the NHL will connect us with millions of consumers around the world in a new way,” said Dave Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars. “The Little Caesars brand has had a deep relationship with the incredible sport of hockey for a long time, and we’re thrilled to take our love of the game to the next level.”

Little Caesars has a proud and well-established affiliation with hockey. Mike and Marian Ilitch, the founders of Little Caesars, purchased the Detroit Red Wings in 1982 and began sponsorship of amateur hockey in 1968. Little Caesars AAA Hockey is one of the most recognized and respected organizations in amateur travel hockey with numerous national championships, and a strong track record of placing players in the NHL.

‍

The Detroit Tigers join fans from across the globe in excitement as the baseball season is upon us! The Tigers are proud to give fans in Detroit, across Michigan, and around the world, something to ROOT for, together.

As we all know, nobody ROOTS like Detroit ROOTS. Check out how we root.

The ballclub returns to Comerica Park to open the home portion of their schedule on Monday, July 27. First pitch against the Kansas City Royals is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

While fans can’t be in the stadium for this year’s Home Opener, the Tigers faithful have opportunities to be virtually present for the pregame ceremonies and game play by following the action on @Tigers social media channels or tuning into the broadcasts on FOX Sports Detroit and 97.1 The Ticket. Below is just some of what’s in store.

Monday, July 27 vs. Kansas City – First Pitch at 7:10 p.m. (Pregame Ceremony Begins at 6:40 p.m.)

• Opening Day on-field introductions for the Tigers and starting lineup for the Royals.
  • Tigers starters and manager will be introduced via video by youth representatives organizations.
• Pregame Memorial for the Late Al Kaline will recognize his Hall of Fame career and impact on the Detroit Tigers organization.
• National Anthem will be performed virtually by Jose Feliciano.
• Numerous season-long items will honor Mr. Tiger’s memory.
  • ‘6’ Jersey Patch to be worn on Tigers uniforms.
  • Recognition flag reading “KALINE” will be flown in center field.
• For the home opener, base jewels will pay homage to Mr. Tiger.
• The Tigers partnered with Comerica Bank to connect with fans from across Michigan to film our Longest First Pitch. Can be seen on @Tigers social media channels around gametime.

Home Game No. 2, July 28 – Pre-Game Ceremony

• The Tigers will honor the bravery and commitment of COVID-19 Front-Line Heroes, along with those who have lost their lives from the disease.
• Starting lineups and manager for the Tigers will be introduced via video by local Front-Line Heroes.
• Players will wear shirts in batting practice recognizing Front Line Heroes.
• Tribute cards held by Tigers players in a special moment of recognition for essential workers.
• Moment of silence for those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

“Today is about the best fans in baseball,” said Ellen Zeringue, Tigers Vice President of Marketing. “Opening Day in our city is a tradition built by generations of great Tigers fans. As thrilled as we are to start the season, we’re equally excited to launch our Detroit Roots campaign. This platform taps into the deep-rooted pride of “being from Detroit” and invites all people to experience the collective revelry they can only get from being Detroit Tigers fan.  So, while fans cannot cheer with us in the ballpark, we are providing them with tools and resources to root for the Tigers at home or wherever they watch Tigers games. From meme generators, downloadable lineup cards and Olde English D stencils to encouraging fans to share photos and videos from where they are rooting or displaying fan shout outs to players on the Comerica Park Scoreboard.  Detroit Roots connects the club, its fans and the entire community into one big rooting section, cheering for the Tigers and the city of Detroit.”

Looking to the rest of the 2020 season, fans will be treated to a modified 60-game “sprint” schedule for the first time in Major League Baseball history. The Tigers enter the regular season  with a roster of seasoned all-stars, dynamic young talent and a highly touted farm system.

In this unprecedented 2020 season, there’s no telling what can happen – so be sure to tune in and share how you ROOT for our Tigers! #DetroitRoots

‍

As a thank you to healthcare and front-line workers across the country, Little Caesars, the global family-owned pizza chain, donated its millionth pizza on Friday, July 24. The charitable initiative kicked off in the company’s hometown of Detroit with a serving at the Detroit Medical Center and culminated in Detroit at Henry Ford Hospital.

“We are sincerely grateful to Little Caesars and Ilitch Charities for the generous donation to our healthcare workers in recognition of their heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Wright Lassiter, III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “This act of kindness from Little Caesars is reflective of the strong sense of community in Detroit, where organizations and community members have banded together to look out for one another during one of the most challenging times in our collective history.”

Over the past several months, one million pizzas have been donated to over 5,000 facilities in all 50 states, including in those areas most impacted from COVID-19.  

These donations were made possible by Little Caesars, its thousands of independent hard-working franchisees and their locally owned stores, and Ilitch Charities, a non-profit whose goal is to positively impact lives and empower communities.

Little Caesars also introduced the Pie it Forward program, enabling customers on the Little Caesars app to donate more than 250,000 additional Little Caesars Pizzas to the effort, bringing the total pizza contribution to healthcare front-line workers to just over 1.25 million.

“Our goal with this donation was to take care of the people who take such great care of us,” said Dave Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars. “We’re thankful to all of our loyal customers and hardworking franchisees around the country who joined us in this effort.”

For a summary of where donations took place around the country and some of the key stories, visit OneMillionPizzas.LittleCaesars.com.

‍