The Detroit Tigers announced four new members of the Major League coaching staff for the 2024 season. Joey Cora (Third Base Coach), Anthony Iapoce (First Base Coach), Ryan Sienko (Catching Coach), and Lance Zawadzki (Assistant Major League Hitting Coach) will all join the Tigers coaching staff in 2024.

Cora joins the Tigers coaching staff after spending the previous two seasons as the third base coach for the New York Mets. Prior to his time with the Mets, Cora was the Pirates third base and infield coach from 2017-21. In 2016, he managed Pittsburgh’s Double A affiliate, Altoona, leading them to a 76-64 regular season record and a spot in the playoffs. Cora was the bench coach in 2012 with Miami and with the Chicago White Sox from 2007-11. He was the third base coach for the White Sox from 2004-06, including during the club’s 2005 World Championship season. Cora managed Single A Savannah in 2003 and led the Mets rookie-level affiliate Kingsport in 2001 and 2002. He began his coaching career in 2000 with Single A Daytona.

Cora enjoyed an 11-year Major League career with the Padres (1987; 1989-90), White Sox (1991-94), Mariners (1995-98) and Indians (1988). He was selected to the American League All-Star Team in 1997 with Seattle, setting career highs in doubles (40), home runs (11), RBI (54) and runs scored (105). Cora was part of four teams that advanced to the postseason during his playing career.

The 23^rd overall selection by San Diego in the 1985 MLB Draft, Cora played collegiately at Vanderbilt University, where he was a two-time All-American and a two-time academic All-American.

Iapoce was promoted to the Major League coaching staff after spending the 2023 season as the manager for Triple A Toledo. Before joining the Tigers organization, he most recently worked in the Boston Red Sox organization as the Senior Hitting Coordinator in 2022. Prior to his time with the Red Sox, he spent six seasons as a Major League hitting coach, three each with the Chicago Cubs (2019-21) and Texas Rangers (2016-18).

Prior to joining Texas’ Major League staff, Iapoce spent three seasons in the Cubs organization as a Special Assistant to the GM while overseeing the club’s Minor League hitting program from 2013-15. He was a roving hitting coordinator with Toronto from 2010-12. Iapoce was a hitting coach in the Marlins system with Single A Jamestown (2006), Single A Greensboro (2007) and Single A Jupiter (2008-09).

Iapoce played 11 seasons in the Minor Leagues with the Brewers and Marlins organizations, as well as independent ball, after being selected by Milwaukee in the 33^rd round of the 1994 MLB Draft.

Sienko spent the previous two seasons as the organization’s Director of Coaching and Field Coordinator, where he coordinated the organization’s on-field activity and coaching initiatives. Prior to coming to Detroit, he spent six seasons as a catching coordinator with the Dodgers. Before joining the Dodgers, he was an associate scout for the Orioles from 2007-15 and from 2002-07 was the Director of Baseball Operations and instructor with the National Pitching Association. In 2005, he founded Catch & Throw, an organization with the mission of providing quality professional catching instruction to support the health and performance of catchers. He also coached at the high school level, including at Torrey Pines High School and Canyon Crest Academy.

Sienko played collegiately at the University of Iowa, professionally in the Texas and Chicago (AL) systems, and was named an All-Star in independent baseball.

Zawadzki joins the Tigers after spending the previous two seasons as the Hitting Coordinator in the Boston Red Sox player development system. Prior to that, he was the hitting coach for Double A Portland in 2020-21 and Single A Salem in 2019. He made his coaching debut with Single A Lowell in 2018.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Lee University, Zawadzki played 11 professional seasons, reaching the big leagues with the Padres in 2010.

Under fourth-year manager A.J. Hinch, the Tigers full Major League coaching staff for the 2024 season is listed below:

Manager – A.J. Hinch
Bench Coach – George Lombard
Pitching Coach – Chris Fetter
Assistant Pitching Coach – Robin Lund
Assistant Pitching Coach – Juan Nieves
Hitting Coach – Keith Beauregard
Hitting Coach – Michael Brdar
Assistant Hitting Coach – Lance Zawadzki
Major League Coach – Gary Jones
First Base Coach – Anthony Iapoce
Third Base Coach – Joey Cora
Catching Coach – Ryan Sienko

Belinda Beard started making egg rolls to carry on her mother’s culinary legacy, eventually earning the “Egg Roll Diva” nickname that would eventually become her full-time business. She started EggRollDiva shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, taking individual orders and catering local events, then transitioned to running the business full-time in 2022. Now, Beard is one of the Detroit-based food vendors featured at Little Caesars Arena.

EggRollDiva will serve four types of egg rolls during Detroit Red Wings and Pistons home games through December 14: southwest chicken, vegan southwest chicken, crab rangoon and corned beef.

“Being at the arena is such an incredible experience,” Beard said. “I am so excited to expand my audience to people I might not reach otherwise. This is going to be such a huge opportunity for my small business.”

Little Caesars Arena and Comerica Park began featuring Detroit-based small businesses as food vendors in 2022, with nine businesses participating to date. This season at Little Caesars Arena will also include Baobab Fare, Bert’s Marketplace and Cooking with Que.

“Providing opportunities for Detroit-based businesses enhances the experience for our fans while providing a platform for these vendors to grow their businesses,” said Ryan Gustafson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Building these connections expands our ability to amaze, inspire and unite throughout our community.”

• Three-Time Pennant-Winning Manager Will Be Inducted in Cooperstown July 21 as Part of Class of 2024

Jim Leyland, who took three franchises to the postseason and led the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series title, earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee process, it was announced today on MLB Network.

Leyland was a candidate on the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Managers/Executive/Umpires Ballot, which was considered by a 16-member committee that held meetings today in Nashville, Tenn. The eight-person ballot was comprised of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came from 1980 to the present.

Leyland was named on 15 of 16 ballots as the only candidate to reach the 75-percent threshold necessary for election.

Leyland, 78, will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, which will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Leyland managed in the big leagues for 22 seasons with the Pirates, Marlins, Rockies and Tigers, amassing 1,769 victories, six first-place finishes, three pennants and the 1997 World Series title with the Marlins. A three-time Manager of the Year winner – twice with the Pirates in 1990 and 1992 and again with the Tigers in 2006 – Leyland’s team also finished second five times. He finished in the Top 2 of his league’s Manager of the Year voting six times.

Leyland led his teams to 90-or-more victories seven times and his victory total ranks second all-time among managers who never played in the big leagues, trailing only Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy. Following his big league managerial career, Leyland skippered Team USA to the World Baseball Classic title in 2017, the first championship in the event for the United States.

The 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorate charged with the review of the Contemporary Baseball Era Managers/Executives/Umpires Ballot was comprised of Hall of Fame members Jeff Bagwell, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Bud Selig, Ted Simmons, Jim Thome and Joe Torre; major league executives Sandy Alderson, Bill DeWitt, Michael Hill, Ken Kendrick, Andy MacPhail and Phyllis Merhige; and veteran media members/historians Sean Forman, Jack O’Connell and Jesus Ortiz. Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark served as the non-voting chairman of the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

Results of the Contemporary Baseball Era Managers/Executives/Umpires Ballot (12 votes needed for election): Jim Leyland (15 votes, 93.8%); Lou Piniella (11 votes, 68.8%); Bill White (10 votes, 62.5%); Cito Gaston, Davey Johnson, Ed Montague, Hank Peters and Joe West each received less than five votes.

The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee will next consider managers, executives and umpires in 2026 for the 2027 Induction year, as part of the three-year era committee cycle. The Classic Era Committee will consider all candidates whose primary contributions to the game came prior to 1980 in the winter of 2024 for the Class of 2025; and Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Players Ballot will be considered in the winter of 2025 for the Class of 2026. Committees are annually scheduled to convene at the Winter Meetings.

The eight Contemporary Baseball Era Managers/Executives/Umpires Committee finalists were selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America-appointed Historical Overview Committee from all eligible candidates whose most significant career impact was realized from 1980 to the present. Eligible candidates include managers and umpires with 10 or more major league seasons and retired for at least five years (candidates who are 65 years or older are eligible six months following retirement); and executives retired for at least five years (active executives 70 years or older are eligible for consideration regardless of the position they hold in an organization and regardless of whether their body of work has been completed). All candidates must not be on Baseball’s Ineligible List.

The Contemporary Baseball Era Managers/Executives/Umpires Ballot was determined this fall by the Historical Overview Committee, comprised of 11 veteran historians: Adrian Burgos (University of Illinois), Bob Elliott (Canadian Baseball Network); Jim Henneman (formerly Baltimore Sun); Steve Hirdt (Stats Perform); David O’Brien (The Athletic); Jack O’Connell (BBWAA); Jim Reeves (formerly Fort Worth Star-Telegram); Tracy Ringolsby (InsideTheSeams.com); Glenn Schwarz (formerly San Francisco Chronicle); Susan Slusser (San Francisco Chronicle); and Mark Whicker (Los Angeles News Group).

Hall of Fame Weekend 2024 will be held July 19-22 in Cooperstown, N.Y., with the Induction Ceremony slated for Sunday, July 21, 2024. The BBWAA election results will be announced at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 23, on MLB Network.

Also this week, two Hall of Fame award winners will be announced, with the BBWAA selecting its annual Career Excellence Award winner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, for meritorious contributions to baseball writing. On Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Museum will announce the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award winner, given for excellence in baseball broadcasting.

Two of rock’s most iconic and influential bands, Journey and Def Leppard, have announced next summer’s hottest co-headlining stadium tour. The bands will join forces to conquer stadium stages across North America in 2024. This legendary collaboration promises a musical journey like no other, igniting the hearts and souls of fans and delivering a night of unforgettable rock anthems. The 23-city tour will perform at Comerica Park on Thursday, July 18 at 6 p.m. Special guest performance for the local date will feature Steve Miller Band to round out an evening of rock. The tour is presented by AEG Presents.

Tickets go on sale Friday, December 15 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at 313Presents.com and
Ticketmaster.com. Registration for access to presale tickets opens on Thursday, December 7 at 10 a.m.
Sign up at www.defleppardjourney2024.com.

Citi is the official card of the tour and cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning
Wednesday, December 13 at 10 a.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program (for complete
presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Def Leppard will offer a variety of VIP experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next
level. VIP experiences vary but may include a premium seat, personal photo with the band, exclusive
merchandise and more. Check local tour listings for offerings.

A limited number of exclusive Journey VIP packages will also be available. These exclusive offers can
include an amazing selection of reserved seated tickets, custom merchandise and more.

Mark your calendars, the Journey x Def Leppard 2024 Stadium Tour will combine timeless classics and
chart-topping hits, celebrating the enduring spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. From anthems that have stood the test
of time to the latest and greatest hits, fans can expect a setlist that transcends generations, showcasing
the unparalleled talent and mastery of both of these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted bands.

Said Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, “Def Leppard and Journey will be reuniting and hitting the road together
for the Summer Stadium Tour with Steve Miller, Cheap Trick & Heart on select shows, which makes for an
amazing night of music! Having just completed a sensational 18 month run promoting our Diamond Star
Halos album, we shall hit the boards running with a brand-new stage show and set of songs that will
celebrate specific parts of our history. We may even have a surprise or two up our sleeves … so, wanna
join us!??! … See you in the summer!”

“We are thrilled to be back on the road in 2024 with so many good friends as part of this tour. No matter which city you come to this will be an amazing night of music!” said Journey.

Def Leppard released their critically and commercially acclaimed 12th studio album Diamond Star Halos
in 2022, which charted all over the world including a top 5 and top 10 in both North America and the U.K.
They followed that release with Drastic Symphonies in May 2023, featuring Def Leppard’s greatest
produced tracks dramatically reimagined, via the band teaming with London’s iconic The Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road. The album spent 15 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Current Classical Chart. In early 2023, the band scored a U.K. No 1 Netflix film with their cameo in acclaimed movie Bank Of Dave. The band also embarked on a sold-out stadium tour across North America with Mötley Crüe in 2022, selling over 1.3 million tickets. In 2023, the tour wowed audiences throughout Central and South America, U.S., Japan, Australia and Europe including a stop at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.

Journey features founder Neal Schon (lead guitarist/backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing
vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, vocals), Jason Derlatka (keyboards, vocals) and Todd Jensen (bass). Neal Schon is a 3x Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Jon Cain is a recipient of two BMI songwriter awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of JOURNEY. Most recently Journey has been playing sold out arenas on their Freedom Tour and looks forward to summersized Stadium shows.

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With hundreds of events across six sports and entertainment venues, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment event colleagues play a critical role in amazing, inspiring and uniting millions of guests each year. These incredible colleagues work in a diverse array of roles, including ushers, security, parking, in-venue entertainment and much more. Their dedication to providing a tremendous guest experience shines through in all that they do.

Meet Christina Wilson, Detroit Tigers, Energy Squad Coach

313 Presents hosts an exceptional holiday show lineup this season as part of the 2023-2024 Fox Theatre Series Presented by Comerica Bank and invites families to create one-of-a-kind treasured memories at the Fox. Returning favorites include Cirque Dreams Holidaze, A Magical Cirque Christmas, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis and The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays. Find the entire series schedule at 313Presents.com.

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Families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit (RMHC) while their children are being cared for at DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan were treated to a special lunch this November, thanks to Detroit Red Wings Executive Chef William Ferrill and the team’s spouses and significant others, known as the “Lady Wings.”

“Especially around the holidays, it feels great to be here serving the families at Ronald McDonald House, providing them with a good meal,” said Ferrill. “I am grateful that my role has given me this opportunity to come out and help others.”

Chef Ferrill and the Lady Wings visited the Ronald McDonald House Detroit in advance of Hockey Fights Cancer night on November 30 to prepare and serve lunch to the families, as well as support the organization with additional volunteer tasks during their stay.

“It’s great for the Lady Wings to give back to the city, opening them up to the different volunteer opportunities that Detroit offers,” said Merideth Gokey, Community Impact Manager for the Detroit Red Wings. “With our Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, it’s important to support individuals and families affected by cancer. We are here supporting the Ronald McDonald House Detroit because of our long-standing relationship.”

The Lady Wings group consists of wives and significant others of Red Wings players, coaches and front office staff who participate in charitable functions and community service projects throughout metro Detroit. Since 2016, the group has provided support to a variety of internal events and external organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Children’s Center, Humble Design and Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit. Since its inception, the Lady Wings have contributed more than 300 hours and thousands of dollars to support local community causes.

“It’s so important to give back in the communities we get to call home during the season,” said Julie Petry, spouse of Jeff Petry, Red Wings defenseman. “Now that Detroit is our family’s home year-round, it means a lot to us to support the local community and families whose children have experienced difficult times.”

The doors of Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit opened in November of 1979, adjacent to the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan, becoming the 11th Ronald McDonald House location to open. Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit sets out to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families, offering a place for families to stay while their children undergo treatment.

“The families that stay with us have children at the hospitals here in Detroit, and the meal from the Red Wings provides a comfort and takes the stress off these families because they don’t need to make anything,” said Kelly Klemmer, Marketing and Development Director for Ronald McDonald House Detroit. “It’s already provided to them. It allows them more time with their kids because we’re taking care of them. We are just grateful to have the support of the Red Wings, because it really shows these families support when they need it the most.”

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• Forward Has Recorded 28 Points in 69 Games With Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled right wing Jonatan Berggren from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Berggren, 23, has appeared in two games with the Red Wings this season, recording three shots in 9:20 average time on ice. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound forward has also tallied 11 points (4-7-11) and two penalty minutes in 11 games with the Griffins to begin the 2023-24 campaign. Berggren spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with the Red Wings and ranked among the team leaders with 15 goals (5th), 28 points (9th), five power play goals (T4th), nine power play points (7th) and a 15.3 shooting percentage (1st) in 67 games. He also registered seven points (4-3-7) in seven appearances with the Griffins in 2022-23. Selected by the Red Wings in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Berggren has collected 28 points (15-13-28) and 16 penalty minutes in 69 career NHL games. He has also logged 82 points (29-53-82) and 28 penalty minutes in 88 games with the Griffins since 2021-22.

Prior to arriving in North America, Berggren played for Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League, tying for the team lead with 45 points (12-33-45) in 49 games during the 2020-21 campaign, in addition to four assists in 12 postseason contests. In all, Berggren notched 60 points (14-46-60), a plus-seven rating and 28 penalty minutes in 99 games with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden’s top professional league from 2017-21. Berggren also registered 69 points (24-45-69), a plus-19 rating and 42 penalty minutes in 67 career games for Skelleftea’s under-20 team from 2016-18. The Uppsala, Sweden, native represented his country at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, tallying seven points (2-5-7), a plus-five rating and two penalty minutes in eight games. Berggren earned a bronze medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording five points (1-4-5) in seven games. He captured a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship after leading the team with 10 points (5-5-10) in seven games, and also won bronze after picking up five points (3-2-5) in five games at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Additionally, Berggren won a gold medal with Sweden during the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, tallying three points (2-1-3) in six games.

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• Forward Has Recorded 28 Points in 69 Games With Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled right wing Jonatan Berggren from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Berggren, 23, has appeared in two games with the Red Wings this season, recording three shots in 9:20 average time on ice. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound forward has also tallied 11 points (4-7-11) and two penalty minutes in 11 games with the Griffins to begin the 2023-24 campaign. Berggren spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with the Red Wings and ranked among the team leaders with 15 goals (5th), 28 points (9th), five power play goals (T4th), nine power play points (7th) and a 15.3 shooting percentage (1st) in 67 games. He also registered seven points (4-3-7) in seven appearances with the Griffins in 2022-23. Selected by the Red Wings in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Berggren has collected 28 points (15-13-28) and 16 penalty minutes in 69 career NHL games. He has also logged 82 points (29-53-82) and 28 penalty minutes in 88 games with the Griffins since 2021-22.

Prior to arriving in North America, Berggren played for Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League, tying for the team lead with 45 points (12-33-45) in 49 games during the 2020-21 campaign, in addition to four assists in 12 postseason contests. In all, Berggren notched 60 points (14-46-60), a plus-seven rating and 28 penalty minutes in 99 games with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden’s top professional league from 2017-21. Berggren also registered 69 points (24-45-69), a plus-19 rating and 42 penalty minutes in 67 career games for Skelleftea’s under-20 team from 2016-18. The Uppsala, Sweden, native represented his country at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, tallying seven points (2-5-7), a plus-five rating and two penalty minutes in eight games. Berggren earned a bronze medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording five points (1-4-5) in seven games. He captured a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship after leading the team with 10 points (5-5-10) in seven games, and also won bronze after picking up five points (3-2-5) in five games at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Additionally, Berggren won a gold medal with Sweden during the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, tallying three points (2-1-3) in six games.