After a standout rookie campaign, outfielder Riley Greene has been voted Tiger of the Year by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Greene played in 93 games for the Tigers after his Major League debut on June 18, posting a .253/.321/.362 slashline with 18 doubles, four triples and five home runs, while also driving in 42 runs. From the point he joined the big league club, Greene led Detroit in multiple offensive categories among players with at least 250 plate appearances, including hits (95), doubles, triples, walks (36) and average exit velocity (89.5 MPH).

In addition to his offensive output, Greene played a standout center field. Major League Baseball awarded him Electric Play of the Week honors three times on the season: June 26 (diving catch on June 25 at ARI), September 19 (diving catch on September 13 vs. HOU) and September 26 (home run robbery on September 25 at CWS).

Greene’s season garnered seven first place votes for the award. Also receiving first place votes: Tarik Skubal (5), Eric Haase (4), Harold Castro (3), Miguel Cabrera and Gregory Soto (2), and Javier Báez (1).

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Hockey fans attending the Red Wings’ 25^th anniversary commemoration of the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup championships on November 3 and 5 will get to enjoy some rarely seen mementos from those games in a pop-up exhibit located near the Chevrolet entrance to Little Caesars Arena, adjacent to the Gordie Howe statue.

The display will be on view through the second intermission of each game. Highlights include:

• Game-worn jerseys of the Russian Five (Vladimir Konstantinov, Sergei Federov, Slava Fetisov, Slava Koslov, and Igor Larionov) whose unmatched skill made them major scorers during the 1997 Stanley Cup and whose technique was modeled by many coaches and players in the NHL.
  
• A 1997 stick signed by goalie Mike Vernon that reads “here’s to the cup 1997 cheers! Mike Vernon,” and a 1997, game-used and signed stick belonging Steve Yzerman. These are part of a collection signed by the team the morning after their 1997 Stanley Cup win. Right wing Joe Kocur personally went to each player and had them sign their stick from the season.
  
• Darren McCarty’s 1998 playoff jersey featuring a patch on the shoulder. The patch was replicated and available for fans to purchase in 1998.

Fans will also have the opportunity to share their memories of the 1997 and 1998 Red Wings Stanley Cup championships, as well as purchase an assortment of 25^th Anniversary special merchandise from the Team Store including novelties from pucks to glasses and pins, hats and authentic memorabilia.

With tickets expected to be in high demand, fans are encouraged to visit DetroitRedWings.com/tickets to secure their seats today. The 1997 team will be honored on Thursday, Nov. 3 when the Red Wings host the Washington Capitals. The 1998 Red Wings will be celebrated when Detroit entertains the New York Islanders on Saturday, Nov. 5. For additional information, fans can visit DetroitRedWings.com/Anniversary.

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Take an early look at some of the progress that L.S. BRINKER is leading at Bagley Development Group’s restoration of the historic former United Artists Building. The Residences@150 Bagley will bring new market-rate and affordable housing to the Grand Circus Park neighborhood.

Here’s an early look at a few exclusive items that will be available at the Team Store in Little Caesars Arena during the 25th Anniversary celebrations on Thursday, November 3 and Saturday, November 5.

• More than 30 players, coaches and staff from 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup championship teams set to return to Detroit for weekend celebration
• Red Wings will host the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Nov. 3 (7 p.m.) and entertain the New York Islanders on Saturday, Nov. 5 (1 p.m.); limited tickets remain available at DetroitRedWings.com/Anniversary
• Commemorative merchandise items available in the Team Store will include vintage 1997 and 1998 championship t-shirts and hats, replica patches for hockey sweaters, branded pucks and more  
• Exclusive fan photo opportunities available with Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy and Campbell Bowl on Via concourse; doors open early for both games

The Detroit Red Wings today announced more than 30 former players, coaches and staff members set to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration at Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5. The Red Wings will celebrate the 1997 Stanley Cup champions on Thursday, Nov. 3 against the Washington Capitals, and salute the 1998 championship team vs. the New York Islanders the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 5.

Limited tickets for both the Nov. 3 (7 p.m.) and Nov. 5 (1 p.m.) games remain available at DetroitRedWings.com/Anniversary.  

In addition to pregame ceremonies, special vintage merchandise items will be sold in the Team Store, and fans will be able to take photos with the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of his team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Campbell Bowl, given to the Western Conference Champions each season.

The Meijer Southwest Entrance will open early for ticketed fans on both Thursday and Saturday for photo opportunities with all three trophies. The entrance will open at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 3, and 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 5. Photo opportunities will run from 4:30-5:45 p.m. for Thursday’s game, and from 10:30-11:45 a.m. on Saturday. All three trophies will be a part of the pregame ceremony for both games, and then will be brought back up to the Via concourse for additional fan photo opportunities throughout both games.

Fans are also encouraged to arrive and be in their seats early. The pregame ceremony honoring the 1997 team that won the club’s first Stanley Cup in 42 years will begin at approximately 6 p.m. on Nov. 3, and at Noon on Nov. 5 ahead of the early afternoon puck drop at Little Caesars Arena.

Red Wings alumni players, coaches, front office members and support staff scheduled to attend the weekend’s festivities are listed below, and subject to change:

Hakan Andersson (Director of European Scouting)

Scotty Bowman (Head Coach)

Paul Boyer (Head Equipment Manager)

Doug Brown

Mathieu Dandenault

Jim Devellano (General Manager/Senior Vice President)

Kris Draper

Anders Eriksson

Brent Gilchrist

Kevin Hodson

Ken Holland (Assistant General Manager/General Manager)

Tomas Holmstrom

Mark Howe (Pro Scout)

Mike Knuble

Joe Kocur

Vladimir Konstantinov

Mike Krushelnyski (Assistant Coach)

Martin Lapointe

Igor Larionov

Dave Lewis (Associate Coach)

Nicklas Lidstrom

Kirk Maltby

Darren McCarty

Larry Murphy

Chris Osgood

Jamie Pushor

Bob Rouse

Brendan Shanahan

Barry Smith (Associate Coach)

Tim Taylor

Mike Vernon

Aaron Ward

John Wharton (Athletic Trainer)

Steve Yzerman

“We’re looking forward to what will be a tremendous weekend for our fans and the Red Wings alumni returning to Detroit for the 25th Anniversary Celebration,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E). “We encourage fans to be in their seats early to be a part of the pregame ceremonies, and to salute both teams for the pride and joy they continue to bring to Hockeytown.”

Exclusive celebration and vintage Stanley Cup championship merchandise will be sold in the Little Caesars Arena Team Store, including championship t-shirts and hats, replica patches for hockey sweaters, branded pucks and more. Commemorative items featuring the 25th Anniversary logo will also be sold, including hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, lapel pins, glasses and pucks. All fans through the doors will receive a commemorative ticket.

In front of the Gordie Howe statue inside the Chevrolet Northeast Entrance, a historic exhibit will be visible for fans to enjoy and remember, with memorabilia, artifacts and collectables from the 1996-97 and 1997-98 Red Wings seasons on display.

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Little Caesars® announced that Greg Hamilton will take on the role of chief marketing officer at the third largest pizza chain in the world, effective immediately.  

Greg is being promoted from his role of senior vice president of marketing with Little Caesars.  He has spent the last 20 years in marketing roles with progressive leadership responsibility and has nearly 15 years of experience in the quick-service restaurant industry. Greg helped to spearhead the digital transformation of the marketing function at Little Caesars and has played a key role in the brand’s high-profile initiatives, including the chain’s first Super Bowl commercial, its integration in The Batman movie and Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare™ II, and being named the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League.

Little Caesars, home of the Hot-N-Ready® Pizza and Pizza Portal® pickup, is a Detroit-based global pizza company that focuses on bringing customers value, quality, and convenience. The chain aims to continue its digital marketing expansion and impactful partnerships under Greg’s leadership.

“We have such tremendous talent at Little Caesars, and we’re thrilled to be able to promote from within for this key role,” said Dave Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars. “Greg has been an innovative leader here for some time and we’re confident he’s going to propel our brand forward even more as our CMO.”

Greg graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing.  Personally, he is an avid runner and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two children hiking and camping. Greg and his family live in metro Detroit.

“I’m elated to take on this important role at such a storied company, with a group of people I already respect so highly,” said Hamilton, “I look forward to continuing to work with the Little Caesars team and our incredible community of franchisees to keep driving brand growth even further.”

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The Detroit Tigers have named Mark Conner as the club’s Director of Amateur Scouting, joining the organization after 13 seasons with the San Diego Padres.

“I’m excited to welcome another highly talented baseball operations executive to our front office,” said Scott Harris, Detroit Tigers President of Baseball Operations. “Rob and Mark have each led some of the most successful Drafts of the last decade and I am confident they will form a dynamic partnership atop our Amateur Scouting Department. Mark’s track record of success and vision for the department made him the perfect fit for this role. He will be a great complement to Rob and an excellent leader for our area scouts, cross-checkers, and analysts moving forward.”

Conner held a variety of roles in his tenure with the Padres, most recently as a Special Assistant to the GM/Field Coordinator in 2022 and Director, Amateur Scouting from 2014-21. While overseeing the MLB Draft for San Diego, Conner selected many top prospects and current Major Leaguers, including CJ Abrams, David Bednar, Ty France, MacKenzie Gore and Cal Quantrill. That collection of talent led the Padres to having a top 10 farm system in the Majors from 2017-21 and contributed to the team clinching playoff appearances in two of the last three seasons (2020, 2022).

“I couldn’t be happier to join a historic organization like the Tigers and I’m looking forward to working with Scott, Rob and the entire baseball operations group,” said Conner. “During the interview process with Scott and Rob it was clear that all our philosophies, and perhaps more importantly passions to win, were very much aligned. I’ve seen firsthand over the last seven seasons what an impact sound yet progressive amateur draft decisions can have on an organization’s path to success, and I’m excited to get started.”

Conner first joined the Padres as an amateur scout in 2010 and was promoted to northeast regional supervisor prior to the 2014 season. He received the Padres’ Denny Galehouse Scout of the Year Award in 2010, awarded for his thoroughness and diligence in covering his territory and exhausting all resources to gather information about players being scouted.

Prior to joining San Diego, Conner served as pitching coach at the University of South Carolina, Aiken from 2005-09, where he helped guide the Pacers to a school-record 47 wins in 2008. Before his time at USCA, he was an assistant coach at Indian Hills Community College (IA), working with pitchers and catchers. Conner was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Cumberland University (TN) for four seasons before joining Indians Hills.

Conner played collegiately at Cumberland University, where he was a member of four conference championships and appeared in three NAIA World Series. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in education.

A native of Cleveland, OH, Conner and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Nashville, TN, with their daughter (Claire) and son (Caleb).

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Local Black-owned restaurants will be part of the game-day experience at Little Caesars Arena during the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons seasons. In addition to Bert’s Marketplace – which also was available at Comerica Park during the 2022 Detroit Tigers season – The Lobster Food Truck is scheduled to be in Little Caesars Arena until November 12.

The Lobster Food Truck quickly gained word-of-mouth traction after opening in 2018 and parking in different spots in the Metro Detroit area. Posting daily locations and times on the business Instagram page and website, local seafood lovers have been seen lined up at the truck’s respective locations for the last few years. Now, the Dearborn-based brick-and-mortar (as of 2021) brings its popular fare to the home of the Red Wings and Pistons.

“When we created the business, we defined success as being inside of a sports arena.  This is our dream coming to fruition,” said Nick Wilson, who is a co-founder of The Lobster Food Truck with his aunt, Kathryn.

Known as Chef Nick, the Detroit native has over 12 years of culinary experience from across the country and came home to live out his dream of having his own restaurant with his aunt. “We are excited to bring Maine lobster and fresh seafood to Little Caesars Arena patrons,” said Kathryn who also noted that their catering menu will soon be expanding for the holiday season.

Voted ‘Best Food Truck’ by Hour Magazine, The Lobster Food Truck is known for its lobster rolls, lobster grilled cheese, seafood mac-n-cheese and salmon fried rice: all of which will be offered at Little Caesars Arena.

“We received tremendous feedback from Tigers fans after welcoming local Black-owned businesses to Comerica Park this past season, and we’re excited to continue the initiative at Little Caesars Arena,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Our goal at our venues is to amaze, inspire and unite — and connecting our fans with incredible local restaurants is a way to do just that.”

In partnership with Delaware North, which operates concessions at Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena, several other Black-owned businesses will be present throughout the season.

The Lobster Food Truck is located at 10405 Ford Road Dearborn, MI 48126, and you can follow them at @thelobsterfoodtruck and TheLobsterFoodTruck.

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The atmosphere at Little Caesars Arena during any Detroit Red Wings game is electric, thanks to the unparalleled enthusiasm of Hockeytown fans and dynamic in-arena interactive experiences. This season, there’s even more entertainment for fans to enjoy with the addition of the Detroit Red Wings Drumline.

Comprised of 12 local men and women with a passion for entertainment, music and performing, the drumline’s first official performance was during the Hockeytown Red Carpet Walk festivities for the Red Wings 2022-23 season opener.

“I was a senior in 2008 when the Wings won the Stanley Cup, and that was huge. We made a little homemade Stanley Cup, and we marched around the city with it. I’ve just always loved hockey,” said Jonathan Elkins, a member of the drumline. “And to be able to drum at these games, with this organization and with the legacy that it has – that means a lot to me.”

Fans may also recall seeing the drumline last year, as the crew did a few test performances last season.

“We are always looking for new ways to connect with our incredible fans to create unforgettable in-game experiences at Little Caesars Arena, and the Red Wings Drumline is another way to deliver on that promise,” said Pete Skorich, Vice President of Entertainment Services & Broadcasting for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.

In addition to the red carpet performance, the Drumline also performed throughout The Via pre-game, and during a 2nd period timeout. The Drumline is set to perform about half of this season’s games and is open for bookings at other metro Detroit events. Check out the Detroit Red Wings Drumline in action, here:

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