The Detroit Tigers have selected RHP Jackson Jobe with the third overall pick in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

“We’ve been fortunate to scout and draft some great high school pitchers over the years, and Jackson ranks up there with some of the best we’ve seen,” Al Avila, Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said. “He pitches beyond his years, and we project him to be an impactful arm in our player development system, and eventually the Major Leagues. Though young pitching is one of our organizational strengths, we see the addition of Jackson as an important one as we continue building depth that will breed sustainable success in the long-term.”

Jobe is selected by the Tigers following four years at Heritage Hall High School, in Oklahoma City, OK. He recently completed a dominant senior season with the Chargers, posting a 9-0 record and 0.13 ERA over 51.2 innings, striking out 122 batters, walking just five, and throwing multiple no-hitters.

Following the 2021 season Jobe was named Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year, and the Prep Baseball Report Player of the Year. Jobe’s slider is ranked No. 1 in the class by MLB Pipeline, while Baseball America lists him has having the best breaking ball among high schoolers.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 190-pounds, Jobe has lived up to his ranking by Baseball America as the “Top Athlete” among high schoolers in the draft class. Not only has he excelled on the mound, but also in the batters box where he posted a .469 batting average with 13 doubles, 5 triples, 6 homers, and 37 RBI in 2021. Additionally, he was Heritage Hall’s starting quarterback during his sophomore and junior seasons, before COVID-19 abbreviated his career on the gridiron. Jobe averaged 82.3 passing yards per game over 11 games during his 2018 campaign, and 186.5 per game over six contests his junior year.

“Jackson is one of the most talented high schoolers we’ve scouted in years,” Scott Pleis, Tigers director of amateur scouting, said. “The stuff matches the power in his arsenal, and he does a great job at allowing his athleticism to show when on the mound. After months of input and discussion between our analytics, scouting and player development staffs, we all agreed that Jackson would be an excellent addition to our organization.”

Jackson is no stranger to pro sports, as his father, Brandt, has been a professional golfer since 1988 and is currently on the PGA Champions Tour. The elder Jobe has also played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and the Japan Golf Tour, winning tournaments such as the Principal Charity Classic (2017) and Boeing Classic (2019).

The Tigers will continue their 2021 MLB Draft with one more pick on opening night (32^nd), followed by nine picks on day two (rounds 2-10) and 10 selections on day three (rounds 11-20). It’s rare for Detroit to have this many picks early in the draft, owning three of the top 39 selections for the first time since 1987 (20, 21, 30).

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Little Caesars is asking customers to suspend their “disbeleaf” and declaring its new pizza with plant-based pepperoni to be unbelievably zesty, bold, and absolutely delicious. The chain is launching the Planteroni™ Pizza, made with the new Field Roast™ Plant-Based Pepperoni, to many of its stores across the United States starting today.

The new pizza option will be available at Little Caesars locations in the cities and suburbs of Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, and the chain’s hometown of Detroit. Customers can choose from a regular Planteroni™ Pizza for $8.49, a Slices-N-Sticks product consisting of half Planteroni™ Pizza and half cheesy, buttery tasting breadsticks for $8, or add Field Roast™ Plant-Based Pepperoni as a topping on any custom pizza.

“Planteroni™ delivers a plant-based version of the delicious flavor of America’s most popular pizza topping, and you need to taste it to believe it,” said Jeff Klein, chief marketing officer at Little Caesars. “This product is really going to surprise and delight our customers.”

Consumers have a growing appetite for plant-based protein options according to recent data, which shows that 69% of people would order plant-based meat. Little Caesars and the Field Roast™ brand are satisfying that craving with the Planteroni™ Pizza, a regular pizza made with plant-based pepperoni that delivers an authentic, bold pepperoni taste. Field Roast™ Plant-Based Pepperoni is the first pepperoni alternative on the market to be made with pea protein, not soy; it’s crafted with fresh spices including whole pieces of fennel, cracked black pepper, garlic and paprika. The Field Roast™ brand debuted the first-of-its-kind innovation earlier this year, making Little Caesars the first national pizza chain to offer it so broadly in the United States.

“This is a huge moment for pizza lovers because for the first time, they have access to a zesty, bold -plant-based pepperoni made with pea protein that absolutely delivers on taste,” said Dan Curtin, President of Greenleaf Foods, owner of the Field Roast™ brand. “We believe every occasion deserves bold, inspired flavors—we’re excited to work with Little Caesars to deliver on that promise.”

Customers can order their Planteroni™ Pizza for delivery using the Little Caesars app, or pre-pay and then conveniently collect their order using Pizza Portal™ pickup (a heated, self-service mobile order pickup station) at any participating Little Caesars Location in the selected markets.

For more information about Little Caesars, visit littlecaesars.com and follow @LittleCaesars on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Field Roast™, visit fieldroast.com and follow @FieldRoast on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

*Finished Pizza is not plant-based. Plant-based is limited to pepperoni ingredient only.

**Plus tax where applicable. Available at participating locations in select markets. Prices may vary. Prices higher in AK, HI, and third-party online sites.

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With Comerica Park now open at 100-percent capacity and summer in full swing, the Detroit Tigers will host “Detroit’s Biggest Summer Baseball Bash,” Presented by Miller Lite, on Saturday, July 17. This special event will bring together many of the favorite Tigers activities fans have missed during their time away from the ballpark — all while celebrating frontline heroes that’ve helped make this day possible.

The Tigers will host the Minnesota Twins that day at 6:10 p.m. Ticketed guests will be welcomed with free pregame autographs, a “Detroit Roots” T-shirt, presented by DTE Energy, for the first 10,000 fans in attendance, guest appearances among Detroit’s four professional sports teams and much more. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m., one hour earlier than normal for a home game day, allowing for full enjoyment of pregame attractions on the concourse and the chance to watch batting practice.

To celebrate the festive day, the Tigers have introduced an online $5 ticket package in select locations of the upper level of Comerica Park while supplies last at tigers.com/bash, coupon code SUMMER. Tickets are limited to 10 per purchase.

“We couldn’t be happier to start the second half of our season off with an event that brings together so many parts of the gameday experience that Tigers fans have loved for generations,” Ellen Hill Zeringue, Tigers vice president of marketing, said. “Whether it’s the gate giveaway, autographs from over a dozen Tigers alumni or seeing athletes and coaches from our other great local sports teams, we can’t wait to play host for Detroit’s Biggest Summer Baseball Bash on July 17.”

Upon entering the ballpark, fans will be welcomed by more than a dozen alumni players and coaches signing autographs on the concourse. Some of the most iconic teams in Tigers history will be represented, including the 1968 and 1984 World Series Championship teams, and the 2006 and 2012 American League Champions. Several alumni will also participate in a pregame question & answer session, with fans in attendance having the ability to ask questions of some all-time favorite Tigers.

Former Tigers players and coaches scheduled to sign autographs and/or take pregame fan photos are listed below, and are subject to change:

•             Mickey Lolich – 1968 World Series Champion

•             Tom Matchick – 1968 World Series Champion

•             Jon Warden – 1968 World Series Champion

•             Steve Kemp – 1979 American League All-Star

•             Juan Berenguer – 1984 World Series Champion

•             Howard Johnson – 1984 World Series Champion

•             Lance Parrish – 1984 World Series Champion

•             Dan Petry – 1984 World Series Champion

•             Dave Rozema – 1984 World Series Champion

•             Jim Leyland – 2006 and 2012 American League Champion

•             Craig Monroe – 2006 American League Champion

•             Phil Coke – 2012 American League Champion

•             Andy Dirks – 2012 American League Champion

•             Doug Fister – 2012 American League Champion

Detroit sports fans will also be treated with special appearances from the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions.

Also, hundreds of frontline and essential workers will be in attendance, and recognized in a special pregame ceremony for their hand in helping the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For additional details surrounding “Detroit’s Biggest Summer Baseball Bash,” Presented by Miller Lite, fans are encouraged to follow @Tigers on social media or visit tigers.com/bash.

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For their incredible work within the LGBTQ+ community, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings celebrate Kevin Heard, founder of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Mark Erwin, director of development and advancement at the Ruth Ellis Center, as the final Pride Month Game Changers honorees.

Kevin Heard founded the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce in 2013 with the mission to promote and empower Metropolitan Detroit LGBT, allied business members, non-profit members, corporate partners and their employees through leadership, advocacy and education. The chamber has since grown to have 16 corporate partners and over 100 members.  Heard currently works for Gannett | USA Today Network as diversity and engagement program manager, where he helps oversee Gannett’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.  

In his ten years at Ruth Ellis Center, Mark Erwin has brought significant visibility and resources to the crisis of LGBTQ youth homelessness through innovative events, collaborations, and partnerships. Under Erwin’s leadership, VOICES, the Center’s annual gala has become widely recognized as a signature LGBTQ+ event in Detroit, and has hosted guests such as Wanda Sykes, Lily Tomlin, Margaret Cho, Billy Porter, Jack Antonoff, and Sandra Bernhard, among others. Additionally, Erwin played a lead role in the development of the Ruth Ellis Health & Wellness Center, which has been highlighted in national case studies for its innovation and collaboration with Henry Ford Health System.

The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings have celebrated Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. Earlier this month, the Tigers and Red Wings selected Officer Dani Woods and Roz Keith, founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, as honorees.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings/Equality and Tigers.com/Equality.

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Olympia Development of Michigan, Cinnaire Solutions and the Detroit Public Schools Community District recently partnered with Project Destined to offer a real estate internship program for underserved youth in the city of Detroit.

Project Destined was launched in Detroit in 2016 with a focus on increasing the number of diverse owners and leaders in the commercial real estate industry. The social impact platform, now active across 20 markets, partners with corporations, schools and non-profits to train students in the fundamentals of commercial real estate. Students learn through immersive sessions where they analyze live deals with experienced architects, contractors, bankers and developers.

Recently, 11^th and 12^th grade Detroit students were able to learn the basics of real estate, business, investment and management. Interns built skills through training and analyzing live deals within the community while working with leading executives and companies in the industry. For their participation in the program, interns each earned $12 per hour, and competed for team-based prizes of more than $1,000.

“We appreciate that the Project Destined partnership focused on innovative real estate and technology programs combined with a paid internship,” said Alycia Meriweather, DPSCD deputy superintendent of partnerships. “This program extends our high school Career Academies and provides real-world opportunities for our students to gain professional experience. We envision that students participating in the program will become future leaders who drive Detroit’s comeback story with their work.”

Cedric Bobo, founder of Project Destined, said that “Detroit will always be home for Project Destined. We are extremely proud to partner with the Detroit Public Schools, Olympia Development and Cinnaire to prepare this incredible group of students for a career in commercial real estate.”  Bobo further said that “the real estate industry provides unparalleled opportunities for students to build a great career while also impacting their community and their city. This program will ensure that these students are ready to take on that challenge.”

See excerpts from these immersive sessions, featuring students and Olympia Development Construction and Architecture executives in a live question & answer session, in the video below.

Lucius Vassar, corporate counsel and executive vice president for equitable engagement at Cinnaire, said that “we believe DPSCD students are talented, uniquely gifted and a critical component to creating a healthier community.”  Vasser further added that “Cinnaire’s mission is to help advance communities and that programs like these help ensure that tomorrow’s return on today’s investment will be immeasurable.”  

Rian Barnhill, Olympia Development vice president of government and community affairs, said that “the real estate industry is a key driver of Detroit’s economy, and we want young Detroiters to play a significant role in building it.”  She further added that “this program is designed to help bridge the equality gap in an industry that requires diverse involvement for sustainable, equitable development for all.”

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To mark the arrival of summer, The District Detroit announced today that Columbia Street will host “The District Detroit Art Walks,” Presented by Pepsi. The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art — home to many of the city’s arts and cultural institutions — will curate this series of free events to be held on select Friday evenings throughout the summer and into the fall.

The District Detroit Art Walks will take place from 5-9 p.m. on July 9, August 6, August 27, Sept. 10 and Oct. 1. Admittance is free for guests of all ages, and $5 parking at the Fox Theatre Garage (50 West Montcalm Street) can be reserved in advance at DistrictDetroit.com. Jack Daniel’s, Founders Brewing Co. and Van Gogh Vodka will serve as supporting sponsors.

The District Detroit is also proud to partner with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to feature the amazing work of students enrolled in the Fine and Performing Arts program. Guests may view the students’ artistry along Montcalm Street near the pedestrian exit of the Fox Theatre Garage, as well as in front of the Fox Theatre on Woodward Avenue.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to stroll along Columbia Street — located between the iconic Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars Global Resource Center — while enjoying the artistic works of dozens of local artists at each event. Artwork will also be available for purchase. Deejays will entertain guests, and Frita Batidos Detroit will open for all five events, serving its brand of Cuban-inspired street food, as it prepares to fully reopen early this fall.  Alcoholic beverages will also be sold to attendees 21 years and over.

“We’re excited to welcome guests for The District Detroit Art Walks, and to partner with some incredible local artists,” Emily Neenan, chief marketing officer for the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and The District Detroit, said. “The creativity and spirit that makes Detroit uniquely great will be on display, and we’re looking forward to providing a special place for Detroiters and Michiganders to gather on some beautiful summer and fall evenings.”

For more information, including further details on the participating artists, follow @DistrictDetroit on Twitter and Instagram, TheDistrictDetroit on Facebook, or visit DistrictDetroit.com.

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Roz Keith is the founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, an organization dedicated to providing transgender youth and their families with the resources, support and community that they so desperately need and deserve. Because of the incredible work Roz has done within the LGBTQ+ community, she is being celebrated by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings as the second Pride Month Game Changers honoree.

Roz founded Stand with Trans after her child, then 13 years old, told Roz that they were transgender. It became clear, Roz said, that there was a lot that needed to be done regarding support and resources available to transgender youth and their families.

“When we made the decision as a family to start telling our story publicly, other families started coming out of the woodwork,” Roz said. “Other parents were saying: ‘I can relate to what you’re going through’ and ‘your son reminds me of my son.’ There was just this this outpouring of people who were in the same boat that we were in.”

“Often, the most impactful organizations begin similar to that of Roz and her family — turning a personal moment into a movement that ignites positive change,” Kevin Brown, Red Wings and Tigers director of community impact, said. “Stand with Trans is helping fill a need in our community by providing tools and connectivity that create an environment where transgender youth feel supported.”

Previously, the Red Wings and Comerica Bank have celebrated Game Changers for Black History Month and Women’s Appreciation Month. Now, the Tigers have joined the Red Wings and Comerica Bank to celebrate Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

Last week, the Tigers and Red Wings celebrated Officer Dani Woods as Pride Month Game Changers Honoree.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings/Equality and Tigers.com/Equality.

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Detroit’s historic Fox Office Building, consistently ranked among the best in the world, is a crown jewel of the city’s arts and entertainment heritage. Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Fox Office Building in 1987 and restored the theater to its original splendor in ‘88, making it once again a destination for Detroiters and visitors worldwide. Now three decades strong, Olympia Development of Michigan continues its stewardship of the historic building by hiring another family company headquartered in Detroit, Grunwell-Cashero, to help clean and restore the ornate terra cotta that gives the building’s exterior its unique presence.

Founded in 1953 by masonry specialist Fidell Cashero, Grunwell-Cashero has been serving the needs of the construction industry for more than 65 years with satellite offices in Cleveland and Toledo. Fidell was a master in masonry restoration, using proper materials and specialized techniques to restore buildings to their former glory.

“Grandpa used to say, ‘When we leave the building, it looks like we weren’t there,’” Jelane Cashero Raycraft, Grunwell-Cashero vice president and Fidell’s granddaughter, said. “His motto was to leave things in kind. He was a pioneer in that effort.”

Today, Grunwell-Cashero and their team of expert artisans are helping clean and restore the terra cotta to keep the integrity of the building’s façade to that of its original specifications. Learn more about Grunwell-Cashero and their specialized trade in the video below.

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Little Caesars, the Detroit-based global pizza chain, is celebrating its hometown’s signature square pizza style and sharing it with the nation at a discounted price in honor of the inaugural National Detroit-Style Pizza Day on June 23. For that day only, Little Caesars DEEP!DEEP! Dish will be available online for just $6 plus applicable tax with the promo code DetroitDeepDish at participating stores nationwide.

“Detroit-style deep dish pizza is one of the most unique and delicious pizza styles,” Jeff Klein, chief marketing officer for Little Caesars, said. “Little Caesars became the first national pizza chain to offer Detroit-style deep dish pizza in 2013. Today, we want to remind the country about the distinctive and delectable qualities of our hometown pizza style and give everyone a chance to try it at a great value.”

Little Caesars DEEP!DEEP! Dish is a large eight-corner pizza with a crispy-on-the-bottom, soft-and-chewy-on-the-inside crust, crunchy corners and caramelized cheese edges, topped with pepperoni and cheese.

National Detroit-Style Pizza Day was originally created by Detroit independent chain Buddy’s Pizza, which is credited with first serving square-shaped pizza in 1946 at its original location on the city’s east side. Little Caesars, the only national pizza chain headquartered in the city of Detroit, joins the tribute to recognize the iconic pizza style on this date.

Customers can order ahead and pre-pay via the Little Caesars app or website, then conveniently collect the order using the Pizza Portal® pickup or have it delivered.

Learn more and order online at LittleCaesars.com.