The team behind Four Man Ladder Management (“Four Man Ladder”) is excited to announce that they have been selected by Olympia Development of Michigan to operate an all-new dining concept in the former Eddystone Hotel. Four Man Ladder will begin interior construction of the street-level establishment later this year.

The Four Man Ladder team owns and operates Grey Ghost and Second Best on Watson Street in Midtown. The operation includes Chefs John Vermiglio and Joe Giacomino, along with Will Lee (Beverage Director) and Michael Gray (Director of Operations).

“On the heels of the fifth anniversary of our flagship restaurant Grey Ghost, we are extremely excited to embark on our third venture and to partner with Olympia Development on this special opportunity. As we look to continue the expansion of our family of restaurants, the Eddystone concept immediately stood out to us as a great opportunity given the beautiful architecture of the building and the location within The District Detroit. We are looking forward to starting construction and sharing more details as we progress,” said Chef John Vermiglio.

Restoration of the historic Eddystone continues to move swiftly and will bring 92 apartments with 20 percent set aside as affordable units, just steps from Little Caesars Arena. Four Man Ladder and Olympia Development are partnering to build out a 5,000 square foot restaurant comprising 85 seats split between the dining room, bar and lounge.

“We have been very impressed by how the Four Man Ladder team has operated Grey Ghost Detroit and Second Best over the years and are really happy to have them as partners in this project in The District Detroit,” said Stefan Stration, Vice President of Development.

Concept, design and menu details will be announced later this year with a projected grand opening of spring of 2022.

‍

KultureCity, an organization recognized nationwide for using resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs, has named Little Caesars Arena the 2021 Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year. The award was presented at the KultureBALL in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, August 21.  

All events hosted at Little Caesars Arena are sensory inclusive, and promote an accommodating and positive experience for guests and fans with sensory needs. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions.

In addition to Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, Fox Theatre, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre are all KultureCity certified.

“Providing a comfortable and inclusive experience for fans and guests is a top priority at all of our venues,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.  “We support KultureCity’s tremendous mission and look forward to partnering with them for years to come.”

Through the certification process, event staff are trained by leading medical professionals to recognize guests and fans with sensory needs and how best to handle sensory overload situations. Those overwhelmed by the environment may be provided with sensory bags equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads. Access to quieter and more secure environments are also available.  

“Our communities shape our lives and it’s been so enlightening to see Little Caesars Arena go the extra mile to ensure an inclusive and adaptable environment,” said Uma Srivastava, Executive Director of KultureCity. “We’re honored to partner with Olympia Entertainment, and are excited that Little Caesars Arena is the honoree of the 2021 Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year.”  Former Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year award winners include Atlanta’s State Farm Arena in 2019, Orlando’s Camping World Stadium in 2018 and Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena in 2017.

‍

Yesterday, 11-time All-Star Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers became the 28th player in the history of Major League Baseball to record his 500th career home run. The two-time American League Most Valuable Player and 2012 AL Triple Crown winner joined the exclusive list with a 400-foot blast against pitcher Steven Matz of the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning. Cabrera, the first player in his Club’s long history to reach this milestone as a Tiger, extended his all-time home run record among all Venezuelan players.

Watch the many memorable home runs Miggy hit through the years.

To congratulate Cabrera on this historic feat, MLB has released a MAKE IT MAJOR spot that includes music featuring Cabrera himself and Venezuelan artist Sibilino. Throughout the season, MLB has highlighted MAKE IT MAJOR moments in baseball which are major impact moments that excite and inspire us.

Click here for the :30 Miguel Cabrera MAKE IT MAJOR spot: Link

HAZLO GRANDE (Spanish version): Link

Cabrera, who has the eighth highest career batting average among players entering their 500th home run at-bat (per the Elias Sports Bureau), joins Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols as the only active players who are members of the 500 home run club.

Cabrera is less than 50 hits away from the 3,000th of his 19-year career, which also includes a World Series Championship during his rookie season with the 2003 Florida Marlins. During that Fall Classic, Cabrera hit a home run against seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. The 38-year-old Cabrera led the Tigers to four consecutive Postseasons from 2011-2014, including the 2012 AL Championship. Cabrera is among the leaders of active players (min. 800 games played) in many offensive categories, including first in batting average (.311); second in hits (2,955), doubles (591), home runs (500), RBI (1,785) and runs scored (1,498); third in walks (1,192); and fifth in on-base percentage (.388) and slugging percentage (.534). Cabrera is currently cochairing the Protect Michigan Commission, helping inform Michiganders on the importance of getting their COVID-19 vaccinations.

‍

On August 14, the Detroit Tigers, in their game against the Cleveland Indians, welcomed 32,845 fans to Comerica Park – their largest crowd of the 2021 season – for the 16^th annual ¡Fiesta Tigres! Celebration.

The celebration, which recognizes and honors the contributions of Hispanic and Latin American players and coaches to the game of baseball, featured live entertainment on the concourse, Latin-themed décor and displays, and foods and drink that represents Latin American culture.   Pre– and in-game programming paid homage to current and former players and coaches of Latin American descent, and, the first 10,000 fans that entered Comerica Park received a complimentary Tigres replica jersey, courtesy of Miller Lite.

Prior to the game, the Tigers and Nike came together to provide a special day to 30 youth softball players from the Clark Park Coalition, a recreational center offering sport, enrichment, and vital resources to families of southwest Detroit.

The softball ball players, ages 6 and older, were from the “Lady Diamonds” and “Diamond Girls” programs, where they receive introductory instruction and recreational play opportunities.  Their day began with a trip to the Detroit-based Nike Community Store, with each player receiving, courtesy of Nike, a bag of complimentary merchandise as well as $100 to spend on additional merchandise.  

After, the softball players, their coaches and families arrived early at Comerica Park and were greeted by Tigers infielder Jeimer Candelario. The young players were then able to watch Detroit’s batting practice, participate in the pregame ceremony honoring current and former Hispanic players, coaching and executive staff, and cheer the Tigers on to victory.

“With special thanks to Nike, the Tigers were happy to provide a memorable day to these young athletes as part of our ¡Fiesta Tigres! Celebration,” said Kevin Brown, Director of Community Impact for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.  “We are pleased that youth baseball continues to thrive in southwest Detroit’s vibrant Clark Park community as we help ensure sports access, experiences and resources for children throughout Detroit.”

To learn more about the Latin American influence on the Tigers’ current 40-man roster, visit the Equality page on tigers.com for a feature story available in both Spanish and English.

Olympia Development of Michigan has selected Hayman Company as property manager for the historic Eddystone. Hayman’s responsibility will include marketing and outreach to attract and retain renters, as well as overall building management.

The 13-story, Italian Renaissance-style Eddystone hotel was first opened in the 1920s. Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units will be available when restoration of the former hotel is complete later this year. In total, there will be 92 residential units, twenty percent of which will be reserved as affordable housing.

“The Hayman Company team will be a great partner to bring to life the vision we have for this historic property within The District Detroit,” said Stefan Stration, Vice President of Development for Olympia Development of Michigan. “As a local company with national experience, Hayman understands the property’s significance, and the needs of the residents who will call it home.”

Hayman has extensive experience in affordable housing management.

“Our team is really looking forward to managing the Eddystone with the high standards of excellence and customer service which this treasure deserves,” said Andrew Hayman, President of Hayman Company. “We understand the significance of the Eddystone and are committed to facilitating a dynamic and high quality of life for Detroiters who choose to live in it.”

In addition to being located in the heart of The District Detroit (adjacent to the award-winning Little Caesars Arena and nestled between Woodward and Cass Avenues), the Eddystone will feature a number of resident-pleasing amenities. Tenants will benefit from a private lobby, which will be staffed 24 hours a day, custom artwork, an exercise room as well as a dog wash station for pets. A unique bar and dining experience is anticipated for the street-level space.

The Eddystone will join other recent additions to The District Detroit, including the eye-catching new construction building at 2715 Woodward. Later this year, the former Women’s City Club, located in the Park Avenue Historic District, is expected to open, and construction is expected to begin at Bagley Development Group’s Residences@150. Pre-development planning continues on the proposed Henry Street redevelopment of seven historic buildings. 2

Rental information for the Eddystone will be available soon.

‍

Chris Ilitch, on behalf of the Detroit Tigers organization, participated in an event acknowledging the start of renovation work on historic Hamtramck Stadium, one of only five Negro League ballparks still in existence. The stadium, where at least 18 future members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame played, was once home to the Detroit Stars and the Detroit Wolves of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

The renovations are possible through a contribution of $2.6 million by Wayne County, The Detroit Tigers Foundation (an affiliate of Ilitch Charities), Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, Michigan Municipal League Foundation, and the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy through an African American Civil Rights grant as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

The event featured representation of baseball’s past, present and future:

• Joyce Stearnes Thompson and Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown, daughters of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, performed the National Anthem.
  
• Current Detroit Tigers Akil Badoo and Derek Hill attended, as did former players Willie Horton, Jake Wood and Ike Blessit, as well as former Detroit Star Ron Teasley.
  
• And members of the Tiny Tigers team, all young players between 4-8 years old, laid the bases down on the field, with a little help from Badoo and Hill.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

The renovations will breathe new life into the facility, as well as celebrate and preserve an important part of American history.  Speaking at the event, Chris Ilitch said “Restoring this historic ballpark is about restoring hope. It’s a commitment we are making to the young players in this community that this game is accessible to all, and to those who played at the stadium, that their history and contributions to the game of baseball matter and will never be forgotten.”

More about the stadium can be seen in this video.

The event at Hamtramck Stadium followed the Detroit Tigers Negro Leagues Weekend annual celebration at Comerica Park, which honored the Detroit Stars and the history of Negro Leagues Baseball.

‍

Joyce Stearnes Thompson and Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown

Union Joints proudly announced that Union Assembly, the flagship restaurant and bar at Columbia Street and Woodward Avenue in The District Detroit, is opening later this year.

The newest Union Joint spans two stories and features a second-floor lounge, indoor/outdoor bar and a three-season terrace that overlooks Woodward Avenue and Comerica Park. Guests can also enjoy seasonal street-side patio dining on Columbia Street.

Union Assembly has recruited District Chef Mara Jaffe and Chef de Cuisine Philip Vernier to return to Michigan to lead Union Joints’ latest culinary endeavors. Chef Jaffe, a Roeper and Cornell hospitality program grad, is coming home after stints in Dubai, Nantucket and California. Chef Vernier is returning to Michigan after hitting Portland for culinary school and overseeing a myriad of highly-respected kitchens in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

As is the case with every Union Joint, co-owner Ann Stevenson designed the space. Royal Oak-based von Staden Architects handled the multi-level architectural duties. The inviting space features exuberant and lively multi-tiered activations that allow for everything from cozy nook moments to large-scale private dining in a dedicated room with terrace access. As principal of ann stevenson studio, Stevenson integrated items uniquely procured and destined for this new joint on Woodward.

Chefs Jaffe and Vernier have built Union Assembly’s menu around an evolved comfort food with inventive and elevated ingredients. Whether for full-tilt dinner or quick game day snacks, diners will enjoy new American offerings alongside longstanding group staples (like the Most-Macked Mac & Cheese and deck-fired Detroit style pies) that use local provisions and ingredients. The always unpretentious, slightly throwback and honest homey cooking that Joints is known for is elevated a few notches—and influenced with fresh vegetarian and gluten free options—under the direction of Chefs Jaffe and Vernier.

The beverage program has been developed by Jeremy Bazely, who returned to the Union Joints family after two decades away with stints in Madison, Austin and Brooklyn.  The cocktail program will be both inventive and approachable and will serve as a natural extension of the canned cocktails Joints launched over the past year. Union Assembly is under the purview of District Manager Shane Collier. Besides bringing all he’s learned in his 26 year career with Joints, Collier is also bringing the talented Jessica Birdsey from Honcho in Clarkston to serve as UA’s General Manager.

Owned by the duo of Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson along with managing partner Erich Lines, Union Joints is a 26-year-old independent restaurant group that owns and operates the Clarkston Union, Union General, Union Woodshop, Vinsetta Garage (with partner KC Crain), Fenton Fire Hall, Pumphouse Custard, Honcho (with outposts at DTE Energy Music Theatre and Ford Field), Gran Castor and Bunkhouse Burgers.

Union Joints is currently hiring for every position. Visit joinjoints.com for more information.

The Detroit Tigers will host the 18^th annual Negro Leagues Weekend, Presented by Comerica Bank, from July 30-Aug. 1, when the Baltimore Orioles visit Comerica Park. This annual tradition marks the longest-running weekend celebration of its kind in Major League Baseball.

“Paying homage to the tradition and legacy of Negro Leagues Baseball is something the Tigers are incredibly humbled to support every year,” Chris Granger, group president, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., said. “The history of the Detroit Stars and the stories of Negro Leaguers in Detroit and Hamtramck are legendary, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them, their families and our community at Comerica Park this weekend.”

“Recognizing and celebrating the positive impact the Negro Leagues and the Detroit Stars made on baseball and in Detroit remains one of Comerica’s most cherished events of the year,” Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank Vice President and Southeast Michigan External Affairs Manager, said. “For nearly two decades, Comerica has valued its partnership with the Detroit Tigers in helping preserve the legacy of the Negro Leagues. Together, we can reflect on history and appreciate the influence the Negro Leagues have made on today’s generation and on many more in the future.”  

The Negro Leagues Weekend celebration will begin Wednesday, July 28, when Bally Sports Detroit and the Tigers present a screening of “The Other Boys of Summer,” a documentary portraying the history of segregation and civil rights in America through the eyes of the Negro League baseball players, at Campus Martius Park at 7 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early to enjoy the many activities that are planned throughout Negro Leagues Weekend. DJ Mo Beatz, Big Sean’s official DJ, will perform on the Pepsi Porch prior to all three games. A “Walk of Stars,” inspired by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will be set up to highlight the achievements of former Detroit Stars players. Norman “Turkey” Stearnes’ Michigan Sports Hall of Fame plaque will also be on display, and much more.

Negro Leagues Weekend festivities will include:

Friday, July 30 (7:10 p.m. first pitch)

• Before the game, the annual “Passing of the Bat” ceremony will be held on the Comerica Park field, celebrating African American baseball players and their contributions to the game. The ceremony features a symbolic “torch passing” from a former Negro Leagues player to several generations of former and current African American Tigers players. The bat is then presented to a local youth baseball player, with Detroit Country Day’s Saborn Campbell serving as this year’s recipient.
• The National Anthem will be performed by Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown and Joyce Stearnes Thompson, daughters of Negro Leagues great and National Baseball Hall of Fame member Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. A member of the Stearnes family will also throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Saturday, July 31 (6:10 p.m. first pitch)

• The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Detroit Stars Fedora Hat, courtesy of Comerica Bank. Gates will open to Comerica Park at 4:30 p.m.
• Seven former Negro Leagues players and historians will participate in a Q&A session on the concourse prior to the game. Former Negro Leaguers will include Johnny Walker, Minnie Forbes, Ron Teasley, Pedro Sierra, Eugene Scruggs, Sam Allen and Bill Hill.
• The winner of the Summer Slugger program — a partnership between the Tigers and Comerica Bank — will be recognized in a pregame on-field ceremony. This year’s contest challenges students across the state of Michigan to write an essay discussing the legacy of African American baseball players in Tigers history.
• Former Negro League players will also be recognized in a pregame commemoration that will celebrate Major League Baseball’s 2020 formal announcement of adopting Negro Leagues statistics into baseball history.
• The Tigers will host HBCU/Greek Night in partnership with Detroit-area alumni associations and Black Greek Letter organizations, including a ticket package with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Detroit HBCU Network.

Sunday, Aug. 1 (1:10 p.m. first pitch)

• The Tigers will honor the 60th anniversary of Jake Wood’s MLB debut, the first African American player to rise through the farm system and play for Detroit. Wood will also toss the ceremonial first pitch.
• The Players Alliance, a non-profit organization composed of more than 150 Black current and former professional baseball players, will visit Comerica Park as part of the “Gear for Good Caravan.” Representatives from the Alliance will be donating new baseball equipment to youth players in attendance from the Flint RBI program.
• Youth players from Flint RBI will be invited to serve as “Detroit Stars of the Game” and participate in a pregame on-field ceremony.

The Tigers will honor the Detroit Stars teams of the Negro Leagues by wearing a jersey patch on their sleeves for Saturday’s game. The celebrated tradition of wearing tribute uniforms will resume next season for the 19th annual event. Tony Dee’s Negro Leagues Baseball Store on the Comerica Park concourse will sell popular Negro Leagues merchandise.

The Tigers’ celebration of Negro Leagues Weekend follows the recent announcement of the restoration of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, once home of the Detroit Stars. The $2.6 million project is being funded by Wayne County, the Detroit Tigers Foundation (an affiliate of Ilitch Charities), Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, Michigan Municipal League Foundation, the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy and through an African American Civil Rights grant as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

Hamtramck Stadium opened in 1930 and was home to several Negro League, semi-pro, high school and Little League teams throughout its history. In their first season playing at Hamtramck Stadium in 1930, the Detroit Stars won the second-half Negro National League title before losing the Championship Series to St. Louis in seven games. At least 17 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame played at Hamtramck Stadium, including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Turkey Stearnes. The stadium has been largely unused since the 1990s.

Work on the project, which will include installing a new roof above the grandstand, restoring the seating and the brick exterior, and installing accessible seating, is expected to begin later this summer with an anticipated completion by the end of 2021.

For more information about the history of African American players in the Detroit Tigers organization, visit tigers.com/africanamericanheritage. Limited tickets for all three games during Negro Leagues Weekend, starting at just $10, are currently available at tigers.com/tickets.

The Detroit Red Wings have released their schedule for the 2021–‘22 season — the team’s 96th overall in the National Hockey League. The Red Wings will open the season at home on Thursday, Oct. 14 versus the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Little Caesars Arena will host 17 weekend home games (four Fridays, 10 Saturdays and three Sundays), spanning through the regular-season finale on April 29 on the road at the New Jersey Devils.

This season’s 82-game slate, which includes a 20-day break spanning from Feb. 3-22 for the NHL All-Star Game and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, features 26 games against Atlantic Division rivals, three games against the eight teams in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division (24 games) and two games against all 16 Western Conference foes (32 games).

The Home Opener kicks off a home-friendly start to the season for the Red Wings, with four straight games hosted at Little Caesars Arena to open the campaign. The month of October also features the first of 14 back-to-back games on the season, with the Red Wings taking on two Original Six foes on the road (Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, Oct. 23 and Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, Oct. 24).

Detroit will play four of its last six games on the road, culminating with the 2021–‘22 regular season finale on Friday, April 29 at the New Jersey Devils.

See the full schedule at DetroitRedWings.com.

Game times and ticket on-sale information for the preseason and regular season will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can sign up for the Single-Game Ticket Presale List to have an opportunity to purchase tickets before the public by visiting DetroitRedWings.com/Presale.

‍