Comerica Park Is The Place To Be This Weekend
DETROIT – The Tigers return home from their 10-game road trip to begin a six-game homestand at Comerica Park tomorrow night. The New York Yankees (June 1-3) and Cleveland Indians (June 5-7) will both visit Comerica Park for the first time this season. First pitch on Friday against the Yankees is 7:05 p.m., Saturday is at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday is at 1:08 p.m. Games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Indians begin at 7:05 p.m., while the game on Thursday begins at 1:05 p.m.
Get your Tigers tickets for the 2012 season at Comerica Park now! Tickets are available at the Comerica Park Box Office, online at tigers.com and by phone at (866) 66-TIGER (84437). For complete ticket information including single game, season, group and suites visit tigers.com/tickets or call 313-471-BALL (2255).
Friday, June 1 – New York Yankees (Probables: Crosby vs. Sabathia) @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Pepsi, will take place following the game (weather permitting).
• Game Ball Delivery: Sergeant Abigail Brown of the Michigan Army National Guard from Adrian, Michigan will deliver the game ball. She has completed three deployments, with her most recent tour of duty in Afghanistan, and has proudly served for 12 years.
• 42nd Annual Polish American Night: Don't miss out on the Detroit Tigers' longest-running annual cultural celebration. The night of festivities will include live polka bands, on-field costumed Polish dance performances, festive decorations and Detroit's favorite mascot, PAWS, in traditional Polish attire! Ticket packages are no longer available.
• Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle returns to Comerica Park this season at every Friday and Saturday home game. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, has partnered with Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer, for Friday and Saturday's 50/50 Charity raffle. Tickets will be sold from the time gates open through the end of the second inning. 50/50 Charity Raffle volunteers in orange aprons will be stationed throughout the concourse on the 100 level, at entry gates and at the 50/50 raffle table near gate A to purchase raffle tickets. 50/50 Charity Raffle tickets are sold 3-for-$5. Each night a winner will be selected and announced after the sixth inning and will receive half of the funds collected through that game's raffle ticket sales. The remaining funds are shared between the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the select partner charity. To date, the Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle has raised $17,105.00 for charities.
Saturday, June 2 – New York Yankees (Probables: Porcello vs. Kuroda) @ 7:15 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Saturday Night Fireworks, presented by Verizon, will take place following the game (weather permitting).
• The first 10,000 fans to enter Comerica Park will receive a Darth Vader/Justin Verlander Fathead, courtesy of Belle Tire.
• The national anthem will be performed by the Motown legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, The Four Tops.
• Star Wars Night: Over 50 members of the Empire and the Rebel Alliance will take over Comerica Park this Saturday during Star Wars Night. Star Wars characters will roam the ballpark and greet fans at entrances including Princess Leia, Stormtroopers, Jedi, Darth Maul, Han Solo, R2-D2, C-3PO and Darth Vader, who will throw out the first pitch. Star Wars Night will also include a life-sized Tauntaun, photo backdrops and a pregame Star Wars parade featuring Star Wars music performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The celebration will be out of this world!
• Game Ball Delivery: Specialist Rob Moga of the Michigan Army National Guard from Carlton, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from his first deployment supporting Operation New Dawn in Kuwait and Iraq. He has received several awards and has proudly served for three years.
Sunday, June 3 – Kids Day – New York Yankees (Probables: Verlander vs. Hughes) @ 1:08 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
• All kids 14-and-younger will receive an "Every Kid, Every Sunday" Prince Fielder Poster, courtesy of Meijer.
• Michigan native and "The Voice" finalist Tony Lucca will perform the national anthem and God Bless America
• Magglio Ordoñez Retirement Ceremony: Former Detroit Tigers All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordoñez will announce his retirement in a special pregame ceremony this Sunday at Comerica Park. The ceremony will honor Ordoñez and his contributions to the Detroit Tigers. Dan Dickerson will emcee the ceremony, which will begin on the field at approximately 12:40 p.m. Ordoñez and his family will take part in the ceremony. Fans are encouraged to come out to Comerica Park early to pay tribute to Ordoñez. He will be available to the media at 11:00 a.m. in the Cigar Bar at Comerica Park on Sunday.
• Game Ball Delivery: Staff Sergeant Joe Polo of the Michigan Army National Guard from Holt, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He has served two deployments, including tours in Cuba and Kuwait. He has earned several awards and has proudly served for nearly 13 years.
Tuesday, June 5 – Cleveland Indians @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Detroit Pistons Guard Brandon Knight will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
• The Henry Ford Night: Tuesday is The Henry Ford Day at Comerica Park. Pregame activities will include historic baseball players from Greenfield Village and a street team distributing cheer cards. The Detroit Tigers are a promotional partner with The Henry Ford and annually sponsor the Historic Baseball Program at Greenfield Village. As part of the partnership, The Henry Ford offers members a 50% discount on Upper Box tickets for The Henry Ford Night and on September 18 vs. Oakland. Members can show their The Henry Ford membership card at the Comerica Park Box Office window to receive the discount (no telephone or online sales).
• Game Ball Delivery: Specialist Ali AlAmary of the Army National Guard from Lawrenceville, Georgia will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from his second deployment to Kuwait where he serves as a linguist and interpreter. He has proudly served for three years.
Wednesday, June 6 – Cleveland Indians @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Deal of the Day: The Detroit Tigers are partnering with FOX Sports Detroit for an exclusive in-game ticket offer. Get Mezzanine tickets for this Wednesday's game versus Cleveland for only $10 or Lower Baseline Box Seats for only $20! Visit tigers.com/deal for more information.
Thursday, June 7 – Cleveland Indians @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
• All kids 14-and-younger will receive a PAWS Mask, courtesy of Health Plus Health Plans.
• 18th Annual Detroit Tigers G.R.E.A.T. Day: The Tigers were the first professional sports team to commit to the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, and have dedicated one game since 1992 to G.R.E.A.T. This year, 1,000 Detroit area middle school students who have graduated from or are currently receiving lessons under the 13-week program will attend the game to celebrate their achievements in avoiding destructive behaviors. The students work with law enforcement agencies and educators to learn the importance of becoming responsible members of their communities by setting goals, resisting peer pressures, learning how to resolve conflicts and understanding how gangs negatively impact the quality of their life. Tigers First Base Coach Tom Brookens will address the youth of G.R.E.A.T. prior the game. Through the G.R.E.A.T. program, approximately 70,000 Michigan youth have received instruction from city, county, state and federal law enforcement officers throughout Michigan since its inception in 1992.
• Aquafina School Incentive and Reward Program: This season, the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, and Aquafina have teamed up to donate over 10,000 tickets to area schools to reward students for a variety of achievements, including serving on the safety patrol squad and maintaining perfect attendance for a marking period.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
Verlander's Victory for Veterans: When Justin Verlander takes the mound at Comerica Park, he strives for victory. This season, his outings on the hill take on a new meaning. For each of his home starts, Verlander will host Veterans from the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These Veterans sustained injuries or illness in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Veterans along with their families cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of Verlander's personal luxury suite. After serving our country, the special day provides American veterans the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game with their family. All guests receive a Verlander's Victory for Veterans T-shirt and are welcomed on the video board during the game. Veterans also receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander. When you see Verlander on the mound, he is not only playing for his team and Tigers fans around the world, he is also playing for America's heroes.
