The pennant race heats up as Tigers host the division-rival White Sox and Indians during six-game homestand at Comerica Park

The Tigers return home from a three-game road trip as they host division rivals Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians during a six-game homestand at Comerica Park. The White Sox (August 31-September 2) and Indians (September 3-5) both make their final trips of the season to Detroit, each with a three-game series. Friday’s and Saturday’s games against the White Sox begin at 7:05 p.m., while Sunday’s game begins at 8:06 p.m. Monday’s contest against the Indians begins 1:05 p.m., while Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s contests begin at 7:05 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, August 31 – Chicago White Sox (Probables: Fister vs. Peavy) @ 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: Corporal David Morgan of the United States Marine Corps from Detroit, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has earned two Global War on Terrorism medals, an Afghanistan Campaign, Marine Good Conduct, Sea Service Deployment National Defense Service and NATO Afghanistan medals. He has proudly served in the Marines for five years.
·  Singer/songwriter and Michigan native, Jill Jack, will perform the national anthem. The national anthem will be recorded and included in the upcoming 2013 documentary Live Like There’s No Tomorrow, The Jill Jack Story. Multiple Emmy Award-winning director/producer Keith Famie of Visionalist Entertainment Productions takes us on an up close and personal journey of Michigan’s most well known female singer/songwriter, Jill Jack, as she attempts to break out into the national music scene.
·  Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Nicknamed, "The Hitman," Hearns became the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions.
·  Tigers great Willie Horton will sign copies of the updated edition of the book Willie Horton: The People’s Champion by Kevin Allen on the Comerica Park concourse near Gate A from 5:30-7:00 p.m.   
·   Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle continues at Comerica Park this season at every Friday and Saturday home game. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, has partnered with Health Emergency Lifeline Programs (HELP), a community-based organization that provides essential services to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in metro Detroit, 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 $88,672.50 for charity with the single largest one-game prize this season being $8,377.50.

Saturday, September 1 – Chicago White Sox (Probables: Scherzer vs. Liriano) @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·  Game Ball Delivery: Sergeant David Snyder of the Michigan Army National Guard from Shepherd, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from deployment after serving tours in Kuwait and Iraq and has proudly served for nearly nine years.   
·  The first 10,000 fans will receive a Miguel Cabrera 300th Home Run Commemorative Poster, courtesy of the Law Offices of Joumana B. Kayrouz P.L.L.C.
·  Saturday Night Fireworks, presented by Verizon, will take place following the game (weather permitting).
·  Detroit-based music group, Kaleido, will perform acoustic versions of their most popular songs during a pregame on-field performance. Additionally, Kaleido lead singer, Christina Chriss, will perform the national anthem.

Sunday, September 2 – Kids Day – Chicago White Sox (Probables: Verlander vs. Sale) @ 8:06 p.m. (Gates open at 6:30 p.m.)

All kids 14-and-younger will receive an “Every Kid, Every Sunday” Back to School Supply Case, courtesy of Great Clips.
·   Dan Ewald, former Media Relations Director for the Tigers, will be signing copies of his book Sparky and Me: My Friendship with Sparky Anderson and the Lessons He Shared About Baseball and Life from 6:30-8:00 p.m. near the Authentics kiosk. Copies of the book will be sold at the Authentics kiosk for $30 behind section 134.
·   Kindervision: In partnership with MLB, the Detroit Tigers will host members of the KinderVision organization to support their cause to "protect families through education via a unique, pro-active video-based program aimed at preventing child abduction and child exploitation." KinderVision representatives have a booth on the concourse and will disseminate valuable information about child safety. Prevention through education is the focus of the KinderVision program.
·   All Sunday home games are Kids Days at Comerica Park. All kids 14-and-younger will receive a free promotional item as part of the “Every Kid, Every Sunday” giveaway guarantee, can enjoy free rides courtesy of Kroger on the Comerica Bank Carousel or the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel, can take part in free face painting, have the chance to win a bicycle and are invited down to the field for Kids Run the Bases courtesy of Aquafina and Meijer following the game.

Monday, September 3 – Back to School Party - Cleveland Indians @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)

·   All kids 14-and-younger will receive a Gutzy Gear Backpack Strap Cover and a limited edition Detroit Tigers Patch, courtesy of Gutzy Gear.
·   Game Ball Delivery: Captain Joseph French of the Ohio Army National Guard from Maumee, Ohio will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from his first deployment to Afghanistan where he provided pastoral care to more than 800 soldiers and went on 83 missions. He has proudly served the Army National Guard for five years.   
·   Montford Point Marines Recognition: The Detroit Tigers will recognize local Veterans of the Montford Point Marines, who received Congressional Gold Medals in Washington D.C. on June 27.  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award presented by the United States government. The Montford Point Marines were the nation’s first African-American Marines, enduring segregation as they trained at a camp in North Carolina from 1942-1949 in preparation for World War II and other conflicts. About 420 Montford Point Marines are still living, with more than two dozen from Michigan.  About 370 survivors were in Washington to receive their Congressional Gold Medals. The medals presented to the Veterans read:  “Montford Point Marines 1942-1949.  For outstanding perseverance and courage that inspired social change in the Marine Corps.” The Veterans will be recognized on the video board prior to the national anthem.
·   Back to School Party: Come celebrate the beginning of the school year at the Detroit Tigers Back to School Party! All kids 14-and-younger will receive a Detroit Tigers Gutzy Gear Backpack Strap, courtesy of Gutzy Gear. As part of the Back to School Party, all children will be able to enjoy free rides courtesy of Kroger on the Comerica Bank Carousel or the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel. Additionally, kids can take part in free face painting and will be invited down to the field for a special Kids Run the Bases courtesy of Aquafina and Meijer following the game. Come join in the celebration!

Tuesday, September 4 – Cleveland Indians @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·   Olympic Swimming Bronze Medalist and Michigan native, Peter Vanderkaay, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
·   Willie Horton’s Batting For Kids Recognition: The 2012 Willie Horton’s Batting for Kids took place at Comerica Park on Tuesday, August 28. The annual baseball challenge hosted over 450 Detroit area youth in a youth baseball skills competition promoting the enrichment of youth and recreational sports. The baseball challenge provided an opportunity for youth to showcase their abilities as well as learn new skills during a free and fun-filled day at Comerica Park. Participating youth competed for awards in three different skill areas including batting, throwing and base running. The top boy and girl in each age division will be recognized during and on-field pregame ceremony along with the event sponsors.

Wednesday, September 5 – Cleveland Indians @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·  First 10,000 fans will receive a “Pink Out the Park” Rally Towel, courtesy of Kroger.
·  Pink Out the Park: This Wednesday, the Tigers along with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, will Pink out the Park to honor breast cancer survivors and support breast health awareness. In honor of the event, there will be a special pregame ceremony featuring representatives from Karmanos and survivors of breast cancer. The first 10,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a special pink rally towel. There will be pink decorations throughout the ballpark and all fans attending the game are encouraged to wear their pink in honor of Pink out the Park. 

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.