Tigers to celebrate Opening Day, presented by Rocket Mortgage, on Friday at Comerica Park

April 6th, 2022

For the first time since 2019, the Detroit Tigers will welcome a capacity crowd to Comerica Park for Opening Day, Presented by Rocket Mortgage, this Friday, April 8 against the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m. The club today announced several ways to celebrate the start of baseball for fans heading to The District Detroit, both on the exterior of Comerica Park for Detroit’s Biggest Party, and inside the ballpark leading up to first pitch.

  • Detroit native and 12-time Grammy winner Jack White to perform National Anthem before flyover
  • Tigers to celebrate the life of Kimera Bartee; son Amari Bartee to throw out ceremonial first pitch
  • Taylor North Little League World Series championship team to be recognized
  • Miller Lite Tailgate to be hosted in McLaren Garage Plaza and along Witherell Street outside Comerica Park

Tigers fans have shown their excitement and anticipation for the 2022 Tigers season, with just standing room only tickets remaining for Opening Day. Great seats for the remainder of Opening Week, featuring home games against the White Sox on Saturday, April 9 and for Chevy Sunday Kids Day on April 10, are available at tigers.com/tickets. The Boston Red Sox will also visit Comerica Park for a three-game series that begins on Monday, April 11.

ARRIVE EARLY!

Gates to Comerica Park will open early for Opening Day, promptly at 10:30 a.m. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2022 Season Magnet Schedule, Presented by Rocket Mortgage. Live music, photo opportunities, the Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Raffle and much more will greet Tigers fans as they enter the concourse area.

Fans can take advantage of the Miller Lite Home Run Happy Hour – located on the Pepsi Porch – from 10:30 a.m. until Noon. Select concession items will cost just $5, including 16 oz. domestic beers, Pepsi products, hot dogs, and more.

At the Chevrolet Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. until noon, fans can also purchase $5 16 oz. domestic beer, in addition to a signature cocktail.

Tigers fans are reminded that all tickets at Comerica Park are now digital. Fans are encouraged to download tickets to their digital wallet before leaving home to ensure seamless entry into the ballpark. All bags, purses and clutches are prohibited. Only wallets sized 4” x 6” x 1.5” or smaller are permitted. Parking can be reserved in advance on ParkWhiz.com.

INTRODUCTIONS OF 2022 DETROIT TIGERS GET PREGAME FESTIVITIES STARTED

One of the memorable traditions on Opening Day each season is the individual introductions of the Tigers players, coaches and support staff. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:40 p.m. to root on the team for the first time in 2022.

JACK WHITE TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTER FLYOVER

Singer/songwriter Jack White and his band will perform an instrumental version of the National Anthem on Opening Day, capping off what will be an unforgettable pregame ceremony. White’s performance will be followed by a flyover at Comerica Park featuring four A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthog” aircrafts from the 107th Fighter Squadron, and part of the 127th Wing located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

White is a Detroit native and a Cass Technical High School graduate who has won 12 Grammy Awards. It will mark his first time performing the National Anthem, and kick off a year of touring for White’s new album, “Fear of the Dawn.”

TIGERS TO HONOR KIMERA BARTEE’S FAMILY; AMARI BARTEE TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH

Prior to the National Anthem and flyover, Tigers fans will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the late Kimera Bartee and his family in a pregame tribute at approximately 12:50 p.m. Bartee, Detroit’s first base coach during the 2021 season and a former Tigers player, tragically passed away on Dec. 20, 2021. He was just 49 years old.

The Tigers will introduce Bartee’s family and hold a moment of silence. Amari Bartee, the son of Kimera, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Tigers and White Sox taking the field.

LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPION TAYLOR NORTH BASEBALL TEAM TO BE RECOGNIZED

The Taylor North Little League team, which captured the hearts of Michiganders and won the Little League World Series last August, will once again be recognized at Comerica Park prior to Friday’s game. Cam Thorning, a standout slugger on the team, will deliver the game ball to the pitcher’s mound before both teams take the field. Taylor North is the first Michigan team to win the Little League World Series championship since Hamtramck accomplished the feat in 1959.

MILLER LITE OPENING DAY TAILGATE OUTSIDE COMERICA PARK

The Tigers are excited to host the first-ever Miller Lite Opening Day Tailgate from 9 a.m. until first pitch in the McLaren Garage Plaza and along Witherell Street outside Comerica Park. The event will feature a band, DJ, interactive games, $5 16 oz. domestic beer, photo stations and additional corporate partnership initiatives.

Fans are also encouraged to stop by Frita Batidos Detroit and Union Assembly on Columbia Street, Tin Roof across from Comerica Park, and Hockeytown Café for pregame food and beverage options in the heart of The District Detroit.