Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Tigers to host Indians, Angels and White Sox during 10-game homestand at Comerica Park

Homestand features Jackie Robinson Day, April in the "D" giveaway gloves and Torii Hunter mini-bat for all kids!

DETROIT - The Tigers return to Comerica Park from a five-game roadtrip to begin a 10-game homestand on tomorrow night. The Tigers will open up the homestand against the Cleveland Indians (April 15-17), while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will visit for a weekend series (April 18-20) and the homestand concludes with four games against the Chicago White Sox (April 21-24). First pitch for Tuesday and Wednesday's games against Cleveland will be at 7:08 p.m. and the series concludes with a 1:08 p.m. game on Thursday. Friday's game against the Angels starts at 7:08 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday's contests begin at 1:08 p.m. First pitches for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday against the White Sox are at 7:08 p.m. and the homestand concludes with a day game on Thursday at 1:08 p.m.

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 season, group and suites visit tigers.com/tickets or call 313-471-BALL (2255).

APRIL DYNAMIC DEALS
New for 2014, the Detroit Tigers are offering "Dynamic Deals" for select games in April. Fans can enjoy discounts on tickets to see the Tigers battle their AL Central Division rivals at home. For more information, visit tigers.com/tickets.

Tuesday, April 15 vs. Cleveland Indians at 7:08 p.m. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m. (Probables: RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Zach McAllister)

  • Jackie Robinson Day Detroit Tigers Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry Contest and Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award (MLB): In keeping the memory of Jackie Robinson alive and celebrating the 67th Anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers hosted the 18th Annual Detroit Tigers Jackie Robinson Art, Essay and Poetry Contest. Torii Hunter, Austin Jackson and Rajai Davis are scheduled to join contest winners and Jackie Robinson Foundation Alumni and Scholars from the University of Michigan as they are honored during a special pre-game ceremony on the field at Comerica Park. The contest was open to middle and high school students from the Detroit metropolitan area. Students entered the contest by submitting an original essay, poem or work of art in honor of Jackie Robinson. The winners of the contest are:

ART

  • Amanda Auten of Britten, 7th grade, Britton Deerfield Schools
  • Jawan Davis of Detroit, 10th grade, Denby High School

ESSAY

  • Ryan Chatterjee of Rochester Hills, 7th grade, Reuther Middle School
  • Joel Tedone of Woodhaven, 9th grade, Riverview Community High School

POETRY

  • Annie Gibbs of Rochester Hills, 7th grade, Reuther Middle School
  • Olivia Upham of Oxford, 9th grade, Oxford High School
  • Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award: In 1998, Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, authorized the creation of the Diverse Business Partners program, an economically driven business initiative established to cultivate new and existing partnerships with minority- and women-owned businesses, by increasing opportunities for minorities and women to participate in the procurement activities of Major League Baseball.  Brandon J. Bordeaux, Chairman and COO of Caravan Facilities Management, LLC is presented the Jackie Robinson Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner award (MVDBP) during a special pre-game on-field ceremony. Caravan Facilities Management, LLC is a proven performer in the Facilities Management field, providing facilities management services to industries around the globe for nearly two decades. Through the utilization of innovative and integrated technologies combined with our process management systems, Caravan Facilities Management consistently provides superior quality to its customers. The Detroit Tigers have partnered with Caravan Facilities Management since 2012.  
  • Wearing 42: In honor of Jackie Robinson, all on-field personnel from both the Tigers and Indians will don Jackie Robinson's #42.

Wednesday, April 16 vs. Cleveland Indians at 7:08 p.m. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m. (Probables: LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP Danny Salazar)

  • The first 10,000 fans will receive April in the "D" Gloves, courtesy of FOX Sports Detroit.
  • The first pitch will be thrown out by 2013 Women's National Match Racing Champions Sandi Svoboda and Krista Paxton.

Thursday, April 17 vs. Cleveland Indians at 1:08 p.m. Gates Open at 11:00 a.m. (Probables: RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Justin Masterson)

  • Journalism Day: Prior to the game thousands of students from around the Detroit metropolitan community will have the unique opportunity to hear from professionals in and around the sports industry prior to a Tigers game. As a part of the Tigers Class Outside Series today, students will have the chance to hear from journalists about their experiences and challenges covering baseball and other sports.
  • Aquafina School Incentive Days: During six select games this season, the Tigers and Aquafina will host over 10,000 students from local schools to reward them for being a member of their school's safety patrol or having perfect attendance for a marking period. On April 17, 24 and May 8 as part of the School Incentive and Reward Program, a total of 3,000 orange bucket hats will be given away to students courtesy of Aquafina.  
  • 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 hosts Veterans from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers throughout the state of Michigan. 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. Veterans share 18 luxury suite tickets and parking passes in the Tigers Parking Garage. Food and beverage is provided for the guests courtesy of Verlander. Veterans receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander and a Verlander's Victory for Veterans t-shirt. 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. 

Friday, April 18 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 7:08 p.m. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m.

  • Autism Awareness: The Detroit Tigers have partnered with Major League Baseball and Jack's Place for Autism to raise awareness of autism. The goal of the program is to heighten awareness among baseball fans of autism and the necessary research for treatment and a possible cure. The efforts are focused in April, Autism Awareness month. Representatives from Jack's Place for Autism along with beneficiaries of Jack's Place will have an informational table on the concourse April 15-24 and will be featured in a pre-game ceremony on the field at Comerica Park.
  • Game Ball Delivery: Tonight's game ball will be delivered by Second Lieutenant Joshua Hurst of the United States Army from Canton, Mich. Second Lieutenant Hurst recently returned from his first deployment in Afghanistan. During this deployment, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge. Second Lieutenant Hurst has proudly served the Army for one year.

Saturday, April 19 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 1:08 p.m. Gates Open at 11:00 a.m.

  • Wilson Defensive Award: Prior to the game, Tigers outfielder, Austin Jackson will be recognized for being named the Tigers top defensive player in 2013 by Wilson.
  • Lineup Card Delivery: The Detroit Tigers will host the future skipper of the USS Detroit, Commander Michael Wohnhaas to deliver the line-up card and be introduced to the fans at Comerica Park. Commander Wohnhaas is the Prospective Commanding Officer of USS DETROIT (LCS 7). He will be the first Commanding Officer of the sixth naval ship to be named for the great city of Detroit when she is launched this summer at the Lockheed-Martin Marinette shipyard in Wisconsin. A multi-mission warship, USS DETROIT will be commissioned in 2016.  
  • The national anthem will be performed by Master at Arms Petty Officer Second Class Steven E. Miller.
  • The Navy Sea Cadet Color Guard will present the nation's colors.

Sunday April 20 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 1:08 p.m. Gates Open at 11:00 a.m.

  • Every Kid Every Sunday: Every kid 14-and-younger will receive a Torii Hunter Mini-Bat, sponsored by Subway.
  • Easter Fun: Prior to the game several dozen Kids Club members will be selected to participate in a special parade with the Easter Bunny and PAWS. During the game, the Easter Bunny will be located on the concourse for fans to meet and greet.
  • The national anthem will be performed by The Forte Trio Boys.
  • 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, weather permitting.

Monday, April 21 vs. Chicago White Sox at 7:08 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

  • MVP Program: Each Monday home game during the 2014 season, Tigers broadcaster, Mario Impemba invites 30 Veterans of all eras and their families to come down to the ballpark on the FOX Sports Detroit Fan Express and enjoy a Tigers game. Each Veteran is given a special "MVP" t-shirt, game ticket and food voucher thanks to Mario Impemba and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. Guests from Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 154 will attend the game on April 21 and will have the opportunity to meet Impemba prior to the game at the FOX Sports Detroit stage in the Brushfire Grill at 5:40 p.m.
  • Law Enforcement Night: The Tigers will host Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Comerica Park. This special night is dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families, and will help raise awareness and funds for the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC. The Tigers offer a special ticket package for law enforcement officers, their families, and supporters. The Tigers will donate $10 from each ticket that was sold directly to the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Tuesday, April 22 vs. Chicago White Sox at 7:08 p.m. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m.

  • Miss Michigan Night: Prior to the game, the Tigers will recognize all of the young women currently in the running to become Miss Michigan. Current Miss Michigan Haley Williams will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Wednesday, April 23 vs. Chicago White Sox at 7:08 p.m. Gates Open at 5:00 p.m.

  • The first 10,000 fans will receive an Anibal Sanchez 17 K's DVD, courtesy of FOX Sports Detroit.

Thursday, April 24 vs. Chicago White Sox at 1:08 p.m. Gates Open at 11:00 a.m.

  • The first pitch will be thrown out by Chevrolet Indy Car Driver / Team Owner, Ed Carpenter.
  • Aquafina School Incentive Days: During six select games this season, the Tigers and Aquafina will host over 10,000 students from local schools to reward them for being a member of their school's safety patrol or having perfect attendance for a marking period. On April 17, 24 and May 8 as part of the School Incentive and Reward Program, a total of 3,000 orange bucket hats will be given away to students courtesy of Aquafina.
Read More: Detroit Tigers