Tigers Owner Chris Ilitch said that there is "no mandate to cut team payroll and that he believes this team has the talent to win the World Series," according to Jeff Seidel of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Ilitch on Friday spoke publicly for the first time as Tigers owner and said, "I do it for my love of the game. And I love this franchise." Ilitch added, "There is no mandate on payroll. I know [Tigers Exec VP/Baseball Operations & GM Al Avila] has addressed payroll with you guys. I support Al’s approach wholeheartedly. Al has a great plan. The first part of his plan is to beef up our personnel in sabermetrics and player development. ... He is beefing up our player-development area, as well as our scouting ranks. I support his approach wholeheartedly." Ilitch said Avila has a "great approach and we are on the right track" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/25). Seidel noted the Tigers on Friday honored late Owner Mike Ilitch with a "touching, classy celebration with a video tribute played on the new video screen in left field" at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. During the ceremony, Chris Ilitch stood on the grass, as Tigers DH Victor Martinez, 2B Ian Kinsler, P Francisco Rodriguez and LF Justin Upton "revealed a Mr. I insignia painted along the first-base line." It is "natural to wonder what will happen to the Tigers, as the ownership of the franchise passes from father to son." It is "understandable to wonder whether the Ilitch family will sell or change course." Seidel wrote of Chris Ilitch, "There is no question in my mind: This is a guy who just loves baseball" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/25).
IN GOOD HANDS: In Detroit, John Gallagher noted Chris Ilitch has "earned a reputation as a careful, deliberative business leader who takes a data-driven, analytical approach to solving problems and who won’t be rushed in his decision making." He "shies from publicity and doesn't grant many interviews." His public appearances, such as the "unveiling of the name of the Little Caesars Arena, tend to be scripted affairs." But he seems "likely now to emerge even more as a public figure in Detroit and as the next-generation face of his family’s efforts." Wayne State Univ. President M. Roy Wilson said, "Chris is every bit as visionary as Mike was. He’s very understated. He doesn’t have airs about him at all. But he’s very, very effective. And I think he’s very passionate as his father was, passionate for his city." Avila said of Chris Ilitch, "He’s a very intelligent businessman. He’s very organized, very disciplined. He knows what he’s doing" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/26).
