Tigers Winter Caravan 2010

WINTER CARAVAN and TIGERFEST
The Tigers players, manager, coaches and broadcasters will embark on the annual Tigers Winter Caravan Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22, leading into TigerFest at Comerica Park on Saturday, January 23.

I wanna go to one of these soooo bad.

gdennis59 wrote:

I wanna go to one of these soooo bad.

me too.

At least you have that sort of freedom. My mother would let me out of state without her, even though I'm freaking 16.

But.

I am trying to get to Myrtle Beach with some senior friends for a week.

gdennis59 wrote:

At least you have that sort of freedom. My mother would let me out of state without her, even though I'm freaking 16.

But.

I am trying to get to Myrtle Beach with some senior friends for a week.

That would be cool. Just don't get in trouble.

Well....

I'll try.

I can vouch it's too cold for the effort! I waited in a line for 45 minutes to get in, 10 degrees and a stiff northeast wind. Traipsed after players in line after line and all I could get was Santiago's autograph, plus Kyle Bloom and Dusty Ryan who are no longer Tigers. The best thing was I got to sit next to Carlos Guillen for a picture and my GF met Magglio in a hallway, but that was it. Long day, not much to show for it. I have to do other things this year.

Tigers Caravan hits road on Wednesday
Tour to focus on personal visits, interaction with fans

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

01/13/10 8:32 PM EST

DETROIT -- Before the Tigers pack up their bats and gloves and head to Spring Training, they'll get an appreciation for how a lot of other folks in metro Detroit make their living.

A walk into the control tower and a Delta airliner cockpit at Metro Airport, a visit to the assembly line of a Ford truck plant and tours of Michigan local fire houses are among the scheduled stops the Tigers will be making next week during their annual Winter Caravan across Michigan and northwest Ohio.

The caravan begins Wednesday night, Jan. 20, at the West Michigan Whitecaps Winter Banquet and the Toledo Mud Hens Fandemonium dinner, then continues through Jan. 22. The two bus tours lead back to Detroit for TigerFest on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Comerica Park. A full itinerary and list of stops is expected to be released later this week.

Many Tigers players and coaches will be sticking close to town on the Metro tour, which will travel around Detroit and the surrounding area. Others will be on the West tour, which heads out to Lansing, Marshall, Grand Rapids and other cities in the central and western part of the state.

The treks will be different, but the theme will be common: The Tigers are focusing their caravan on more personal visits and better interaction with fans who supported them through their 2009 season and continue to pull for them.

"It's a lot more intimate," said Elaine Lewis, the Tigers' vice president of community and public affairs. "We're up and touching hands with our fans. These are hard-working people that the players get a chance to reach out and thank."

As in past years, they're also taking part of their caravan to give back to those less fortunate. Among their scheduled stops are the Salvation Army's Bed and Bread truck program, which provides food and comfort to approximately 5,000 people in metro Detroit each day. The Tigers will not only be making a donation, but will also help serve.

The visit to Metro Airport next Thursday will allow players to meet local employees from Delta Airlines, which uses the airport as one of its international hubs. The Tigers will visit the airport tower, where they'll meet local air traffic controllers, and tour the cockpit of a jet. They'll even greet a few travelers as they visit gates and realize the inner workings of an airline.

The visit to Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will give Tigers players an up-front look at Detroit's auto industry and the people at the heart of it. They'll also get a look at the assembly line and the process before they visit the North American International Auto Show the next day at Detroit's Cobo Hall Convention Center.

The Tigers will also head to Lansing, where they'll receive a tour of the state capitol and a visit to the state senate. They'll also visit the Michigan State Police and do some simulation techniques.

Part of the inspiration for this caravan theme came from Major League Baseball's Beyond Baseball program. Part of it also came from last year's caravan, when a visit to the Detroit Fire Department's training facility was a hit among firefighters and players, who had a chance to don fire gear and try some training drills to get an appreciation of the job.

"It just resonated so well," Lewis said.

Tigers players will also be making hospital visits, including DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, to try to boost spirits and thank health-care workers.

More than 85 percent of the Tigers roster is expected to take part in the Caravan.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

2010 Winter Caravan set for January 21-22
Tigers Players and Coaches to visit fans across the state

The 2010 Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan, presented by Verizon Wireless and FOX Sports Detroit, is set for Thursday, Jan. 21 and Friday, Jan. 22. The exciting lineup of appearances throughout Michigan includes Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Lansing, Marshall, Romulus, Royal Oak and Southfield, and even includes a stop in Windsor, Canada. Tigers players, coaches, broadcasters and executives will spend two days traveling by bus across the region, spreading baseball fever to Tigers fans of all ages.

"The 25 caravan destinations provide the unique opportunity for Tigers players, coaches, broadcasters and executives to visit our fans in their hometowns and communities," said Tigers Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Planning Elaine Lewis. "We're excited to spend two days making personal connections while bringing the Tigers closer with our fans throughout Michigan and beyond."

The entire schedule for the 2010 Tigers Winter Caravan follows:

METRO BUS
Thursday, January 21

1:10-1:30 p.m. -- Salvation Army
Harbor Light Center - 3737 Lawton Street, Detroit
• Delivering 5,000 hot lunches as donated by Pepsi and Ball Park Brands to be served from the Salvation Army Bed & Bread Truck, providing food to the hungry and homeless in Detroit
Attending: Everett, Ramirez, Robertson, Scherzer

1:40-2:15 -- Bed & Bread Truck at the Detroit Veterans Center - 2770 Park Avenue, Detroit
• Tigers players serving hot lunches from the Bed & Bread Truck to Veterans
Attending: Everett, Ramirez, Robertson, Scherzer

1:30-2:15 p.m. -- Ford Motor Company
Ford Dearborn Truck Plant - 3001 Miller Rd., Dearborn
• Tigers to meet and greet with Ford factory employees and tour the factory floor and assembly line
Attending: Dombrowski, Leyland, Lamont, Impemba, Cabrera, Figaro, Guillen, Jackson, Ordonez, Sborz, Verlander

1:30-2:30 p.m. -- The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford - 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
• Tigers to tour The Henry Ford, visiting historical exhibits
• Fan rally with students of The Henry Ford Academy and guests of The Henry Ford
• OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Attending: Jones, McClendon, Allen, Boesch, Ciriaco, Inge, Seay, Strieby, Willis

3:00-4:30 p.m. -- Delta Air Lines
Detroit Metro Airport, McNamara Terminal - 2606 Worldgateway Place, Detroit
• Tigers to meet and greet with Delta employees
• Tigers players, coaches, broadcasters and executives will get a behind-the-scenes look at Delta's Control Tower, tour a 747 cockpit with a Delta Captain and assist with the gate and boarding process
Attending: Dombrowski, Leyland, Jones, Lamont, McClendon, Allen, Impemba, Boesch, Cabrera, Ciriaco, Everett, Figaro, Guillen, Inge, Jackson, Ordonez, Ramirez, Robertson, Sborz, Scherzer, Seay, Sizemore, Strieby, Verlander, Willis

5:15-6:45 p.m. -- Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble - 500 South Main St., Royal Oak
• Tigers players will read "The ABC's of Detroit Tigers Baseball", a children's book, with Detroit's favorite mascot PAWS, followed by a book signing
• FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Attending: Robertson, Sizemore, PAWS


5:30-6:45 p.m. -- Farmington Hills Fire & Police Departments
Farmington Hills Fire Department Headquarters - 31455 W. 11 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills
• Interactive CPR demonstration with Tigers players and members of the Farmington Hills FD and PD
• Fan rally with employees of City of Farmington Hills, including Farmington Hills FD and PD
Attending: Dombrowski, Leyland, Jones, Lamont, McClendon, Impemba, Boesch, Cabrera, Ciriaco, Figaro, Guillen, Ordonez, Ramirez, Sborz, Scherzer, Strieby, Verlander

5:45-6:30 p.m. -- The 'field Zone, a new teen recreation center
The 'field Zone - 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield
• Community rally with members and families of the 'field Zone, featuring an interactive gaming contest between members of the 'field Zone and Tigers players
• Guests are encourage to donate new or gently used equipment at the rally to benefit Gloves for Kids
Attending: Allen, Everett, Jackson, Seay, Willis


Friday, January 22


10:10-11:05 a.m. -- DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan
Children's Hospital of Michigan - 3901 Beaubien St., Detroit
• Interactive playroom visit with pediatric patients
Attending: Boesch, Cabrera, Ciriaco, Figaro, Guillen, Inge, Jackson, Ordonez, Ramirez, Sborz, Scherzer, Sizemore, Strieby, Willis

10:15-10:45 a.m. -- Detroit Police Department
Central District - 7310 Woodward Ave., Detroit
• Tigers to meet and greet with members of the DPD
Attending: Dombrowski, Leyland, Lamont, McClendon, Allen

10:15-11 a.m. -- University of Windsor, Sports Business Forum
University of Windsor - 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor
• Tigers players, coaches, broadcasters and front office executives to participate in a forum with students about careers in professional baseball
Attending: Al Avila, Jones, Impemba, Everett, Robertson, Seay

10:20-11:00 a.m. -- Cornerstone Schools, Nevada Campus
Cornerstone Schools - 6861 East Nevada St., Detroit
• Justin Verlander to receive the 2009 Communicator Award as presented by the Curtis Group
Attending: Verlander

1:30-2:30 p.m. -- DTE Energy
DTE Energy Headquarters - One Energy Plaza, Detroit
• Tigers to headline employee rally including an interactive question and answer session
• Employees are encouraged to donated new or gently used equipment at the rally to benefit Gloves for Kids
Attending: Dombrowski, Al Avila, Leyland, Jones, Lamont, McClendon, Allen, Impemba, Boesch, Cabrera, Ciriaco, Everett, Figaro, Guillen, Inge, Jackson, Ordonez, Ramirez, Robertson, Sborz, Scherzer, Seay, Sizemore, Strieby, Verlander, Willis, PAWS

3:00-4:30 p.m. -- North American International Auto Show
Cobo Hall, Detroit Hall - One Washington Blvd., Detroit
• Fan rally including an interactive question and answer session
• The Tigers have donated 125 tickets for members of Mariners Inn and the Lloyd H. Diehl Boys and Girls Club to attend the Auto Show and fan rally
• OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Attending: Dombrowski, Leyland, Jones, Lamont, McClendon, Allen, Impemba, Boesch, Cabrera, Ciriaco, Everett, Figaro, Guillen, Inge, Jackson, Ordonez, Ramirez, Robertson, Sborz, Scherzer, Seay, Sizemore, Strieby, Verlander, Willis


WEST BUS
Thursday, January 21


2:30-3:45 p.m. -- Michigan State Capitol
State Capitol Building - 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing
• Tigers will tour the Michigan State Capitol Building with a "Dreams Come True" special guest and participate in an interactive question and answer session with special guests and fans at the State Capitol
Attending: Al Avila, Belliard, Brookens, Knapp, Dickerson, Alex Avila, Bonine, Coke, Dlugach, Fien, Galarraga, Kelly, Laird, Miner, Perry, Porcello, Raburn, Schlereth, Turner, Wells

4:00-4:35 p.m. -- Associated Press
Kellogg Center - 55 South Harrison Rd., East Lansing
• Tigers players and coaches to participate in a media session with members of the Associated Press
Attending: Al Avila, Belliard, Brookens, Knapp, Dickerson, Alex Avila, Bonine, Coke, Dlugach, Fien, Galarraga, Kelly, Laird, Miner, Perry, Porcello, Raburn, Schlereth, Turner, Wells

5:00-6:15 p.m. -- Michigan State Police
Training Facility - 7426 South Canal Rd., Lansing
• Tigers will tour the Training Facility and participate in interactive police training exercises
• Tigers to meet and greet with members of the Michigan State Police
Attending: Belliard, Brookens, Knapp, Dickerson, Alex Avila, Bonine, Coke, Dlugach, Fien, Galarraga, Kelly, Laird, Miner, Perry, Porcello, Raburn, Schlereth, Turner, Wells


Friday, January 22

10:00-11:00 a.m. -- Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble - 3195 28th St. SE, Kentwood
• Tigers players will read "The ABC's of Detroit Tigers Baseball", a children's book, followed by a book signing with Tigers players
• FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Attending: Knapp, Kelly, Miner, Porcello

10:00-11:00 a.m. -- Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
DeVos Children's Hospital - 100 Michigan St. NW, Grand Rapids
• Interactive visit with pediatric patients
• The Tigers have donated 150 copies of "The ABC's of Detroit Tigers Baseball" to patients
Attending: Belliard, Brookens, Dickerson, Alex Avila, Bonine, Coke, Dlugach, Fien, Galarraga, Laird, Perry, Raburn, Schlereth, Turner, Wells

2:00 -3:0 0 p.m. -- Marshall Fire & Police Departments
323 W. Michigan Ave., Marshall
• Tigers to meet and greet with members of the Marshall FD and PD
Attending: Belliard, Brookens, Knapp, Dickerson, Alex Avila, Bonine, Coke, Dlugach, Fien, Galarraga, Kelly, Laird, Miner, Perry, Porcello, Raburn, Schlereth, Turner, Wells