Mr.MelissaG915
12-08-2006, 10:46 AM
Friday, December 08, 2006
By Brian Vanochten
The Grand Rapids Press
COMSTOCK PARK -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who rates among the most popular sports figures in the state following a World Series appearance in the fall, is scheduled to speak at the West Michigan Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet next month, the local Class A franchise announced.
The event is set for Jan. 17 at DeVos Place.
It will mark Leyland's first public appearance in Grand Rapids since becoming the Tigers' manager. He will be joined by a number of Tigers players still to be determined.
"We're really looking forward to having Jim Leyland here for our banquet. We actually met up with him yesterday," Whitecaps vice president Jim Jarecki said Thursday while attending baseball's annual winter meetings in Florida.
"We're looking to continue that postseason excitement."
How popular is Leyland?
"He should've run for governor of Michigan," said Whitecaps radio play-by-play announcer Dave Skoczen, who will act as master of ceremonies for the banquet. "We had a poll on our Web site late last season. Leyland had 50 percent of the vote while both Granholm and DeVos were far behind.
"It'll probably be the biggest event we've had. I don't see how he could do anything wrong. He's got to be the most popular guy in the whole state right now."
Tickets are $65 per person.
The team is selling corporate tables with seating for 10 people for $750 and premium tables with seating for 10 and a special VIP reception with the Tigers after the banquet for $1,000. All tickets are available beginning Monday.
The proceeds benefit the Whitecaps YMCA Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball Program.
The Whitecaps will be celebrating their 2006 Midwest League championship during the banquet. New manager Tom Brookens, a member of the 1984 Tigers' World Series championship team, also is expected to be in attendance.
By Brian Vanochten
The Grand Rapids Press
COMSTOCK PARK -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who rates among the most popular sports figures in the state following a World Series appearance in the fall, is scheduled to speak at the West Michigan Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet next month, the local Class A franchise announced.
The event is set for Jan. 17 at DeVos Place.
It will mark Leyland's first public appearance in Grand Rapids since becoming the Tigers' manager. He will be joined by a number of Tigers players still to be determined.
"We're really looking forward to having Jim Leyland here for our banquet. We actually met up with him yesterday," Whitecaps vice president Jim Jarecki said Thursday while attending baseball's annual winter meetings in Florida.
"We're looking to continue that postseason excitement."
How popular is Leyland?
"He should've run for governor of Michigan," said Whitecaps radio play-by-play announcer Dave Skoczen, who will act as master of ceremonies for the banquet. "We had a poll on our Web site late last season. Leyland had 50 percent of the vote while both Granholm and DeVos were far behind.
"It'll probably be the biggest event we've had. I don't see how he could do anything wrong. He's got to be the most popular guy in the whole state right now."
Tickets are $65 per person.
The team is selling corporate tables with seating for 10 people for $750 and premium tables with seating for 10 and a special VIP reception with the Tigers after the banquet for $1,000. All tickets are available beginning Monday.
The proceeds benefit the Whitecaps YMCA Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball Program.
The Whitecaps will be celebrating their 2006 Midwest League championship during the banquet. New manager Tom Brookens, a member of the 1984 Tigers' World Series championship team, also is expected to be in attendance.