MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

David Dombrowski to Speak at Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet

Published on January 10, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Detroit Tigers President, CEO and General Manager David Dombrowski will be the guest speaker at the 19th Annual Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet, to be held on Wednesday, January 23 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

Joining Dombrowski as speakers at the event will be three members of the Detroit Tigers 2012 American League Championship team including outfielders Andy Dirks and Quintin Berry and pitcher Drew Smyly. First-year Whitecaps manager Larry Parrish will also be in attendance.

Dombrowski is now in his 35th season in professional baseball and his 12th season with the Tigers. Under Dombrowski's leadership, the Tigers have two World Series appearances in the past seven years; have captured two American League Championships and competed in three AL Championship rounds. In addition, the Tigers are currently the two-time defending AL Central Division champions, the only time in franchise history this feat has been accomplished. In 2011, Dombrowski shared The Sporting News Executive of the Year honors and was recognized by Baseball America as Executive of the Year in 2006. Dombrowski joined the Tigers on November 5, 2001 as team president and assumed the role of general manager on April 8, 2002. Prior to joining the Tigers, Dombrowski served the Florida Marlins as General Manager of the expansion franchise in 1991, building a World Series winner in 1997, and later was named team president in 2000. He became the youngest GM in baseball when the Montreal Expos promoted him to that role in 1988 at the age of 31.

The three Tigers players set to attend, Dirks, Berry and Smyly, were all instrumental in the Tigers' playoff run to the World Series last season.

Dirks, who played for the Whitecaps in 2008 after being drafted in the 8th round by the Tigers that year, has two major league seasons under his belt. He has a career .293 batting average in the majors, including an impressive .322 average (second best on the team behind Miguel Cabrera) in 88 games last season, including eight home runs and 35 RBI, while battling hamstring and Achilles injuries. He contributed 10 hits in the playoffs last year.

Berry, also a rookie last year, made his major league debut with the Tigers on May 23, 2012. His first major league hit came in the form of a rare bunt double, and he became the first Detroit player since 1918 to hit safely in his first six games as a Tiger. He led the majors in stolen base percentage (100%, 21-for-21, plus 2-for-2 in the playoffs) and finished 10th in the American League in triples with six. ESPN named Berry the best baserunner in the 2012 World Series.

Smyly, at just 23 years old, was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS against the Yankees. Smyly played most of the season with the Tigers last year, posting a 4-3 record and 3.99 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 99.1 innings (18 starts and five relief appearances) as a rookie.

The Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet begins at 5:45 p.m. with a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items. The silent auction will be followed by dinner, a live auction, the Whitecaps Hall of Fame inductions and the guest speakers.

Proceeds from the Winter Baseball Banquet go to the Whitecaps Community Foundation, which will donate all funds from the event to the YMCA Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities. More than $505,000 has been raised through the Whitecaps Winter Banquet for the charities.

The YMCA Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program, funded by the West Michigan Whitecaps and Fifth Third Bank, provides approximately 1,900 children annually the chance to participate in a structured activity that provides guidance in their lives. Money raised provides the equipment and operations necessary to teach the youth self-esteem, teamwork, self-confidence and the fundamentals of baseball.

The Detroit Tigers Foundation has awarded more than $7 million in Tigers tickets, grants and scholarships to local charitable organizations with a focus on youth, education and recreation since its establishment in 2005. From renovating baseball fields to rewarding academic achievement, the Foundation aids in the development and funding of innovative programs that promote the game of baseball and the good citizenship embodied in the storied history of the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers guests will be made available to the media before the event. For details regarding Tigers availability and to acquire a media credential, please contact the Whitecaps Media Relations Department at (616) 726-7067.

Tickets are on sale now and the deadline to purchase them is Monday, January 14. Two ticket options are available for fans interested in attending the event. Corporate tables include 10 tickets to the banquet, 40 raffle tickets and preferred seating, and are $900 each. Individual tickets are $80 per person. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Those unable to attend but willing to support the charities are welcome to donate any amount. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Whitecaps at (616) 726-7017.

Fans should note that the Winter Banquet is a non-autograph event. Although patrons are welcome to bring cameras and take pictures with Tigers guests, outside memorabilia is not allowed into the Banquet, and autograph collecting will not be permitted.

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