Tony Paul, The Detroit News
Lakeland, Fla. — There were a lot of happy memories and heavy hearts among the men who played and worked for Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, who died Friday at the age of 87.
“I worked for Mr. I as both a player and as a manager,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “I can honestly say it was an honor to work for a man who made winning the priority. Baseball is a business but Mr. I was a baseball player who became a businessman.
“He loved baseball, and my memories will always be centered around the passion with which he talked about it.