Over the past year, Tigers fans could be forgiven if they expressed some confusion where team ownership is concerned. Owner Mike Ilitch has battled age and illness, and the locus of control over the team between himself and his son, Chris Ilitch, has seemed a bit murky at times. The firing of former GM Dave Dombrowski after the trade deadline was curtly handled with little in the way of explanation offered to a surprised fanbase.
And questions have abounded as to ownership's willingness to increase the already swollen payroll. It was fitting then that Ilitch the elder took the opportunity offered by Monday's signing ceremony for newly inked Tigers' starter Jordan Zimmermann to clear the air.