Mike Ilitch was a man that served his city better than anyone could ever ask. He spent nearly his whole life in Michigan. He was born in Detroit in 1929 and was a graduate of Cooley High School. Most don’t know this, but Ilitch started his time with the Tigers as a player back in 1952, where he spent about four years in the minor leagues.
Although he would find himself back in baseball eventually, Ilitch found a niche in the pizza business. As founder and owner of the first Little Caesars, Ilitch made his fortune. He grew his business from a single restaurant to an international pizza empire over the course of his lifetime.