It’s just a matter of time before a statue of Mike Ilitch is created. The only question is, where will it be located? Maybe at Comerica Park, or maybe at the new Little Caesars Arena which will open in September?
Former Detroit Tigers great Kirk Gibson does not think either one of those places are suitable for a statue of somebody who did so much for the Detroit community.
Kirk Gibson woke up early Saturday morning.
Among his first thoughts were longtime Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, who died at 87 years old the evening before.
“I was just thinking,” Gibson said. “What’s the statue going to look like? Where should it be?”
Tigers history is well-represented at Comerica Park, with six statues on the left-centerfield concourse of arguably the most influential players in team history. Legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell is bronzed near the stadium’s main entrance.
But Gibson wasn’t talking about an Ilitch statue at Comerica Park. He was talking about one in a more common location of Detroit.
“He’s the guy who created the rebirth of Detroit,” Gibson, an area lifer, said. “It was his vision. He’s just been a great leader for our area. He loved athletics but it was just the environment that he created. He just wouldn’t let barriers get in his way.”
To read the entire article by Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, including Gibson’s comments about Ilitch’s impact on him, please click the link below.
Source: Kirk Gibson: Mike Ilitch great for Detroit, beyond sports
