10 things you may not have known about Mike Ilitch

Here are 10 things you may not have known about Mike Illitch:

1. Mike Ilitch was born in Detroit in 1929 and attended Cooley High School in 1947.

2. Mike and his wife, Marian, were married for 61 years, until his death.

3. After high school, Ilitch was offered a contract by the Detroit Tigers, but he declined.

4. Ilitch served in the military from 1948-1952.

5. After being discharged from the military, Ilitch  accepted a second offer to play for the Detroit Tigers.

6. A knee injury ended his baseball career after four seasons.

7. Ilitch  worked as a door-to-door sales man until he and his wife saved up enough money to purchase the first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Michigan.

8. Little Caesars went on to become one of the largest pizza chains in the world.

9. Ilitch and his wife later purchased multiple companies and sports teams, including the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings.

10. Mike and his wife have seven children and 22 grandchildren.
 

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