Dombrowski to join Granderson at Whitecaps Winter Banquet
The banquet, underwritten by Varnum, will be held at the new J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids. Granderson, the Tigers' center fielder, was announced as the featured speaker last week. Dombrowski will also speak during the program.
Both Dombrowski and Granderson will meet with the media during a press conference at the J.W. Marriott from 5 to 5:30 p.m. This will be the only opportunity for interviews. Credentials will be required and can be obtained by contacting the Whitecaps Media Relations Department at (616) 726-7067.
The banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items. The silent auction will be followed by dinner, a live auction and the featured program. The banquet presentation will also include the induction of the inaugural class of the West Michigan Whitecaps Hall of Fame. Three former Whitecaps players, coaches and/or outstanding contributors will be announced as inaugural inductees, based on fan and committee voting over the course of the 2008 season.
Proceeds from the Winter Baseball Banquet go to the Whitecaps Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. Tickets for the banquet are on sale now and are priced at $75 per person or $850 per corporate table (which include 10 tickets to the Banquet, 40 raffle tickets and preferred seating).
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling the Whitecaps at (616) 784-4131, by sending a check or money order with the names of persons attending to Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet, P.O. Box 428, Comstock Park, MI 49321 or by faxing credit card orders to 784-4911. The deadline to purchase Banquet tickets is Monday, January 12. Fans should note that the Winter Banquet is not an autograph event. Although patrons are welcome to bring cameras and take pictures with Tigers guests, outside memorabilia is not allowed into the Banquet and autograph collecting will not be permitted.