❌

Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

The Metro: Deaf volunteers say they were excluded at Comerica Park. A judge says their case can proceed

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Robyn Vincent

It began at Comerica Park during a summer Tigers game — lights bright against the sky, fans filling the stands, the rhythm of the game unfolding.

For deaf and hard-of-hearing volunteers from Detroit’s DAD Foundation, the energy was palpable, even if the experience of the ballpark was not defined by sound. They relied on sight and movement as they staffed a concession stand to raise money for their nonprofit.

They were trained for the job, but no one provided interpreters or signs to help them communicate with customers. After a confusing encounter with a secret shopper, they were told not to come back. 

Now the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice has taken the case to court. They argue that what happened is discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Last month, a federal judge said their lawsuit can move forward. That means their claims under the ADA warrant a complete examination.

Although this happened at a baseball game at a popular stadium in Detroit, the story asks something bigger than baseball. What does access look like in a world built around sound? 

Attorney Liz Jacob from the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss what this ruling could mean for deaf and hard-of-hearing people across the country. 

Transcript of the conversation below.

Robyn Vincent, co-host of The Metro: Liz, welcome back to The Metro.

Attorney Liz Jacob: Thanks so much for having me. 

Robyn: And a note before we begin: radio is a hearing-based medium, and that’s part of the problem when we talk about access. So a full transcript of this story will be available online, because access starts with how we tell the story itself.

Now. Liz, before we get to the law, can you take us to that night at Comerica Park? What did communication look like for your clients? What was missing, and how did that absence shape everything that followed?

Liz: Absolutely, and let me just start off by talking a little bit about our clients. We have an amazing group of clients here who are all people who, themselves, are deaf and hard of hearing and are a part of an organization, the DAD Foundation, that actually advocates for the rights, needs, and community for deaf and hard of hearing people. 

So participation in this program at Comerica Park was so important to our clients, it gave them a chance to get to be a part of game day, to get to volunteer during that excitement down at the stadium, and to be able to support their nonprofit for their volunteer work at the stadium, they were able to get a donation for the DAD Foundation, a community group that they care about that supports their needs and allows them to thrive in the community. 

All the volunteers went through a training offered by the vendor services organization at Comerica Park. They understood the role, and they were ready to participate. What was missing, Robyn, was the chance for them to participate equally. The organization knew that they were deaf, they knew that the volunteers were hard of hearing. They knew that they needed accommodations in order to thrive in the role, but they weren’t provided that. They weren’t given even the barest minimum of accommodation required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which in this case could be signage. It could be having a sign language interpreter on site with the volunteers. It would also include training a secret shopper to know that these individuals volunteering at the concession stand are deaf and hard of hearing, and they should adjust the way they communicate with them accordingly. 

They weren’t provided with those accommodations, and that broke down communication.

Robyn: Liz, let’s talk more about what the law actually requires, because the Americans with Disabilities Act does talk about effective communication, and you have just given us some examples of what was missing. Who decides which aids or services are appropriate?

Liz: Great question. So the aids and services required should be centered around the needs of the people who have the disability. So the Americans with Disability Act considers the individualized needs of the folks who have the disability. So in this case, folks who are deaf and hard of hearing, there are really well-understood and accepted accommodations for folks who have this particular disability. In this case, signage, access to an interpreter, are considered reasonable accommodations regularly offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Robyn: And these were all missing in this situation. Now, Liz, this case is a little unusual, because the people at the center of it weren’t paid workers. They were volunteers. That meant the usual workplace protections under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act didn’t apply. Instead, you’re arguing this falls under Title III, and that’s the part of the law that covers public spaces. So that means restaurants, stores and stadiums, like Comerica Park, and it guarantees equal access for everyone, not just employees. Why does that distinction matter? What does it reveal about how the Americans with Disabilities Act protects people who contribute to public life in ways that, say, aren’t defined as work?

Liz: Great question. So, one of the really important things about the Americans with Disabilities Act is that it underscores a congressional intent to make public life accessible to people with disabilities. Work is one part of public life, that’s why it’s captured under Title I of the act, but Title III was really an important intention from Congress to expand access to the general public, to people with disabilities, it was a recognition that we have built so many inaccessible spaces in our world that do not allow people with disabilities to show up fully and be able to participate. So Title III, and the way that we’re trying to push the court to understand this issue, is that Title III really covers fair and equal access to any place of public accommodation. Those are spaces like Comerica Park that are open to the general public. And we’re pushing the court here to see that when we say public accommodation, we don’t just mean physical access to the stadium. We mean access to all programs offered at the stadium to the general public. That’s what we have here, a program offered generally to any nonprofit in the public in fact, our clients were invited to participate in this program. And when you’re going to offer that kind of public-facing program, you need to make it accessible to everyone. Folks should not be denied the right to participate in these programs just because they have disabilities. 

“It was a recognition that we have built so many inaccessible spaces in our world that do not allow people with disabilities to show up fully and be able to participate.”

Liz Jacob, sugar law center for economic and social justice

The Americans with Disabilities Act shifted that responsibility onto these private organizations that are going to host events open to the public, programs and services open to the public. It puts the onus on the private actors then to make those spaces accessible to everyone.

Robyn: So, what I’m hearing from you is that there needs to be a higher threshold of responsibility when it comes to these organizations and how they’re accommodating people with disabilities. I want to zoom out, because we often talk about sound in stadiums, but inclusion is visual and it’s linguistic. Where do you see systemic breakdowns across sports venues when it comes to deaf culture and ASL as a language,

Liz: It’s a great question, Robyn. What we have heard from our clients and other members of the deaf and hard of hearing community is that it’s not just being able to see the game played, it’s also being able to hear and understand that is such a big part of the experience that they’re not able to access, right? We have commentators sharing what’s happening play by play on the field. We have folks talking in their seats. Those are all parts of the experience that could be made more accessible. Having sign language interpreters who are actually breaking down commentary during games is one part of the experience that could be made better. And in this case, we’re talking about the ability to participate in that full game day experience. It’s not just what’s happening on the field. A big part of game day is built around the concession stands, getting to enjoy a hot dog with friends, getting to build camaraderie with fellow volunteers as you serve those concessions. That’s a really important part of access on game day, too. 

So, being able to make sure folks can participate fully in the experience on game day, whether that’s as a spectator or as a member of the concession stands, is so important to building a better vision of full inclusion for every person who’s in that stadium on game day.

Robyn: Let’s contextualize this beyond game day, if we could. Liz, because the data show a durable employment gap: roughly half of deaf adults are employed, and that’s compared with about 70% of hearing adults. And I should note, many of the jobs deaf people have are outside the traditional workforce, and those positions may differ a lot when it comes to quality, hours, or stability. Liz, when a public venue fails to provide interpreters or visual communication and then removes deaf volunteers, how would you say that single access failure ripples into the workforce?

Liz: It’s a great question, Robyn. So what we have heard from our clients is that participation in this volunteer program is so important, exactly for the reason that you’re underscoring. It is so hard for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to be able to access dignified, meaningful work. And these volunteer roles are actually really important because it gives them work experience, it allows them to build their resume, get experience on the ground when it’s so hard for them to be able to access those jobs. 

So participation in these programs are important. It shows that they have the ability to do it. It helps them build their skills and experience, and it allows them to have a leg up the next time they go to apply for a job. That’s also why having an experience that like this, that was so hurtful, so stressful and so distressing during a volunteer experience, also sets our clients back a lot. It makes them feel yet again, like spaces are not built for them, like it’s yet again so difficult for them to find an accessible opportunity that how can they then find a job that’s going to accept them or build the accommodations that they need. 

So that’s why it’s so critical that we fight these inaccessible spaces even when they’re in a volunteer context, because for our clients, they matter. They’re the experiences that allow them to build their lives that push them closer to dignified work. And it shows us that building meaningful, dignified employment opportunities for deaf people also has to start with their other experiences in the community, their experiences as a volunteer, their experiences with fellow volunteers, where they’re building community and building skills, are just as important if we’re taking a full person approach, and that’s why we need to push for the civil rights of folks with disabilities at every level. We need to keep up with the fight, whether it’s a full time job or a volunteer employment opportunity, because those are the experiences that define people’s lives. Those are the experiences that set the tone for the spaces that they can access next.

Robyn: Liz, this has me wondering, though, about Comerica Park, about the Detroit Tigers, what responsibilities do teams and venue operators have when contractors are running concessions, where does accountability live in these multi-party arrangements?

Liz: This case, I think, is highlighting the fact that there are so many different actors who control the experience on game day, who run the concession stands and who impact the abilities of the general public to be able to access the space. 

So for Comerica Park and for the Detroit Tigers, they have a powerful opportunity now to be in solidarity with our clients, with members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, and actually hold their contractors accountable. 

These are not just things that would be nice to do. These are legal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act that we have here in Michigan. So there’s an opportunity now for the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park to hold their vendors accountable to the law and to making sure that they are inclusive and accessible to the community. 

So we hope the Detroit Tigers and Comerica Park will join us in holding these vendors accountable and set a better standard going forward for all their vendors to make sure that everyone, regardless of their level of ability, is able to enjoy all of the programs offered on game day.

Robyn: Liz, let’s stay on game day. What would meaningful compliance look like next opening day. In other words, how do we measure success beyond a settlement?

Liz: So for our clients and for other people who are deaf and hard of hearing, Compliance would look like starting at the very beginning. When they’re invited into these nonprofit programs at Comerica Park, they receive training that’s accessible. They have sign language interpreters at the trainings. They’re given visual tools and resources to allow them to get correctly trained up and have access to a training that they can fully understand and participate in. 

Then when they’re there on game day serving concessions, they have signage that makes it clear that the folks working in the stand that day are deaf and hard of hearing, so that folks who are coming up to the concession stand know how to better communicate, and they have the resources to do it. Maybe there’s a handwritten option or a digital tool that allows them to place their order, or they’re able to point or reference an easily accessible menu to show a deaf or hard of hearing person what they’d like to order. 

In addition, there could be sign language interpreters available at the concession stands that have deaf and hard-of-hearing volunteers so they can have full conversations with participants. And if you get to be a part of game day in that way, you know, sharing a reaction to the game, being able to talk about someone’s order, that would look like much fuller inclusion to be able to provide them the same opportunities that any other volunteer at that concession stand is able to have.

Robyn: Liz many workplaces and public programs are what advocates call hearing-led, and this may be the first time that some people listening to this conversation right now have ever even heard that term, which means places where hearing people set the tone, the systems and the language when those organizations want to do better, whether it’s Comerica Park or someplace else. What should that look like from the start? How do you co-design access with deaf communities in mind?

Liz: So, organizations like our client, the dad Foundation, are great examples of partners in doing that work and thinking about what it looks like to actually center and prioritize the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. So there are organizations like the Dad Foundation that are really excited to have those conversations that already have in their membership, tons and tons of Deaf folks who would like to be a part of those conversations, who know what they need and want to help shape spaces. 

So, my first invitation to folks who are thinking about, how can you shift a hearing-led space is, one, work in partnership and in solidarity with people who are in the deaf and hard of hearing community, communicate with them, understand their needs, and then take that forward into the design of your workplace, your community or your public space. The other option to think about too, is, as hearing people, we have privilege being able to think about how we experience space, when we can hear sound, hear voices and hear noises in our environment, and then unpack those privileges. What would allow someone to experience that space if they couldn’t hear what would allow someone to participate if they couldn’t understand the words that were being spoken? Whether that’s shifting to sign language to written tools to visual tools, there are changes we can all make when we consider our hearing privileges, and how if someone didn’t have those privileges, they could better access that space.

Robyn: Finally, Liz, I have a question about WDET, and radio more broadly, because radio is, of course, an audio-first medium. What do you want from newsrooms covering deaf stories beyond transcripts, so that coverage itself doesn’t replicate the barriers you’re fighting in court right now?

Liz: Great question. Being able to think about multimedia stories is a way to meet the needs of our Deaf community members. So making sure that we don’t just have audio-first stories, but we’re actually putting together media assets that are kind of whole packages that folks can experience a number of different ways that best meet their needs. 

So, in this case, we could have a version of this story, for instance, where we’re able to be on the ground at Comerica Park or in our offices. Folks are able to see us talk and actually have a live sign language interpreter throughout the whole conversation, being able to have a visual story that, instead of using any audio, just communicates through graphics and other kinds of written texts and tools. Being able to think about a multiplicity of ways to tell a single story allows it to be so much more accessible and so much more inclusive to audiences who might not be able to access what we have right now of a radio story, of a story relying entirely on audio.

Robyn: Attorney Liz Jacob with the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. Liz, thank you so much for joining me on The Metro.

Liz: Thanks for your time today.

 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Deaf volunteers say they were excluded at Comerica Park. A judge says their case can proceed appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Analysis: Reports don’t mean there’s something real regarding Skubal extension

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT – There is nothing new on Tarik Skubal contract extension front. Nothing new was reported Thursday when MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reiterated the Tigers “non-competitive” initial extension offer – which happened roughly a year ago at this time when the Tigers had Skubal under control for two seasons.

And if the numbers that Heyman and others threw out there are accurate – four years, roughly $100 million – then that would have been the highest extension offered to a pitcher prior to free agency, topping Justin Verlander’s $80 million extension in 2010.

Skubal, through his representation (Scott Boras), rejected the offer last year. But that, by no means, represents the Tigers’ base offer going into this offseason. To say there is a $250 million gap is just a guess. It’s not based on anything real.

Nobody truly knows whether there have been any new negotiations. Neither side is saying anything publicly. But the leverage points are different now on both sides with Skubal entering his final year of team control.

Spotrac, an industry data base for contracts, payrolls and market values, projected an eight-year extension worth $300 million ($37.5 million annual salary).

That doesn’t mean that’s the number Boras is seeking. That doesn’t mean Boras would accept any extension offer. He generally prefers to take his high-end clients on to the open market where 30 teams can bid.

It makes good fodder for website clicks and talk radio discussion, but these numbers that are being thrown around, again, aren’t based in fact. Information leaked from agents comes with an agenda. They are generally trying to build a market for their clients.

If information leaks out from the team, someone might get fired. Tigers president Scott Harris steadfastly refuses to talk about contracts or trades even in the most general terms.

Here was his answer when I asked him if the club faced a decision point this offseason on Skubal.

“Listen, I totally understand the question, and I understand that you have to ask me,” he said. “I’ve kind of learned over time, especially with this question, that general comments tend to get chopped up and forced into narratives. I can’t comment on our players being traded. I can’t comment on free agents. And I can’t comment on other teams’ players.

“So I’m going to respond by just not actually commenting on it. Tarik is a Tiger. I hope he wins the Cy Young for the second consecutive year. He’s an incredible pitcher and we’re lucky to have him. That’s all I can say on that.”

Things were read into Skubal’s statement on the issue, too. He was asked about his future immediately after the Tigers lost Game 5 of the ALDS in Seattle.

“My job is to play,” he said. “(It’s) not my job to do anything other than play. Those questions should be asked toward the front office and the people that make those decisions. But my job is to go out there and play.”

He wasn’t implying anything. He was simply saying what is fundamentally true: These decisions and discussions are between the Tigers and his agent. It’s not his place or in his best interest to comment publicly.

Free agency starts the day after the World Series ends. Qualifying offers go out five days after the World Series. Nov. 21 is the deadline for tendering arbitration-eligible players.

Skubal, per estimates by MLB Trade Rumors, could get as much as $17.8 million if he went to arbitration.

That’s where this is right now and that’s where it’s been. Nothing has changed. The Tigers options, presuming there will be no extension, are to seek a trade for Skubal this winter or ride it out in 2026 and try to win a championship with him.

The time for the Tigers to get the maximum return in a trade would’ve been last winter when he had two years of control left. Getting the same yield on a player with one guaranteed season left, even one as dominant as Skubal, is unlikely.

Trading him in-season, unless the team falls out of playoff contention, is sub-optimal, as well.

The Tigers traded Verlander at the trade deadline in 2017 and got Jake Rogers as part of the return package. The other prospects didn’t pan out. They lost Max Scherzer to free agency in 2015, getting a compensatory draft pick that ended up being Christin Stewart.

Anything can still happen. All scenarios are open. But nothing to this point has happened.

Spotrac projects an eight-year extension worth $300 million for Tarik Skubal. (ROBIN BUCKSON — MediaNews Group)

Detroit Evening Report: New emergency vehicles for Detroit Fire Department

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Hernz Laguerre

The Detroit Fire Department received new fire and emergency medical services vehicles thanks to a nearly $11 million dollar investment from the city. This is part of the city’s efforts to upgrade their fleet and keep response times well below the national average.

The department received 10 new fire engines, 13 new ambulances, 3 battalion chief vehicles, and 3 new EMS Supervisor vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with HAAS Alert Safety Cloud that sends real-time digital alerts to nearby drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching or stopped at an incident.

According to the city, these investments help improve a fleet in comparison to the decades old vehicles that were prone to break down.

Additional headlines from Thursday, October 16, 2025

Proposal for Michigan Central transport

There are plans to bring a passenger train service back to Michigan Central.

Governor Whitmer announced a $40 million plan to build a transportation hub adjacent to the former train station in Corktown. This plan would allow for an intercity bus and train service connecting Amtrak’s Chicago-Detroit Wolverine line through an underwater tunnel. This tunnel would go to Canada where passengers could continue to Toronto.

There is already an Amtrak rail line that connects Toronto to Chicago under the Detroit River, but it’s only used to carry freight traffic. The new plan would build a multimodal hub that estimates 66,000 riders annually.

Detroit sports 

Last weekend was a tough weekend for Detroit sports fans as the Tigers loss in the playoffs and the Lions fell to the Chiefs… but here’s to another weekend for a bounce back.

The Lions have a Monday night matchup against the NFC leader, Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 20. Kick off for that game is at 7:00 p.m.

And Detroit City FC is going against the Charleston Battery on Saturday at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium. Game starts at 6:00 p.m.

Convening for Dance and Culture

This weekend the Social justice organization, TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture is hosting the fifth annual conference, the Convening for Dance and Culture. Attendees are a part of the show for this event where dance instructors will teach dances from the African diaspora.

On Saturday the classes run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Andy Art Center with a performance by the dance company at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday the conference continues from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information and tickets go to tematedance.com.

 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

The post Detroit Evening Report: New emergency vehicles for Detroit Fire Department appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Turns out Tigers, AJ Hinch agreed to a contract extension at midseason: ‘Love it here’

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT — Remember when reports surfaced late in September saying the Tigers and manager AJ Hinch were nearing an agreement on a contract extension?

“Those reports were baseless,” president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Monday with a wry smile.

They were baseless because Hinch and the Tigers agreed on a contract extension at midseason. They just didn’t announce it.

“I absolutely love working with AJ,” Harris said, during the team’s season-ending media conference at Comerica Park. “He’s one of the best managers in the game. We have now proactively extended him twice because we want him to be here as long as he willing to be here and I want to work with him as long as I possibly can.

“It was one of the easiest conversations I’ve had because he wants to be here and we’re both bullish on the future of this organization and we are proud of what we’ve done.”

The Tigers, as per organizational policy, don’t make public the contract terms for the manager or coaching staff.

Hinch, 51, ranks eighth on the Tigers’ all-time managerial wins list with 394 in five seasons. He’s guided the team to the playoffs and eight postseasons wins over the last two years.

“I love it here and I love working with Scott,” Hinch said. “This was the second time I was approached and asked for more and it’s an immediate yes for me. When you have an environment that both pushes you and satisfies you, I was thrilled.”

Once he got the OK from his wife and family, he signed the deal. With one stipulation: that it wouldn’t be made public during the season.

“It’s hard to look at where you are personally in the middle of the season,” he said. “Which is why my one request and Scott’s one request was that we just do it and not talk about it. It’s about the players during the season, it’s about winning and we had a lot of games left.

“We didn’t want to be a distraction.”

Hinch and his family have been growing roots in the Detroit area over the last three years, since Harris signed him to the first extension before the 2023 season.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be the manager of the Tigers,” he said. “It’s a rewarding place to be. We’ve bought a home here. We live here the majority of the year and we continue to become more and more Michiganders as a family.

“I am grateful for Chris (Ilitch, chairman and CEO), for Scott, for Jeff (Greenberg, general manager). All of us are on board to bring a World Series here. That’s why I want to be here.”

Hinch said there would be discussions later this week about his coaching staff. It’s possible there will be some changes.

“We evaluate every possibly way we can get better,” he said. “I think our staff answered a whole lot of the challenges we’ve been given and all of that is in a really good place. But we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t debrief about our entire group.

“But I am really proud of this group of coaches and the culture we’ve created.”

Tigers team president Scott Harris, left, and manager AJ Hinch hold an end-of-season media availability at Comerica Park on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (DAVID GURALNICK — MediaNews Group)

Tigers’ Finnegan says he was healthy down the stretch, wants to return

✇The Oakland Press
Tony Paul

DETROIT ― When Kyle Finnegan was traded to the Tigers from the Washington Nationals on July 31, he brought with him a pedestrian 4.38 ERA and 1.282 WHIP. Understandably, the move didn’t have Tigers fans jumping all around.

But Tigers fans would probably welcome Finnegan, a free-agent-to-be, back for 2026.

After the trade, Finnegan was one of the Tigers’ most-consistent relievers, pitching in leverage situations and posting 1.50 ERA and 0.722 WHIP in 16 games in August and September. The veteran right-hander, 34, is a free agent this offseason, and he would welcome a return the team that helped him right the ship.

“You never know what the season has in store for you,” Finnegan said last Friday, following the Tigers’ season-ending loss in Seattle in the American League Division Series. “And, you know, getting traded over here I think was big for me. I think, you know, I unlocked a lot of things that will help me moving forward in my career. And that’s a testament to the people that this organization has.

“I can’t say enough about the staff and the players, and, just top to bottom, it was a first-class experience, and I was really happy to be a small part of it.

“I loved every second of my time here. And, you know, hopefully the feeling is mutual.”

In two months with the Tigers, Finnegan’s WAR was 0.8, per Baseball-Reference. His best WAR over a full season, in his first five major-league seasons, was 1.0. Pro-rated for a full season, Finnegan’s WAR with Detroit would’ve made him the team’s second-most-valuable pitcher, behind ace Tarik Skubal.

The Tigers saw Finnegan throw against them in Washington in early July, and he pitched back-to-back scoreless, hitless innings. A month later, they traded for him to help patch a leaky bullpen.

In 12 appearances in August, Finnegan didn’t allow a run. He struck out 19 in 14.1 innings, and saved three games.

But in early August, Finnegan landed on the injured list with a right adductor strain. Interestingly, he threw 14.1 innings in August, the most he’s ever thrown in a calendar month in the major leagues. He was out for nearly three weeks, and in his first appearance after his return, he allowed his first run with the Tigers.

Finnegan allowed a run in six of his last 10 appearances this season, including a run in three of the games against the Mariners, including the 3-2, 15-inning loss in the winner-take-all Game 5.

Finnegan was asked after Friday night’s game if he was fully healthy when he returned from injury, and he said he was.

“I felt good physically,” Finnegan said. “You know, I was on a pretty good roll (before the IL). And I think, you know, the injury kind of slowed the momentum, maybe a little bit. But I felt like I threw the ball pretty well all year.

“And, you know, happy with the season that I had.”

With the Tigers in the regular season, Finnegan allowed 4.5 hits per nine innings (down from 8.3 this season with the Nationals) and 2.0 walks per nine (down from 3.2), while striking out 11.5 per nine (up from 7.4). Finnegan this year credited the Tigers for increasing his splitter usage in strikeout situations.

Finnegan is likely heading for a raise from the $5.38-million contract he signed with the Nationals for 2025. Other free agents include trade-deadline pickup Rafael Montero and winter signing Tommy Kahnle, neither of whom would is a major priority from the Tigers. Will Vest, the bullpen leader, is arbitration-eligible, as is lefty Tyler Holton.

The Tigers’ bullpen was, by many measurements, middle of the pack in Major League Baseball this season, but Detroit’s bullpen was near the bottom of baseball in strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kyle Finnegan throws against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning during a baseball game Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Mariners fans bring the decibels, and it might’ve made a difference vs. Tigers

✇The Oakland Press
Tony Paul

SEATTLE ― Home-field advantage doesn’t get talked about as much in baseball as some other sports, notably football.

And the electric factory that was T-Mobile Park on Friday might’ve made the difference. At the least, it certainly made a difference early in the game when the Seattle Mariners took a 1-0 lead in a game they eventually won, 3-2, in 15 innings, to cap off a spectacular American League Division Series.

The volume level was off the charts almost the entire night, from pitch No. 1 to pitch No. 472, which Jorge Polanco ripped for a winning single that sent the Mariners to the AL Championship Series, and sent the Tigers home.

“This ballpark was just loud from the first pitch and all the way through the 15th inning and kept us going tonight,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “I think our guys fed off that very well.”

The decibel level certainly seemed to impact the game in the second inning, after Josh Naylor scraped a one-out double the opposite way to left field.

Naylor had been animated on second base all throughout the series, using hand motions as if he’s relaying pitch signs to the batter, though the Tigers downplayed that and suggested it was more about just trying to be a distraction.

Then, after the double early in a scoreless Game 5, Naylor started hopping off second base, and when he realized Tigers ace Tarik Skubal wasn’t turning around, Naylor, after starting and stopping, bolted for third, and he stole the base pretty easily. Second baseman Gleyber Torres was yelling at Skubal to step off, according to shortstop Javy Báez .

Skubal clearly couldn’t hear him, amid a crowd of 47,025 screaming fans, and he went home with the ball. Naylor was the first player to attempt a steal of third off Skubal all season. Naylor’s a smart base runner. He has the physical stature of a guy who can count his stolen bases on one hand, but he had 30 in the regular season in 2025.

“Being loud … communication is really hard,” Báez said in the Tigers’ quiet clubhouse after the game, while the Mariners continued to celebrate on the field with champagne. “He just played good baseball,.

“He did his homework. He know Tarik wasn’t going to pick (off) to second. But, you know, that’s part of the game.”

Naylor getting to third base proved huge, when the next batter, Mitch Garver, lofted a flyball to center field that was plenty deep enough to score Naylor for the first run of the game.

Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler was asked about the play after the game, and said he didn’t want to shout anything to his pitcher in that moment, because he’s fearful it could’ve caused a knee-jerk movement and, thus, a balk that would’ve gotten Naylor over to third base, anyway.

Dingler said maybe he could’ve called timeout when Naylor was just starting to dance off second base, but he didn’t even know if he could be granted a timeout if the runner was already in motion.

“I really don’t know, to be honest. I’ll have to figure it out,” Dingler said. “It’s one of those things where I didn’t know if he could maybe hear the people behind him, middle infielders, but it’s just one of those things, you don’t want make that situation worse.

“At the end of the day, if he gets to third, you know, he has a chance to punch out (Garver).”

It was a big early run off Skubal, who was outstanding all postseason, and Friday was no exception.

After the Naylor double, Skubal retired the last 14 batters he faced, including seven strikeouts in a row at one point. He finished with 13 strikeouts, and 36 for his three playoff starts in 2025, spanning 20.2 innings. Skubal’s playoff run, even going back to last year, has been so historic, the Mariners’ postgame notes included nine paragraphs about Skubal, invoking comparisons to such legends of the game as Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver and Justin Verlander.

Even though he’s a local boy of sorts, having pitched at Seattle U, Skubal was greeted by Mariners fans with the loudest boos, by far, during pregame introductions. Of course, you don’t boo the ones you don’t care about.

The atmosphere, with fans in the stadium for more than seven hours Friday night, was in stark contrast to Game 4 at Comerica Park, which wasn’t even sold out ― a first for a postseason game at that ballpark. Tigers fans eventually perked up, in a 9-3 win that forced a Game 5 in Seattle. At T-Mobile Park on Friday, where the roof was closed, Mariners fans never really perked down, even if alcohol sales were cut off with, as it turns out, many innings to go.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi on social media called the stadium vibe ― they even lit off fireworks when the innertube-wearing Humpy the Salmon got his first-ever win in the “Go Fish” race, the second of the night, in the 14th inning, moments before the Mariners’ walk-off winner ― one of best in all of sports.

“That’s everything we would have wanted in a game, the atmosphere, the energy,” Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan said. “That environment was incredible.”

The get-in price for Game 5 tickets on the secondary market was more than $250 before first pitch Friday night, and there were far fewer Tigers fans in Seattle on Friday than there were Mariners fans in Detroit earlier in the week.

The Mariners now will host Games 3, 4 and, if necessary, 5 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays next week. It’s Seattle’s first appearance in the ALCS since 2001.

Those games in Seattle will be sellouts, and they will be loud ― and fans just might, again, make a difference.

“I didn’t hear much. The crowd was very loud,” said Polanco, who had a big hand in both of Skubal’s starts in the ALDS, homering twice off the lefty in the Mariners’ 3-2 win in Game 2, and then hitting the walk-off against Tommy Kahnle in the 15th inning of Game 5. “I just want to say, ‘thank you’ for that.

“And, hopefully, they keep showing up.”

Mariners fans cheer after the Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson strikes out in the first inning of Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. (ROBIN BUCKSON —  The Detroit News)

Tigers’ manic thrill ride in 2025 ends with broken heart and elevated stakes for 2026

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT — Maybe this will be therapeutic in the wake of that soul-crushing, 15-inning, Game 5 loss in Seattle on Friday night. Spin the highlight reel:

• April 4, home opener: Kerry Carpenter thrills the sellout crowd with two home runs against the White Sox.

• April 8: Spencer Torkelson, Zach McKinstry and Dillon Dingler all homer in the fourth inning against Yankees starter Carlos Corrasco in a 5-0 win.

• May 2 in Anaheim: Riley Greene makes history, becoming the first player ever to homer twice in the ninth inning. Colt Keith and Javier Báez also homer in that eight-run ninth.

• May 8: The Tigers finish a 10-game road trip exploding for 21 runs in a doubleheader sweep in Colorado. They score 79 runs in the 10 games, second most in franchise history and at 25-13, establish their best start since 2014 and own the best record in baseball

• May 9: Finally home, Tarik Skubal strikes out 12 Texas Ranger hitters, getting a club-record 32 swings-and-misses in seven innings.

• May 12: They respond to their first home series loss of the year by scoring nine runs in the third inning against Boston and starter Tanner Houck in a 14-2 win. They have accrued 228 runs in 42 games, their most since 2007.

• May 13: Again against the Red Sox, Báez homers twice including a three-run walk-off in the 11th inning after Boston scored twice in the top of the 11th.

Remember all these good times?

• May 25: After losing a heartbreaker to the Guardians the night before, Skubal puts the team on his back, throwing a complete-game shutout in 94 pitches — a Maddux, in other words. But the first ever Maddux with a 13-strikeout exclamation point.

• June 2 in Chicago: Carpenter continues his assault on White Sox pitching, whacking three homers, becoming the first Tiger to homer three times in a game since Victor Martinez in 2016.

We had some fun, right? Watching the Tigers become the first team in baseball to win 30 games, first to win 40, first to win 50, first to win 60. Watching them run the bases like demons, going first to third more times, and with a higher rate of success, than any other team, led by McKinstry’s 74% extra-bases taken percentage.

Watching Greene and Torkelson racing toward 20 and then 30 home runs. Seeing Greene tap into his light-tower power — the 471-footer he hit over the batter’s eye in Sacramento and the 454-foot rocket he hit in Game 5 of the ALDS.

Seeing Greene stamp his place in Tigers history, joining Hank Greenberg as the only Tigers to amass 31 doubles, 36 homers and 111 RBIs at age 24 or younger.

Watching Wenceel Perez throw out two Oakland runners at second base in the same game on June 24. Watching him again a few days later in Cleveland, fire a 97.9-mph seed to the plate to throw out Bo Naylor in a 2-1 Tigers’ win.

Watching Báez, the Gold Glove shortstop, make one sensational play after another in center field, filling in while Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling were injured.

Having six players selected to the All-Star game as they amassed 59 wins at the break.

Watching Skubal take his performance level a step higher after winning his first Cy Young Award last year. Watching Casey Mize reinvent himself as more of a power pitcher, ripping 90-92 mph sliders and 90-mph splitters off 95-96 mph heaters. Watching Will Vest grow into an attack-dog leverage reliever. Watching rookie Troy Melton burst on the scene as both a starter and reliever.

Watching Dillon Dingler blossom right before our eyes, at the plate and behind it. It’s very rare for a team to lose its starting catcher in April and subsequently get better.

All that stuff happened. It’s just gotten buried under the rubble of a late-season swoon that cost them the division title and the heartbreak of Game 5. But it shouldn’t be dismissed.

“We are a good baseball team,” Skubal said. “We didn’t accomplish the trophy, but there’s a lot to be proud of and work off of.”

The Tigers season ended in the same place it did last year, with a Game 5 loss in the ALDS. The core of the team also took a step forward. Both things can be true.

Baseball player
Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after the end of the sixth inning during Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (ROBIN BUCKSON —  The Detroit News)

“Even in the rough September, we took steps forward,” manager AJ Hinch said. “It’s not all about the record when you’re learning. Unfortunately, we put ourselves in harm’s way a little bit, but we battled back to get the win in Cleveland, to get the win in Boston, to get the series win in the wild card, to take this about as far as you can take a series.

“We are growing up.”

A friendly reminder that Keith is 24, Greene 25, Meadows 25, Perez 25, Torkelson 26, Dingler 27, and Carpenter 28, and none have more than two years of accumulated MLB service time.

“Based on last season, being able to get some experience in the postseason, it’s easy to forget how young we are and that we’re still learning,” Hinch said.

There’s still a lot of work to do, both individually and with the roster. President Scott Harris and his staff face a critical winter. There is going to be more internal growth, for sure, but it might be time to strengthen a few areas with proven, veteran talent.

As the bats went steadily quiet over the last month and through the playoffs, the need to look outside the organization for another run producer or two became acute.

Harris will also again be busy shopping for pitching, starters and relievers.

But those issues will be discussed in the weeks ahead.

For now, we put the 2025 season and all its manic highs and lows, all the massive accomplishments and biting disappointments, to bed.

“Our floor has been raised and we don’t know what our ceiling is,” Torkelson said. “We’re not satisfied making it to Game 5 of the ALDS. We want more. This stings, but we raised our floor and created a new standard of what it should be like.

“We need to keep it going.”

The Tigers’ Javier Baez celebrates with teammate Kerry Carpenter after Carpenter’s two-run home run in the sixth inning of Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday night in Seattle. (ROBIN BUCKSON — The Detroit News)

Detroit Evening Report: Clean energy event centers equity and opportunity

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Hernz Laguerre

Stacey Abrams to headline Detroit’s clean energy summit

If you’re interested in how you can be a part of a clean energy future, this event might be for you. The Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit is happening next week, October 13 through 15, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Organizers say this is the largest clean energy gathering with Black and Brown folks in mind — not as the footnote but the headline.

The summit will offer hands-on workshops, tech showcases, career pathways, funding opportunities, and more. Plus, the featured speaker is national political activist Stacey Abrams.

For more information, visit therecessconference.com.

Additional headlines for October 10, 2025

Pontiac celebrates 100 home repairs through city program

The City of Pontiac is announcing 100 completed home improvement projects at a press conference on October 14. This is all part of its Houses Through Home Repair Program, which aims to fix homes that need key repairs and upgrades.

City leaders will highlight improvements to plumbing, HVAC, roofing, porches, and more at the press conference at 1159 Eckman Ave. in Pontiac.

For details, go to pontiac.mi.us.

Detroit sports: Tigers battle Mariners, Lions face Chiefs

Before we get to the weekend activities, let’s check out sports.

MLB
 The Tigers face the Seattle Mariners tonight in a winner-take-all matchup. The American League Division Series is tied 2-2, and the winner of tonight’s game moves on to the American League Championship Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays.
 First pitch is at 8:08 p.m.

NFL
 On October 12, the Detroit Lions face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Sunday night matchup you don’t want to miss. The Lions are 4-1 and leading the NFC North, while the Chiefs are digging their way out of the AFC West.
 Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.

Wayne State hosts Mexican film festival with Detroit Consulate

Wayne State University is partnering with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit to host a film festival of Mexican-based films on Wednesday, October 15, at noon. The event is free and will be held at La Plaza del Norte Building, 2835 Bagley Street.

It will feature conversations about political and social implications, history, and more. For more information, go to las.wayne.edu.

Beacon Park’s Cider in the City returns for two weekends

Beacon Park is hosting Cider in the City this weekend, October 11 and 12, and next weekend, October 18 and 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be cider and donuts, cocktails, football on LED screens, and more.
 For details, visit ciderinthecity.com.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the podcasts you love.

One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear. Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post Detroit Evening Report: Clean energy event centers equity and opportunity appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: Joe Louis Greenway expands on west side

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Jerome Vaughn

Detroit officials have opened up a new section of the Joe Louis Greenway. 

About two miles of the greenway’s new additions are spread throughout the city’s west side, running from Joy Road to Chicago Street.   A sculpture of Joe Louis was also unveiled at the trailhead of this section near Grand River and Oakman.

District 7 City Councilman Fred Durhal says the greenway expansion will help bring city residents together. 

“What this project means for our community here is connectivity.  Connectivity to our lives.  Opportunity for our youth, for our seniors—all to come together in a healthy way.”

Mayor Mike Duggan also attended Tuesday’s event.  He says the greenway is making a visible difference in city neighborhoods, adding that the name of the project makes sense for Detroit. 

“Whose name could possibly be great enough—whose impact in the city could be great enough that would affect and do justice?  And it wasn’t a hard decision at all.  And so to recognize Joe Louis forever—as my friend Joyce said— “you named a hockey arena after him and you knocked it down, but greenways are forever.” 

Duggan says about 6 miles of greenway have been completed and another 6 miles are under construction.  The entire project, when finished, should cover about 27 miles. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick dies at 80

Former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has died. 

She served as one of Detroit’s representatives in Congress from 1997 until 2011.  Before that Cheeks Kilpatrick was a member of the state House from 1979 until 1997.  She was also the mother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. 

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was 80 years old. 

Whitmer signs budget  

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the state budget into law. 

The $81 billion budget includes more money for roads, and a larger wholesale tax on marijuana.  The marijuana tax has been increased to 24% as part of a deal to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. 

In a video statement, Whitmer says students will benefit from the new budget, too. “We’re making a historic investment in our children, including the more than $10,000 per student investment to improve their classroom experience, free school meals for all to save parents more than a thousand dollars a year per child and make sure no kid goes hungry.”

State legislators failed to meet an October first deadline to get a budget to the governor, but they came up with a temporary plan to keep state government open while they finished up final details. 

Casino revenue update

Detroit’s three casinos brought in $98.9 million in revenue last month.  That’s down about 3% from September 2024. 

MGM Grand continued to hold the largest share of the Detroit casino market at 47%, Motor City had 30% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown had 23%. 

The casinos paid $16.1 million in wagering taxes and other fees to the City of Detroit in September.  They paid another $8 million to the State of Michigan last month. 

Tigers status 

The Detroit Tigers are fighting to stay alive in the American League Divisional Series. 

They lost to the Seattle Mariners yesterday 8 – 4.  The Mariners lead the best-of-five series two games to one.  That means Detroit will be eliminated if they lose another game. 

The Tigers and the Mariners play game four this afternoon at Comerica Park.  First pitch is at 3:08 p.m. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

The post Detroit Evening Report: Joe Louis Greenway expands on west side appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: $1B boost for roads and schools in new Michigan budget

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Hernz Laguerre

Michigan lawmakers pass 2026 state budget

After months of waiting and two missed deadlines, the 2026 state budget has finally passed. Michigan lawmakers agreed early Friday morning to add about $1 billion to road and bridge improvements, increase school funding, and decrease funding for some other programs. The budget also includes a new 24% wholesale tax on marijuana.

Now the budget is headed to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, allowing her to finally fulfill her famous promise to “fix the damn roads.”

For more information and a breakdown of how this budget affects Michiganders, check out WDET’s political talk show MichMash. A bonus episode was released the same day as the budget to explain the details.

Additional headlines for October 3, 2025

District 3 residents organize “Stop the Violence” march

Residents of Detroit’s District 3 have organized a “Stop the Violence” march this Saturday (Oct. 4).

Alita Moore, executive director of the North Central Block Club Association, says the march is in response to a recent uptick in violence in the neighborhood.

“Our youth, our seniors, are very, very concerned. And so, before something like the National Guard comes in, we wanted to — on a local community level — show solidarity with our neighborhood police officers, with the people that work with us right here,” Moore says.

Moore hopes the event draws attention to a part of the city that feels neglected. The march will start at Farwell Recreation Center at noon.

Tigers advance; Lions prepare for Sunday matchup

Everyone is talking about the Tigers. Yesterday, the team beat the Cleveland Guardians in the wildcard round and is now heading to the American League Division Series, where they’ll face the Seattle Mariners. First pitch is tomorrow at 8:38 p.m. EST at T-Mobile Park.

Meanwhile, about four hours south of metro Detroit down I-75, the Lions face the Bengals in a Sunday afternoon matchup at 4:25 p.m. They’re coming off a dominant win against the Browns, 34–20. Their record is currently 3–1, putting them at the top of the NFC North.

Applications open for Detroit Legacy Business Project

Applications for the Detroit Legacy Business Project close on Monday, October 6 at 8 a.m.

This program is for businesses that have been serving the city for 30 years or more. Available grants include:

  • One $50,000 grant
  • Fourteen $15,000 grants
  • Five $5,000 grants
  • Ten $2,500 grants

For more information, visit detroit.gov/opportunities
.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the podcasts you love.

One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear. Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post Detroit Evening Report: $1B boost for roads and schools in new Michigan budget appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: Michigan receives federal approval for revised EV charging plan

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Hernz Laguerre

State to use $52 million in frozen funds to expand network

Michigan is moving forward with its revised electric vehicle charging plan after receiving federal approval. The US Department of Transportation approved the state’s plan under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, allocating $52 million remaining from an original $110 million. The Trump administration froze the $52 million in February.

One of the biggest challenges for electric vehicles is the limited number of charging stations. Michigan plans to fund a total of 83 stations. Two are already operational and four more are under construction. The rest are still being planned.

Read more from the Detroit News

More details from MDOT

Additional headlines

Detroit’s economic outlook shows steady growth

The city of Detroit held its regular biannual revenue estimating conference this week to review its economic outlook. State law requires these independent revenue conferences to be held in September and February each fiscal year.

The Detroit Economic Outlook for 2024–2030 projects that the city will see an increase in jobs, wages, and resident employment in the next five years. The forecast also shows moderate growth for payroll jobs, while Detroit wages are expected to outpace the state average.

Read the city’s full economic outlook

Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit highlights innovation

The City of Detroit is participating in the Detroit Digital Empowerment Summit this weekend. The event will feature competitions awarding $175,000 in funding for new tech ideas.

The three-day summit is hosted by the organization Black Tech Saturdays and will showcase innovation and economic mobility. It will also include pitch competitions and opportunities for Detroiters of all ages to explore the power of technology.

The city’s Office of Innovation and Technology will present Youth Tech Fest at the summit to introduce technology to the next generation.

Learn more at DetroitMI.gov

Follow the summit at Black Tech Saturdays

Detroit Lions and Tigers weekend matchups

The Detroit Lions had a commanding performance on Monday against the Baltimore Ravens, beating them 38–30. According to ESPN, the game was one of the most viewed Monday night matchups in the last 20 years. This Sunday, the Lions face the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field with kickoff at 1:00 p.m.

In Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers will face the Boston Red Sox this weekend. The Tigers are currently in second place in the American League Central and could move back to the top with a series win.

Detroit Fiber Festival returns Sunday

The Detroit Fiber Festival takes place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event brings together fabric artists, makers, and vendors from across Metro Detroit. This year’s focus is sustainability in sourcing textiles and materials.

There will also be lectures and demonstrations on preservation, highlighting how period fabrics and textiles are used in costuming.

Learn more at Detroit Month of Design

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the podcasts you love.

One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear. Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post Detroit Evening Report: Michigan receives federal approval for revised EV charging plan appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Detroit Evening Report: Budget indecision continues, flood watch, and more

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Jerome Vaughn

Negotiations continue in Lansing in an effort to complete a state budget before an October first deadline.  Failure to do so would mean a partial government shutdown. 

Such an action could prompt a closure of state parks, including Belle Isle.  Secretary of State offices could close, and even Detroit’s casinos could be affected. 

The state has not yet said what its plans are if next week’s deadline is not met.  Democrats and Republicans have not been able to reach a deal on key issues such as road funding. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Flood Watch 

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties until Wednesday evening.  Steady rain is expected and could possibly be heavy at times. The weather service says some areas upstream could see one to four inches of rain. 

If you’ve experienced flooding in your area in recent months, it might be a good idea to check your basement periodically over the next few days.  Make sure to place important items out of reach of possible flood waters. 

Kimmel returns

Detroiters got a chance to see the Jimmy Kimmel show again last night.  WXYZ-TV aired the program. 

Kimmel’s show was suspended last week after the late-night comedian make remarks concerning political reaction to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.  In response, several stations around the country decided not to air the show and the ABC network followed suit. 

The network says it temporarily suspended the show to keep from inflaming a delicate situation.   Kimmel said last night that he did not mean to make light of Kirk’s death. 

Kimmel’s show airs in Detroit weeknights at 11:30 p.m. on WXYZ-TV. 

Tigers collapse 

The Detroit Tigers are looking like they may have a hard time making the Major League Baseball playoffs. 

At one point during the summer, the team had a 14 game lead in the American League Central.  But now Detroit is on a seven-game losing streak, and has lost 9 of its last 10 games. 

Cleveland beat the Tigers 5 – 2 Tuesday night, allowing the Guardians to grab a share of first place in the division.  The Tigers and Guardians play again tonight and tomorrow in Cleveland. 

There are just 11 games left in the regular season. 

Lions celebrate victory

And the City of Detroit continues its celebrations after the Lions’ win on Monday Night Football this week.  The team posted a decisive 38 – 30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.  After the game, Lions quarterback Jared Goff praised the team’s tenacity. 

“It was a good representation of what we want to do and I thought again being able to kind of springboard off of that last week and do it again –in a different fashion, though.  More running the ball.  More ground and pound.  Obviously, D-Mo having the night he had is incredible.  I think we displayed that we can win in different ways.” 

“D-Mo” is running back David Montgomery, who ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.  The Lions now have a record of two wins and one loss. 

They host the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.  Game time is 1 pm. 

If there’s something in your neighborhood you think we should know about, drop us a line at DetroitEveningReport@wdet.org.  You know how much we love hearing about Detroit 

 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

The post Detroit Evening Report: Budget indecision continues, flood watch, and more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Surging Guardians complete sweep with 3-1 win over slumping Tigers in Tarik Skubal’s return

✇The Oakland Press
Larry Lage

DETROIT (AP) — Jose Ramirez hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning after Tarik Skubal was replaced and the surging Cleveland Guardians swept the slumping Detroit Tigers with a 3-1 win on Thursday.

Cleveland has won seven straight to close within 3.5 games of the AL Central-leading Tigers with a little more than a week left in the regular season. The teams are scheduled for three more games Sept. 23-25.

Detroit has lost six of its last seven games and 15 of 22, turning an 11.5-game cushion into a lead that isn’t comfortable.

Returning from an injury scare last week, Skubal gave up one run, seven hits and struck out nine over six innings.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award and pitching Triple Crown winner was replaced by right-hander Troy Melton in the seventh in a 1-all game. Nine pitches later, Ramirez broke the tie with a 368-foot shot to right.

Cleveland’s Jhonkensy Noel hit a game-tying solo homer in the fourth.

Tanner Bibee (11-11) gave up one run and four hits while striking out eight over six innings. Tim Herrin and Kolby Allard followed with two innings of scoreless relief and Hunter Gaddis pitched the ninth for his third save.

Melton (3-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Key moment

The Tigers started the second with three hits, including Colt Keith’s RBI double, and they failed to score another run after having two on and no outs. Keith left the game after the inning with back stiffness.

Key stat

The defending AL Central-champion Guardians are a season-high 10 games over .500, bouncing back from having a losing record on Sept. 4 by winning 12 of 13 games.

Up next

Guardians LHP Parker Messick (3-0, 1.84) and Twins RHP Pablo Lopez (5-4, 2.64) are to start Friday night in Minnesota. Detroit opens its final homestand Friday night with Tigers RHP Charlie Morton (9-10, 5.66) and Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (7-10, 5.56).

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) tags Detroit Tigers’ Wenceel Perez out at home plate during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (PAUL SANCYA — AP Photo)

Tigers activate Paul Sewald; Jose Urquidy accepts option to stay in organization

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT – The Tigers activated veteran right-hander Paul Sewald before the game Thursday.

Sewald, whom the Tigers acquired from the Guardians at the trade deadline, had been out since July 11 with shoulder soreness. He returned from his final rehab appearance on Wednesday.

In corresponding moves, right-hander Codi Heuer was released off the 40-man roster. He has been out with a shoulder injury.

Also, right-hander Jose Urquidy was technically designated for assignment, but he has agreed to accept an option to Triple-A Toledo to stay in the organization.

Procedurally, there is a 24-hour wait period before that part of the transaction can be completed.

“He’s demonstrated the positives in what he can bring,” Hinch said. “He’s creative. He’s got multiple pitches. He is undeterred by any big environment. He’s got a weapon for both sides of the plate.

But we are also seeing the difficulty in coming back from a second major surgery. He’s a little rusty, a little erratic and spraying the ball a little more than he normally does.”

With five years of big-league service time, Urquidy could’ve refused the option. But, with the Tigers holding a $4 million option on him next season and his stated desire to be part of this staff going forward, he signed off on it.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jose Urquidy throws against the Cleveland Guardians during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Detroit. (PAUL SANCYA — AP Photo)

Guardians win for 10th time in 11 games, beat Tigers 7-5 with 4 extra-base hits in 10th inning

✇The Oakland Press
Dave Hogg

DETROIT (AP) — Steven Kwan, Angel Martinez, José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo combined to give Cleveland four extra-base hits an extra inning for the first time in 64 years, and the Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 in the 10th on Tuesday night for their 10th win in 11 games.

Pinch-hitter Kerry Carpenter tied the score 3-3 with a two-out homer in the ninth against Cade Smith (7-5), who blew a save for the sixth time in 21 chances.

Cleveland extended a winning streak to five for the fifth time this season, matching its high. The Guardians began the night three games behind Houston for the last AL wild card and closed within 5 1/2 games of the AL Central-leading Tigers.

The Guardians’ first our batters in the 10th had extra-base hits off Will Vest (6-4), when Kwan doubled, Martínez tripled, José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo doubled. Gabriel Arias added a one-out RBI single for a 7-3 lead.

Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer in bottom of the 10th off Jakub Junis.

C.J. Kayfus hit an RBI single in the second and Gleyber Torres tied the game in the third with his 16th home run. Arias’ homer put Cleveland back ahead in the fourth and Bo Naylor’s RBI double in the sixth built a 3-1 lead.

Dillon Dingler drove in a run with a grounder in the bottom half, beating a throw to first to avoid an inning-ending double play.

Key moment

Cleveland had not had four extra-base hits in an extra inning since May 10, 1961, when Tito Francona, Chuck Essegian, Woodie Held and Bubba Phillips achieved the feat in the 11th inning during an 8-2 win at the Chicago White Sox.

Key stat

Several players wore No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day, but the Tiger who normally wears the number, rookie pitcher Jackson Jobe, is sidelined for the rest of the season with a flexor injury.

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) tags Cleveland Guardians first base Kyle Manzardo (9) out at home plate during the 10th inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

‘Everything felt good’: Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on track for Thursday start after pain-free bullpen session

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT — Tarik Skubal is on track to make his scheduled start against the Guardians on Thursday, though manager AJ Hinch stopped short of saying it’s a done deal.

“We said we were going to go day by day and we have,” Hinch said before the game Tuesday against the Guardians. “He’s inching closer to his start day. Obviously we’re thrilled with the news that things were looking positive.”

Skubal on Monday threw his usual between-starts bullpen and felt none of the tightness in his upper rib cage area that forced him out of his start in Miami.

“Everything felt good,” Skubal said. “Just one of those weird things. I don’t really know how to explain it. But the bullpen went well, the scans came back good, so it’s on to the next one.”

He was asked if he held anything back in his bullpen session, just as a precaution.

“No, it was a normal working pen,” he said. “If anything, I probably worked a little harder just to make sure I was good to go. There was nothing there.”

Tigers Nation certainly gave a collective sigh of relief. Skubal, too.

“During the game, I was a little worried about it,” he said. “But once I came out and calmed down a little bit and ran through most of the tests with our trainers, I wasn’t too concerned after that.”

If the Tigers had taken care of business Tuesday (they lost in extra innings) and Wednesday, Skubal could have been on the mound with a chance to clinch the Central Division title Thursday.

“This series is going to be fun,” he said. “Cleveland is a good team and we tend to play good baseball games against each other. It starts (Tuesday) with Casey (Mize) and hopefully we win (Wednesday) with (Jack Flaherty) and hopefully sweep. That’s the division if the math works out. But it starts with (Tuesday), for sure.”

Tarik Skubal had a pain-free bullpen session, putting him on track to make his scheduled start on Thursday. (ROBIN BUCKSON — The Detroit News)

Judge homers twice to tie DiMaggio on Yankees list in 9-3 win over Tigers

✇The Oakland Press
Associated press

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit two home runs to tie Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio for fourth place in Yankees history as New York beat the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Thursday night to avert a three-game sweep.

On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Donald Trump attended the game and watched from a suite on the third base side.

Judge homered off Tyler Holton (5-5) in the first inning and matched DiMaggio by launching his 361st career homer with a 434-foot drive to the back of the Detroit bullpen off Sawyer Gipson-Long in the third.

Judge had his sixth multihomer game this season and pulled even with DiMaggio two nights after passing Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra for fifth on the franchise list.

The two-time AL MVP had three hits and ended the night with a major league-best .322 batting average, three points ahead of Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson.

Giancarlo Stanton followed Judge’s second solo shot with his 449th homer, tying Hall of Famers Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jeff Bagwell for 41st on the career list.

Including the postseason, it was the 56th time Judge and Stanton homered in the same game and fifth time this season.

Ben Rice hit an RBI double and José Caballero, Austin Slater, Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. had run-scoring singles as the Yankees moved a half-game ahead of Boston for the top American League wild card heading into a three-game series at Fenway Park this weekend.

New York rookie Cam Schlittler (3-3) bounced back from his worst start and allowed one run on three hits in six innings.

Dillon Dingler homered and hit an RBI single, but the Tigers were unable to complete their first sweep of the Yankees in New York since 2008.

Key moment

After allowing Dingler’s tying single, Schlittler ended a 26-pitch second inning by striking out Parker Meadows and retiring Javier Báez on a groundout.

Key stat

The Yankees are 49-7 when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game.

— By LARRY FLEISHER, Associated Press

Detroit Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter reacts after striking out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in New York. (ADAM HUNGER — AP Photo)

Discipline against former employees was appropriate, Tigers say

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

NEW YORK — The Detroit Tigers on Wednesday responded to an investigative article in The Athletic that detailed alleged incidents of sexual misconduct toward female employees and portrayed the organization as being a “boys club” where some women felt unsafe.

In a statement released through Ilitch Sports and Entertainment CEO Ryan Gustafson, the Tigers didn’t dispute the seven reported incidents against former employees. They took accountability for it, saying each was investigated promptly and each employee was terminated.

But the general culture of the organization, the club felt, was mischaracterized.

“We are committed to a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion,” the statement read. “We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment, and when concerns are raised, we investigate promptly and take decisive action, which has included terminating employees for misconduct, regardless of seniority or tenure.

“We are committed to accountability and to upholding the standards essential to our workplace.”

As the article mentioned, the seven employees cited for misconduct have either resigned, were fired or did not have their contracts renewed.

• Sam Menzin, former assistant general manager, cited for sending lewd photos to a female co-worker.

• Michael Lienert, former vice president of premium sales, accused of a number of things, including undisclosed dating of employees, bullying female employees, including an allegation of pushing a female down a flight of stairs.

• Josh Bullock, former vice president of business in Lakeland, cited for verbal and vulgar verbal attacks on men and women.

• Rob Gehring, former video content producer, cited for inappropriate conduct toward women.

• Peter Soto, former vice president of game presentation, accused of making inappropriate comments toward women.

• Also, former players and analysts Cameron Maybin and Craig Monroe were not brought back because of allegations of sexual misconduct.

More: Craig Monroe taken off Tigers’ TV minutes after sex-abuse claims came to light

“We are grateful to the employees who have spoken up here,” the statement read. “And to the more than 3,000 full- and part-time colleagues who contribute every day to ensuring a safe work environment.”

The Tigers contested one of the charges in the article, which claimed that Ben Fidelman, who is the vice president of communications and broadcasting, yelled at an employee and called her “stupid.”

The Tigers, like they did all the others, investigated the charges against Fidelman and found them unfounded.

“It is inaccurate and unfair to group Mr. Fidelman within a story about accusations of sexual harassment or related misconduct,” the statement read. “A concern unrelated to either was raised, and consistent with our process, it was investigated thoroughly, and no wrong doing was found.”

Ilitch Sports and Entertainment employs more than 3,000 people. The statement reiterated that each incident was taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and dealt with.

“We work hard every day to improve our workplace culture,” the statement read. “We encourage open dialogue and feedback, celebrate the contributions of our colleagues, and continue to invest in programs that support growth, well-being, and inclusion.

“Our colleagues have multiple channels to share input, supported by a strong human resources team that responds quickly to concerns. We also provide ongoing, company-wide training and education to prevent and address inappropriate behavior.”

The article also said Detroit is one of three MLB franchises that doesn’t offer maternity leave to pregnant employees. The Tigers were putting a 12-week maternity leave benefit in place before the article came out.

It is expected to be available before the end of the year.

A military flyover ends the opening ceremonies on Opening Day at Comerica Park in Detroit, with the giant new video scoreboard in the background on Friday, April 5, 2024. (JOHN T. GREILICK — The Detroit News)

‘I’d done everything I could’: Tigers’ Alex Cobb ends rehab, opts for hip surgery

✇The Oakland Press
Chris McCosky

DETROIT — He’s not ready to use the R word just yet.

But on Saturday, 37-year-old right-hander Alex Cobb notified the Tigers that he was going to shut it down for the remainder of the year and prepare to have a surgical procedure to alleviate the pain in his right hip.

“I’ve talked to some family about it and I can’t quite utter those words quite yet,” Cobb said of announcing his retirement. “Obviously, I realize that’s a big possibility.”

Cobb, who has valiantly tried to fight his way back from inflammation and pain in both his right and left hip all season, said he had his moment of clarity walking off the field Tuesday in Lehigh Valley, Pa.

After being shut down for seven days, he was scheduled to pitch two innings for the Toledo Mud Hens, his fourth Triple-A rehab outing. He made it through one.

“After the seven days I had off, I had a clear answer walking off the mound that it wasn’t going to work,” Cobb said. “I’d done everything I could and that was the best it was ever going to get and it wasn’t an acceptable product to put on the field or something where I could look to AJ (Hinch) or Scott (Harris) and tell them, ‘You can count on me.’”

Cobb talked to the media via zoom from his home in Arizona Saturday, his voice choking with emotion throughout. He was asked if he could take solace in the fact that he did everything humanly possible to get back — including getting multiple injections, platelet-based and steroidal.

“At some point I will,” he said. “I don’t have that right now. I’m disappointed. I knew with my mind the uphill battle I was going to have this year once I had (the inflammation) early in spring. But in my heart, I have envisioned being on the that mound pitching in the postseason and I just didn’t do it.

“It’s just been more of a gut punch not being able to do it and coming to that realization and knowing what comes next in my career and life.”

The next step, Cobb said, is to have a procedure called hip resurfacing. He had a more traditional surgery on his left hip in 2024.

“Guys who I’ve talked to who have had it, their eyes light up and they get a smile on their face,” Cobb said. “They say it’s the best thing you can ever do when you are in that type of pain and your hip isn’t working and you just want not to be in that pain and there is a solution.

“It’s very exciting to know that is going to be available to me.”

Cobb, who pitched 13 seasons in the big leagues and was an All Star in 2023, signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason and went through his normal offseason training regimen without even a hint of an injury.

“Working out, throwing, I had zero pain,” he said. “I signed with the Tigers, passed the physical, everything looked great. Three or four weeks later, I was ramping up (for spring training), I was getting off the mound, full-go.

“Then I literally woke up one day and couldn’t walk.”

The surgeon who worked on his left hip had forewarned him that he would likely have similar issues with his right hip.

“When I sent him the images (of his right hip), I could hear it in his voice,” Cobb said. “He just said, flat-out, he told me, ‘I’m so sorry, the pain you are in.’ I told him I was fine but you could tell he knew I wasn’t going to be fine.”

Cobb said, unbeknownst to him, he had arthritis in the right hip all along. It wasn’t debilitating at first but the cartilage eventually collapsed and he was left with the ball joint scraping on bone.

“I can handle the pain, easily,” he said. “But it’s when the pain and stuff aren’t matched up and you are unable to overcome the pain and have quality outings. For me to be in a position to earn the right to be on this team, I would need to be reliable and I’d need to be effective. And I wasn’t.

“I wasn’t ever going to get to that point. But I wasn’t going to give up.”

He thanked the Tigers’ medical staff and the trainers for all the efforts they put in on his behalf.

“We didn’t leave any stone unturned,” he said. “We did a lot. We did some stuff that isn’t the norm of the baseball world and they went out on a limb and took care of me and tried to make it happen. It got me to a point where I was pitching again.”

Cobb said he plans to be back in Detroit before the end of the season to line things up for the surgery.

“It’s an exciting time to be in that organization and to be a fan of that organization,” Cobb said. “What they’ve done is such a short period of time, it’s why I wanted to sign there. I believe in Scott and I believe in AJ and what they’re creating

“The hardest part is not being able to put that uniform on and go out on that field be a part of what I’ve been watching for the last five months.”

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Alex Cobb reacts after walking New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe during the third inning in Game 1 of the baseball AL Championship Series Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in New York. Cobb has missed the entire season for the Detroit Tigers and is now opting for hip surgery. (GODOFREDO VASQUEZ — AP Photo, file)
❌