SPORTS

Sports world reacts to death of Mike Ilitch

Marlowe Alter

Detroit Free Press

Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez celebrate their clinching of a playoff spot after a win over the Royals in Kansas City on Sept. 24, 2006. The Tigers went on to win the A.L. pennant, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-1, in the World Series.

Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner, and Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch died Friday at 87 years old.

Ilitch, a Detroiter who went to Cooley High School, was one of the biggest names in the sporting world, the rebuilding of the city of Detroit and the business world.

Here are reactions from the sports world upon hearing of his death: