Over the past decade, Detroit-style pizza has risen to national acclaim. Over the weekend, Motown’s professional baseball team showed off its contribution toward making “Detroit” and “pizza” synonymous. 

When outfielder Mark Canha blasted the Tigers’ first home run of the season, he celebrated in the dugout with what the team playfully dubbed the “pizza spear.” Tigers players indicated that it’s not a coincidence that the organization is owned by Christopher Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Holdings, which also owns Little Caesars Pizza.

“Just had to mix it up,” Tigers’ first baseman Spencer Torkleson told the Detroit Free Press after the game. “…our owner owns Little Caesars Pizza. So we’re going to give them some love, too. It’s great pizza.” 

Whether or not Little Caesars—one of the four largest pizza chains in the world—needs free advertising is up for debate. What’s not up for debate, however, is that the entire Tigers organization appears to be in on the bit. 

“I didn’t know what to do with the [pizza spear],” Canha said of celebrating his home run in style. “I just slammed it on the ground. It was fun. I love Little Caesars Pizza, so that works for me.”

Tigers’ manager AJ Hinch—who came over to the organization after being fired by the Houston Astros in the wake of the team’s infamous sign-stealing scandal—said the pizza spear is just an expression of the team’s competitive spirit. That spirit will be trying to bring a World Series to Detroit for the first time since 1984. 

“I mean, we all kind of fight for the Little Caesars player of the game,” manager A.J. Hinch said, “which is non-sponsored but super important to this organization. We’ll give it to a variety of guys today.”

The Tigers won the game, 7-6, over the Chicago White Sox. Outfielder Riley Greene also homered—giving him a chance to don the pizza spear. 

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