LAKELAND, Fla. (WXYZ) -- While reflecting on Mike Ilitch's death, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus knew exactly what a World Series title would have meant to the team's late owner.
"It's disappointing (because) he wanted to win," Ausmus told Brad Galli on Wednesday. "You could tell by his actions. He wanted a championship for the city of Detroit, and he wanted the Detroit Tigers to have a championship. It's unfortunate that we weren't - and the people before me - weren't able to get him that World Series trophy or ring."
However, Ausmus, like many of his players, feels an added sense of motivation for 2017 following Ilitch's death.
"It would be really nice to do it this year. I think this year it still counts. He still gets a ring."
