Kirk Gibson to headline Whitecaps' annual Winter Banquet

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Former Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers legend Kirk Gibson will headline the West Michigan Whitecaps Community Foundation Winter Banquet.

It will take place Thursday, January 30, at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.

Gibson was a star football receiver at Michigan State University in the late 1970s before signing to play baseball with the Detroit Tigers. He is best known for hitting a homerun in the deciding Game 5 of the Tigers' 1984 World Series win over the San Diego Padres. And even more so for limping up to the plate in the 1988 World Series and belting a pinch-hit homerun.

Joining Gibson at the winter banquet will be Detroit Tigers Vice President and Assistant General Manager Ryan Garko.

Here is more information from a Whitecaps' news release:

In a one-of-a-kind fireside chat, Gibson will share memories from his Major League career, relive the excitement of the 2024 Tigers season and discuss predictions and expectations for the upcoming season of Tigers baseball. Garko will recap the Detroit Tigers' late-season run to the playoffs in 2024 and provide updates about what Tigers and Whitecaps fans can expect from those respective clubs in 2025.

The Winter Banquet will showcase the Whitecaps Hall of Fame induction during the program. The 2025 inductee is current outfielder and 2024 All-Star Riley Greene. WOOD TV8 Sports Director Jack Doles will host a video interview with Greene, who will not be present at the evening's event. Greene played for the Whitecaps during the end of the 2019 season. In his West Michigan debut, he produced a multi-hit game including a memorable inside-the-park home run in front of the home crowd.

This year's banquet will feature a cocktail hour and silent auction prior to a plated dinner during the program. All proceeds benefit the Whitecaps Community Foundation and will provide financial underwriting for the YMCA Ted Rasberry Youth Baseball and Softball Program along with other Whitecaps Community Foundation programs.

"We are excited to be hosting Kirk Gibson and Ryan Garko and are looking forward to a fantastic event later this month. Both these individuals will bring excitement to the room talking Tigers and Whitecaps baseball, which should be an absolute treat ahead of both teams' upcoming seasons," said Whitecaps Community and Media Relations Manager Nate Phillips. "As is the case every year, this event is about more than baseball as we raise critical dollars to support the Ted Rasberry Youth League. This is a passion project for our organization, and we love celebrating the long-standing partnership between the Whitecaps and the YMCA that brings the joy of baseball and softball to Grand Rapids kids every summer."

Since its inception, the Ted Rasberry Youth League has given more than 30,000 children a chance to play organized baseball and softball free of charge each summer. The program provides uniforms, hats and T-shirts, teaches kids fundamental baseball and life skills, provides healthy meals, helps kids make long-lasting friendships and creates opportunities for summer fun.

Tickets are $150 per person. Corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities are available and can be purchased at whitecapscommunityfoundation.org/news-events/ or by calling the front office at 616-784-4131.

About the West Michigan Whitecaps: The Whitecaps Minor League Baseball team was established in 1994. The Whitecaps are a High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the Midwest League. The team's home games are played at LMCU Ballpark. For more information on the Whitecaps, Whitecaps Community Foundation or LMCU Ballpark visit whitecapsbaseball.com or contact Nate Phillips at NateP@whitecapsbaseball.com.