It’s a small target. In fact, the Tigers have finally decided it’s too small of a target.
Astute Comerica Park observers might have noticed that for 2026, the hole in the glove of the Little Caesars mascot atop the bullpens has grown substantially. It’s actually now more than twice the size of what it was — which should more than double fans’ chances of one day perhaps scoring some free pizza.
The Little Caesars advertisement atop the bullpens beyond the left-center field wall was installed at Comerica Park ahead of the 2021 season, as a fun little promo: Should a Tiger hit a home run through the round hole in the glove, then fans would get free pizza.
Problem is, five seasons in, no Tiger has done it during a game. Not once. There have been occasional close calls, but none have triggered the pizza prize.
So, the Tigers and Little Caesars — both owned by the Ilitch family — decided to improve the odds this season. The hole used to be less than 3 feet across, or 33 inches. It is now 6 feet across, or 72 inches, according to the ballclub. The Tigers say the diameter of the target has doubled, and that the total area has nearly tripled.
If a Tiger one day finally hits a home run through the whole on Caesar’s mitt, then all fans — not just those in attendance at that day’s game — will receive a promo code for a free large pepperoni or cheese pizza. The pizzas will be redeemable at all participating southeast Michigan Little Caesars locations, which includes most if not all of the Metro Detroit stores. It must be a Tiger to hit the home run; an opponent’s home run does not count.
Home runs that will trigger the free pizza:
A direct home run into the mitt.
A home run that hits the top of the bullpens and rolls in.
A home run that hits the top of the bullpens and bounces in.
Home runs that won’t trigger the free pizza:
Any ball that is interfered with by a fan.
Any ball that is thrown into the hole by a fan.
Any ball that deflects off an outfielder’s glove, head, body, etc., and goes in.
Just to be clear, it must be a home run to trigger the free pizza. It can’t be a ground-rule double.
Since the start of the 2021 season, the Tigers have hit exactly 401 home runs at home. That total includes six this season, including four in Saturday’s 11-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
It’s about 380 to 390 feet to the hole in Caesar’s glove, to score the free pizza.
As for the breadsticks, well, you’re on your own.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers have tried to give you free pizza since 2021. Now, they’re trying harder
Reporting by Tony Paul, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
