Eat 'Em Up Tigers guy killed in hit and run

Submitted by soupsnake on July 27th, 2013 at 9:58 AM

Detroit -

Detroit police tell Local 4 two men were hit and killed on Gratiot near Russell road at around 3 a.m. Saturday morning.

The two men killed are thought to be town favorites 'Eat Em Up Tigers' man, and 'Dreadlock Mike'.

Police say the two were crossing the road when they were struck by a small black vehicle that was seen leaving the scene.

The accident is currently under investigation. Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit for all updates.The men have not been officially identified at this time, however, witnesses assure Local 4 the men are Detroit's very own enthusiastic Tiger's fans known to many.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/two-town-favorites-killed-in-a-hit-and-run-accident/-/1719524/21203632/-/5248fj/-/index.html

MGoBoard

get-on-my-lawn

July 27th, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^

No way! That's first and foremost extremely sad. And Secondly, probably just one of the most bizzarre, random things that could happen.

Joined: 02/14/2013

MGoPoints: 1064

taistreetsmyhero

July 27th, 2013 at 10:04 AM ^

It's funny I think I've been to 20 or so tigers games, come and went from every different entrance and exit, and yet every time I've seen Eat 'em Up Tigers guy.

Joined: 08/08/2012

MGoPoints: 39396

get-on-my-lawn

July 27th, 2013 at 10:06 AM ^

Maybe he has a large number of brothers, all posing to be the eat em up tigers guy? Nobody bothers to figure out if it's one dude, they all just assume!

Joined: 02/14/2013

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a2_electricboogaloo

July 27th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^

Walking to Comerica isn't going to be the same. So sad.

Joined: 04/21/2011

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evenyoubrutus

July 27th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^

Noooo!

Joined: 11/04/2008

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Eat Your Wheatlies

July 27th, 2013 at 10:18 AM ^

This guy made walking into the ballpark fun. He'll be missed.

Joined: 11/17/2010

MGoPoints: 7618

LSAClassOf2000

July 27th, 2013 at 10:24 AM ^

It could have begun before this (it probably did), but I remember "Eat 'Em Up TIgers" guy (his name is James Van Horn, I believe) from as early as the 2006 season as well, and for all the games we've been to in that span, we would try to seek him out. He was a wondeful part of the atmosphere at Comerica, as well as Dreadlock Mike. Games will not be the same now.

Someone actually put together a small tribute here - (LINK)

Joined: 01/07/2011

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gotohail

July 27th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^

Very sad news :(

Joined: 02/26/2012

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redwhiteandmaize

July 27th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^

I got sidetracked while reading the tribute article by the Kate Upton article about how she got fat.Does that make me a bad person?

Joined: 02/04/2012

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Creedence Tapes

July 27th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^

Of course she did, that much Tits and Ass has to come with some baggage down the road...

Joined: 01/23/2011

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samdrussBLUE

July 27th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^

I will give you the tits not the ass

Joined: 01/21/2012

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samdrussBLUE

July 27th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^

No. I also checked out the Women of Jeter article

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gwkrlghl

July 27th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^

I suppose that makes me obese

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

jdon

July 27th, 2013 at 5:32 PM ^

My doctor keeps telling me I am obese... I'm like look dude, I don't smoke, I quit doing drugs, I don't even drink any more, I guess I'm just gonna have to be fat...

jdon

Joined: 09/28/2009

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MGoKalamazoo

July 27th, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^

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TheBlueBaller

July 27th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^

Man I can't believe it. I remember Eat Em Up Tigers guy from my first ever ball game. Even got pictures with him a few years ago. Horrible stuff

Joined: 05/26/2013

MGoPoints: 294

UMxWolverines

July 27th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^

Somebody better start an Eat Em Up Tigers chant at the game tonight or the make a tribute or something. That man deserves it.

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65474

Ltehse6143

July 27th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^

Oh no !! Say it isn't so !! And he was at Jimmy Buffet Saturday !! And at times raced (?) to get from Tigers Game to be in the 'mouse tube' @ JLA for the Wings Game !!! Always with a comment for us he knew .. He was truly part of The D experience !!! Hope they catch the driver ...

Joined: 07/27/2013

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samdrussBLUE

July 27th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

Looks like I will be tuned in to FSD in its entirety tonight

Joined: 01/21/2012

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Itsahilger

July 27th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^

Very sad day for Detroit sports fans. I'd really like to see the Tigers do a moment of silence in his honor tonight.

Joined: 03/14/2012

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Sledgehammer

July 27th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^

Why him of all homeless people? This is some baby back bullshit.

Joined: 09/05/2011

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ckersh74

July 27th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^

I think all we have left now is the Bongo Man.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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O Fo Sho

July 27th, 2013 at 12:16 PM ^

That's so sad. Like many on here, I'll always remember both of those guys. Dreadlock Mike was more of a quiet character, however I remember his as much as Eat Em Up guy. My wife this morning told me that Eat Em Up Tigers guy was hit last night. My son who is 8 remembers who he was and said "remember the guy we always see with the dreadlocks"....not know he too was hit. Sad Day....hopefully they are honored at the game by the crowd and the TIgers get a W.

Joined: 11/21/2011

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Rico616

July 27th, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^

RIP. I'm going to the game tonight. Some people have said that post game they want to get on the corner and chant "eat em tigers, eat em up!"

Joined: 07/01/2009

MGoPoints: 2864

TRIPP3

July 27th, 2013 at 2:00 PM ^

Both of them last night as I left the game. I work about 50 or so games a year for fox sports Detroit or the visit broadcast. And I would see them both every game. I have seen them on the back streets where it is dark. So I am not surprised that this happened. So sad.

Joined: 08/26/2010

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exmtroj

July 27th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^

Eat Em Up Guy was absolutely tireless. With his huge foam hand, he could keep that chant going for hours. When you're drunk and downtown on a gameday, he was pretty much the coolest guy ever. Sad to see him go. On a side note, how fitting is it that one of Detroit's most beloved mascot-ish people was a homeless man with a huge foam fist chanting and panhandling?

Joined: 10/24/2008

MGoPoints: 3318

ryanlove12

July 27th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^

I'm not even a tigers fan, but the park is a great place to watch baseball. The organization is great at delivering a good product as well, so I really enjoy going to games. This gentleman had become part of the tigers game experience. This is a very sad story.

Joined: 01/12/2013

MGoPoints: 451

HarmonHowardWoodson

July 27th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^

I, too, looked forward to seeing him at games. I had an extra ticket once and instead of trying to scalp it I gave it to him, figuring he probably didn't get to see many games (or he could scalp it himself).

Joined: 02/25/2012

MGoPoints: 3487

BeatOSU52

July 27th, 2013 at 8:58 PM ^

That is pretty sweet you gave him an extra ticket. Does anyone know if it was verified if he ever went to any games or was seen watching any games on TV? Just curious. Either way, he was the man and will be missed.

Joined: 11/13/2011

MGoPoints: 14554

exmtroj

July 27th, 2013 at 2:50 PM ^

If anyone is interested, all proceeds from this shirt will go to the funeral or a homeless-related charity:

http://downwithdetroit.spreadshirt.com/rip-eat-em-up-I12446100

Joined: 10/24/2008

MGoPoints: 3318

wolpherine2000

July 27th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^

...perpetrators are about as low as they come. Hit someone with your car who is very likely seriously injured and your first response is to worry about what might happen to you in court? Very sad.

Joined: 07/10/2009

MGoPoints: 8835