David Dombrowski

A native of Chicago, Dave Dombrowski’s first experience in Michigan was as a business student at Western Michigan University. His career in baseball began with the Chicago White Sox and progressed to the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins. As President and General Manager of the Detroit Tigers, he is credited with turning around the franchise after its American League record losing season in 2003.

Highlights of Dombrowski’s 14-year tenure in Detroit include American League Championships and the World Series in 2006 and 2012, among five playoff appearances that resulted in three consecutive American League Championship Series appearances. Before his arrival, the Tigers had appeared in the playoffs just four times in 60 years.

Dombrowski is credited with luring manager Jim Leyland, a Michigan Sports Hall of Famer, out of retirement to lead the Tigers to success, as well as the key free agent signings of Michigan Sports Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez and Kenny Rogers and the trade for Miguel Cabrera.