Lions’ Caldwell Bumped From Throwing Tigers’ First Pitch by New Red Wings’ Coach Jeff Blashill

Tuesday the Detroit Red Wings made it official: Jeff Blashill, coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins for the past 3 seasons, is the new head coach of the Wings.

That very night Blashill was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers game, bumping the previously scheduled ceremonial first pitcher, Lions' coach Jim Caldwell.

The Detroit Free Press reports once the Tigers learned that the Wings would be introducing Blashill as the new head coach at press conference Tuesday, they contacted the Lions to ask if they could make a pitching change.

The swap was made and Blashill threw out the first pitch at the Tigers vs Chicago Cubs game June 9 (Which the Tigers ended up winning 6-0!)

Ron Colangelo, the Tigers' vice president of communications, said Caldwell "completely understood" the decision; the Lions' coach has an open invitation to throw out the first pitch at a future game.

At the press conference Tuesday, Blashill said of his new Wings' head coach position, "This is one of the most coveted jobs, I feel fortunate to be sitting here," the Detroit Free Press reports.

Blashill, who was born in Detroit and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie remarked, "It's a neat thing to ultimately be head coach of an organization that was a big part of your life growing up."