Detroit Tiger's 2 Best Cheerleaders - Killed in Hit & Run
01 08 13 - 20:18
Last weekend, Detroit's sports scene lost a couple of it's iconic supporters. James Van Horn, aka "The Eat 'em Up Tigers Guy" & "Dreadlock Mike" Alston were the victims of a hit & run in Eastern Market early Sat am.
The pair were known to fans around the city, because they added character, exuberance, or just a gap-tooth smile before every Tigers or Wings game. It seemed to me that everybody paused to smile & talk to James on game day. He'd stop only for a moment, smile at the person in front of him, then he'd quickly resume chanting "Eat 'em up Tigers, eat 'em up!". He always was smiling as he shook his plastic Hulk Hand with its magic cup that made you want to drop in a buck. Mike seemed a bit more reserved to me, almost stoic from his wheelchair vantage point, but everybody in Detroit knew him.
I will miss both of these guys, because they were amiable folks, game day fixtures if you will, but they represented the resilience of Detroit. Despite the bumpy roads they may have traveled in their lives, they both touched the hearts of thousands of Detroiters.
Over $5k in donations for funeral and burial costs were collected at a YouCaring.com , a page started by Corey Haskins. James' Funeral is tomorrow (Fri), Mike's is Saturday.
Police still are seeking a dark-colored Dodge Avenger, which was the first vehicle to hit the men, followed by a white Cadillac that was impounded yesterday. Police also said the vehicle may have had an out-of-state license plate.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the driver involved in the fatal collision. Callers may provide tips anonymously by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
GodSpeed guys & thanks for helping us feel like a part of your city.
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