Clyde’s Corner: The night the Detroit Tigers honored Grant W. Whitaker

by Clyde Whitaker

As many know, our son Grant William Whitaker, an Ingham County deputy, was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 7, 2014.

Grant was in a high-speed pursuit that night when equipment failure on the car rendered it undriveable and resulted in the car striking a tree and killing Grant instantly.

Four months later, Grant was honored in a special public event that our family will always remember.

In tribute to those killed in the line of duty, Major League Baseball plays National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Baseball Games every year for those who died the previous year.

The Detroit Tigers invited our family to attend this game in Detroit on April 22, 2015.

Upon arrival at Comerica Park, Tigers officials escorted us to an office and talked about the details of the ceremony. That is where we met Dave Rozema, who pitched for the Tigers in 1984, the year the team won the World Series.

Dave is a big supporter of law enforcement, a very friendly, happy-go-lucky type of a guy. He was wearing his World Series Championship ring on his left hand. It was HUGE!

I asked Dave if I could get a picture of him with my son Josh and grandson Henry. He graciously said yes, and even showed off the 1984 championship ring for the camera. Dave was so proud of that ring, and I would be, too!

After on-field ceremonies were complete, we took our seats up in the stands. Shortly thereafter, two Ingham County deputies approached me and handed me a baseball. They said Dave wanted to give me a memento to remember the occasion.

Well, the baseball was signed by Dave and it said “To Clyde, my blessings for you, best regards, Dave Rozema, 1984 champs.” Needless to say, it was an awesome thing for him to do, and I will never forget it.

It meant a lot that the Detroit Tigers and Dave Rozema showed their respect for the fallen officers, including our son Grant. Who knows, maybe the 2022 Tigers can be World Series champs again. It’s been a long time since 1984, and it would be awesome to see the team in the playoffs and World Series again.

I wish nothing but good luck to the Tigers, along with good health and blessings for my friend Dave Rozema. Dave, you are a great ambassador for the Detroit Tigers and all of baseball — a real class act in my book.

Clyde Whitaker is a 1973 Stockbridge graduate. He and his wife, Mary, raised four children in Stockbridge, and they still reside in the Stockbridge area.

Dave Rozema, a pitcher with the 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers, is pictured with Josh and Henry Whitaker in 2015. Photo credit: Clyde Whitaker

Dave Rozema in his younger years as a Detroit Tiger. Photo provided by Clyde Whitaker

Clyde Whitaker is a 1973 Stockbridge graduate. He and his wife, Mary, raised four children in Stockbridge, and they still reside in the Stockbridge area.