Biggby and the Tigers tie the knot in time for a chilly home opener

WEDNESDAY, April 3 — As eagerly as fans of the Detroit Tigers look forward to Opening Day, they also know cheering their baseball heroes in April can mean going to bat against chilly temperatures.

Bob Fish has hit many a home run since March 1995, when he opened the first Biggby Coffee location at 270 W. Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. The company Fish co-founded has earned All-Star status with both customers and franchisees since then, with 390 cafes as far away as Florida.

Until now, all Biggby and the Tigers have had in common is the bright orange of Biggby’s bags of ground and whole bean coffee.

That changes Friday, when Biggby and the Tigers will be on the same lineup card: Biggby has been named the team’s official coffee.

The first pitch against the Oakland Athletics is set for 1:10 p.m., when the mercury is expected to top out at 43 degrees. With that forecast, a hot coffee drink will be as welcome as a clutch two-out hit.

“The ‘B’ is in the ‘D’,” Fish said today, “and we couldn’t be more excited about uniting two great Michigan brands.”

Biggby coffee drinks will be available for purchase at Comerica Park, and Tigers fans will see Biggby signage throughout the concourse and in the outfield.

Biggby locations also join in on the fun with co-branded Biggby and Detroit Tigers gear, celebratory promotions and even some Detroit Tigers-inspired drinks.

New tastes ready to go to bat for Tigers fans' hearts include the Game Day Latte, a caramel-vanilla latte with festive orange sprinkles; the Tiger Stripe Sweet Foam Cold Brew, a mocha-and-white chocolate cold brew with a sweet foam topping; the Tiger Cub Magic Milk, a caramel milk drink with whipped cream and orange sprinkles; and the Triple Play Red Bull Mocktail, a combination of Red Bull, blood orange, and mango.

“Biggby Coffee is on its way to becoming part of the fabric of game days through this partnership,” marketing director Rita Bettino said in a statement.

“About 75% of our coffeehouses sit in the greater Tigers broadcasting and advertising region, and our owners and team members are excited to roar alongside passionate fans,” she said. “Game days often come with a lot of meaningful traditions among loved ones, and Biggby Coffee is excited to become a part of yours.”

Besides the ballpark, the new creations are available only at participating Biggby locations in Michigan, Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana, and Toledo, Ohio. Tigers fans are encouraged to check with their local store before ordering.

Local Biggby Coffee locations will offer special promotions at their stores and the stadium, while some fans will even score Tigers tickets.