Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila throws to first base during a 2013 game against the Texas Rangers. (Photo by Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)

Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila will be inducted into the West Michigan Whitecaps Hall of Fame during his former Midwest League team’s winter banquet Thursday.

Avila played seven seasons with the Tigers before spending last year with the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers recently re-signed him to a one-year, $2 million deal. He has a .240 batting average, 73 HR and 293 RBI in 740 major-league games.

Avila made his professional debut with the Whitecaps in 2008. He batted .305 with 1 HR and 22 RBI in 58 games with West Michigan that year. He made his MLB debut for the Tigers in August 2009.

You can read more about the 23rd annual Whitecaps Community Foundation Winter Baseball Banquet here.

Whitecaps seek food ideas

It’s that time of year again when the Whitecaps seek fan ideas for unique food items to be sold at Fifth Third Ballpark during the upcoming season.

This is the eighth year the Whitecaps are doing this contest. Previous winning submissions include the Auger Dogger (a deep-fried hot dog on a stick, wrapped in spiral potato chips), the Baco (a taco in a bacon shell), the Declaration of Indigestion (a giant Philly cheesesteak sandwich), Chicks with Sticks (celery, carrots and hummus), Dutch Love (a combination of pot roast, cheese curds, French fries and turkey gravy), and Hot-To-Tot (Buffalo tater tots with pulled chicken topped with blue cheese).

Submissions can be made via e-mail at playball@whitecapsbaseball.com or via the Whitecaps’ Facebook page, Twitter account or Instagram account, through Friday, Jan. 27. All submissions should include a complete description and a photo, if possible.

The food ideas will be pared down by Whitecaps staff, and starting February 23, fans will be able to vote for their choice for the new 2017 concession item. Voting will take place on the Whitecaps website, www.whitecapsbaseball.com.