Detroit Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch Dies ... Created Little Caesars Pizza

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch -- who also founded Little Caesars Pizza -- has died at 87 ... his family confirmed.

Ilitch was worth a fortune ... reportedly more than $6 BILLION.

He also owned the Detroit Red Wings ... who won 4 Stanley Cups under his ownership.

“My father was a once-in-a-generation entrepreneur, visionary and leader, setting the tone for our organization and our family” ... Ilitch's son said in a statement.

Ilitch's family says he died at a local hospital.