Tiger Stadium (original) (raw)
Tiger Stadium
| Location | Detroit, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Opened | April 20, 1912 |
| Capacity | 23,000 (1912)30,000 (1923)52,416 (1937) |
| Owned By | The City of Detroit |
| Architect: | Osborn Engineering |
| Dimensions (Final):LeftLeft-CtrCenterRight-CtrRightBackstop | 340 ft.365 ft.440 ft.370 ft.325 ft.66 ft. |
Tiger Stadium is a stadium located near downtown Detroit, Michigan. It hosted the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team for many years before recently moving into the new Comerica Park.
History
In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new stadium built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull avenues. That stadium was called "Bennett Park" and featured and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield and bleachers surrounding the infield. At the time, some places in the outfield were only marked off with rope.
In 1911, new Tigers owner Frank Navin ordered a new baseball stadium on the same site that would seat 23,000 to accommodate the growing numbers of fans and on April 11, 1912, "Navin Field" was opened, the same day as the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park.
Over the years, expansion continued to accommodate more people. In 1935, following the death of Frank Navin, new owner Walter Briggs oversaw the expansion of Navin Field to a capacity of 36,000. By 1938, the now-renamed "Briggs Stadium" had a capacity of 53,000.
Also in 1938, the NFL's Detroit Lions began a relationship that allowed them to host their home games at Briggs Stadium. They would play there through 1974, when their new home, the Pontiac Silverdome, opened in Pontiac, Michigan.
In 1961, new owner John Fetzer took control of the stadium and gave it its permanent name: Tiger Stadium.
On September 27, 1999, the final Detroit Tigers game was held at Tiger Stadium. Following the game, an emotional ceremony with past and present Tigers greats was held to mark the occasion.
On July 24, 2001, a Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Game between the Motor City Marauders and the Lake Erie Monarchs was played at Tiger Stadium. It was in an effort by a local sports management company that is seeking to bring a Frontier League, minor-league franchise to Detroit.
In August 2001, the HBO TV movie 61* was filmed in Tiger Stadium. To make the field appear to be Yankee Stadium, the infield and third deck seats were painted green and a skyline of the Bronx was added through the use of CG.