Tiger Stadium, a historic sports venue in Detroit, Michigan, has undergone significant transformations since its inception. Originally known as Navin Field, the stadium has been a central part of Detroit's sports culture, hosting both baseball and football games. This article explores the evolution of Tiger Stadium, from its early days to its eventual transformation into The Corner Ballpark.
Early Beginnings and Navin Field
In 1895, George Vanderbeck, the owner of the Detroit Tigers,
established a new stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. This venue, known as Bennett Park, featured a wooden grandstand and a peaked roof in the outfield. As the popularity of baseball grew, the need for a larger, more modern facility became apparent. In 1911, Frank Navin, the new owner of the Tigers, commissioned the construction of a steel-and-concrete ballpark on the same site. This new venue, Navin Field, opened on April 20, 1912, coinciding with the opening of Fenway Park in Boston.
Navin Field was designed to accommodate 23,000 spectators, a significant increase from its predecessor. The diamond was rotated 90 degrees from its original orientation, with home plate now located in what had been left field at Bennett Park. The first run at Navin Field was scored by Cleveland Naps player "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, who would later become infamous for his involvement in the Black Sox Scandal.
Expansion and Renaming
Over the years, Navin Field underwent several expansions to accommodate more fans. Following Frank Navin's death, Walter Briggs Sr. took over ownership and oversaw further expansions. By 1938, the stadium, now known as Briggs Stadium, had a capacity of 53,000. The city of Detroit agreed to move Cherry Street, allowing for the addition of a double-decked left-field seating area.
In 1961, under new ownership by John Fetzer, the stadium was renamed Tiger Stadium. This name would remain until its closure in 1999. During this period, the stadium underwent various renovations, including the replacement of wooden seats with plastic ones and a change in the interior color scheme from green to blue.
The Transition to The Corner Ballpark
Despite its rich history, by the early 1990s, Tiger Stadium was considered outdated. Efforts to preserve the stadium were ultimately unsuccessful, and it was demolished in 2009. However, the site did not remain vacant for long. In 2018, The Corner Ballpark opened on the former site of Tiger Stadium, serving as a venue for youth sports and community events.
The original flagpole from Tiger Stadium was preserved and now stands at The Corner Ballpark, serving as a reminder of the site's storied past. Today, The Corner Ballpark continues to honor the legacy of Tiger Stadium while providing a space for new generations to create their own memories.
