Abandoned

And soon to be torn down.

Tiger Stadium, Corktown - Detroit, Michigan.

I entered the stadium through those gates on the left many times when I was a kid, heading for seats along the third base line or out in left field. I watched Trammel and Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, Frank Tanana, Matt Nokes, Darrel Evans, Chet Lemon, Sparky Anderson, and who knows who else in that stadium, not to mention a lot of other athletes from other teams. That parking lot used to be filled with vendors hawking novelty bats, teddy bears, shirts, hats, peanuts, and whatever else you might be able to think of. People would be all over the place, leaving their cars, herding kids to or from the stadium, chattering excitedly, ready for a day at the ballpark or ready to hit the road for home.

I love that stadium. I cherish the memories that I have of driving for a few hours with my dad to see the Tigers play. I've thought many times about how I wish that dad had lived long enough to go to a game with me and my son, and i'd always hoped that it would be in this building.

None of that will happen now, but I still have my memories, and now these pictures to remind me of the best stadium in baseball.

It was a great place.