Tigers vs. Red Sox

Lore & Background

The stadium was nicknamed 'The Corner' for its location at the intersection of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. It was declared a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1975 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The last Tigers game was held in September 1999, and demolition was completed in September 2009. The former playing field remained until 2018, when the site was redeveloped as the Corner Ballpark.

In Their Own Story

October. The sky over the ballpark is the color of old pewter, and the air smells like cut grass and the faint sweetness of the concession stands' popcorn. You're in the lower bowl, third base side, and the Red Sox bat is up. The batter taps his helmet, looks out toward the Detroit crowd, and you feel the whole section lean forward a half-inch without anyone telling them to. The pitcher winds up. The crack of the bat is so sharp it sounds like a snap in a quiet library. The ball is gone, deep, and for two seconds nobody breathes. Then the outfielder is running, the crowd is a single roaring animal, and the guy next to you—some kid in a faded '84 Tigers jersey—has his arms around your neck like he's known you twenty years. You didn't. You know him for the next six innings, and that's enough. That's the whole thing. Two old clubs, one October night, and the noise in your ears for a week.

Reader's Guide

Tiger Stadium was tied with Fenway Park as the oldest stadium in MLB when it closed; the two parks opened on the same date in 1912. Taking predecessor Bennett Park into account, Tiger Stadium was the oldest MLB site in use in 1999. The stadium featured a 125-foot tall flagpole in fair play, an overhang in right field, and 'obstructed view' seats behind support columns.

Did You Know?

• The stadium hosted the Detroit Lions from 1938 to 1939 and 1941 to 1974, including two NFL Championship Games in 1953 and 1957.
• On July 18, 1921, Babe Ruth hit what is believed to be the longest verified home run in MLB history at Tiger Stadium, clearing the center field and landing into the street.
• The first night game at the stadium was held on June 15, 1948, due to then-owner Walter Briggs's dislike of night baseball.