Last Updated 09/30/08 :

The intersection of Michigan and Trumbull has been home to Tiger Stadium since April of 1912, when it was named Navin Field. After a series of expansions including bringing aboard night baseball, Tiger Stadium evolved to its present look today as the (former) home of the Major League Detroit Tigers. The last Tiger game at Tiger Stadium was played in September 1999 as the baseball team moved to the new state of the art Comerica Park. In 2006, the City of Detroit decided to tear down the ballpark and demolition began on June 30, 2008.

Many thanks to Richard Weiss for photos and info below.

July 4, 2008

The photos here show Tiger Stadium on July 4, 2008. Demolition began the previous Monday. You can see some of the signage is gone including the neon letters spelling out the stadium's name at the entrance. The corner of Trumbull and Michigan is certainly not going to look the same after it's gone. The stadium almost made it to the ripe old age of 100. The last game held in Tiger Stadium was at the end of the 1999 season.

Tiger Stadium sign on July 4, 2008
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The billboards for the Bud Bowl are from when Detroit hosted the Superbowl in 2006. The Bud Bowl was held in the stadium, probably the last event to be held there.

Tiger Stadium
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Tiger Stadium and Bud Bowl sign
Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy Group (site still under construction) is trying to save part of the stadium. According to the July 10, 2008 edition of the Detroit News, "The conservancy is racing to prove it can raise $12 million to $15 million to rescue the baseball diamond, dugouts, 3,000 seats and an area that would house Hall of Fame Tiger broadcaster Ernie Harwell's collection of sports memorabilia. The Save Tiger Stadium Web site is accepting public donations, and Spicer said Wednesday morning plans are being finalized to get Harwell's foundation involved in the fund raising."

In addition, according the Detroit News article, " In a last-minute reprieve, the nonprofit was given until Aug. 1 by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to prove it has a solid plan. If the nonprofit fails, all of the stadium will be demolished and much of it sold for scrap; the prices of iron, copper and steel are particularly high at the moment. The city still owns the stadium property, and after demolition it will seek development proposals."

Below are more photos of the last days of Tiger Stadium. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for update.

July 13, 2008

Here are a few pictures of Tiger Stadium as it looked the afternoon of July 13, 2008. This is the view seen from I-94. As you see, a big chunk of the north wall is now gone. Curiously the infield still looks immaculate, ready for the next game and the American flag watches over as another Detroit icon disappears.

In contrast and 180 degrees from facing the stadium pictures is the brand new almost ready to open hotel for the Motor City Casino. The vacant land you see is from the demolition of dozens of nineteenth century homes to make way for parking lots for the stadium.

Tiger Stadium as of July 13, 2008
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Below are more photos from July 13.

July 23, 2008

At this point, nearly the entire north end has disappeared. I saw a picture taken Monday night where the upper deck had crashed down and looked like the results of an earthquake. Many of these photos were taken over the tall fence, the height of which is pictured here to the right.

Tiger Stadium seen over the tall fence
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

As the photos were being taken from across the freeway the exit ramp was backed up and someone plowed into the back of another car. Clearly the driver had been gawking at the carnage of another Detroit landmark instead of the road.

Tiger Stadium demolition continues on July 23, 2008
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The close up shows the original wall that had been covered in aluminum around 1970. In my opinion the stadium would have looked far better without the aluminum sheathing.

Close up of the original wall
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Below are more photos from July 23. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for latest photos and update. 07-08

August 1, 2008

The left field bleachers is now gone at Tiger Stadium. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for latest photos and update. 08-08

August 18, 2008

Tiger Stadium is now half gone as of August 18, 2008. What you can not see here is that Tiger Plaza on the other side is now completely gone. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for latest photos and update. 09-08

September 24, 2008

These photos from September 24th show what remains of old Tiger Stadium. This may be as far as the demolition will go until March next year when we know if the group trying to save the part from dug out to dug out is successful in obtaining funding. Tiger plaza as you see is now only a memory. . Many thanks to Richard Weiss for latest photos and update. 09-08

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