It’s long gone now, but 100 years ago today the Tigers moved into their new home at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull.
Navin Field — renamed Briggs Stadium in 1938 and Tiger Stadium in 1961 — opened on this date in 1912.
Before that, starting in 1896, the Tigers played in Bennett Park — also at The Corner. But Bennett Park was demolished to make way for the new stadium, which stood until 2009, nine years after the Tigers moved to Comerica Park.
Here’s an excerpt recalling the events of April 20, 1912, from the 1999 Free Press book “The Corner.”
“It was a sunny but chilly Saturday in Detroit. More than 24,000 filled a park designed to accommodate 23,000 in its yellow slat seats.
“Those not already standing in the roped-off outfield got on their feet in the bottom of the first inning when Ty Cobb, timing the Cleveland pitcher’s delivery perfectly, took off from third base and hook-slid around the lunging catcher to register the first run at Navin Field.
“Cobb later added another stolen base and a couple of nifty catches as the Tigers won, 6-5, in 11 innings.”
For the full article and pictures, see “Tiger Stadium centennial: Old park saw plenty of changes, glory”, Detroit Free Press, April 20, 2012.