| Comerica Park | |
|---|---|
  |
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| Location | 2100 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201 |
| Broke ground | October 29, 1997 |
| Opened | April 11, 2000 |
| Owner | Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority |
| Operator | Ilitch Holdings, Inc. |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost | $300 million |
| Architect | HOK Sport (Kansas City) |
| Tenants | Detroit Tigers (MLB) (2000-present) |
| Capacity | 41,000 (2000) 41,782 (2008) |
| Field dimensions | Left Field - 345 ft (105 m) Left-Center - 370 ft (113 m) Center Field - 420 ft (128 m) Right-Center - 365 ft (111 m) Right Field - 330 ft (101 m) |
Comerica Park is a ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Events 437 - Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Ilitch Holdings Inc was established in 1999 to provide all companies owned by Mike Ilitch and Marian Ilitch with professional and technical services The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA A baseball park, baseball stadium, or ball park / ballpark is the field of play in the game of Baseball and the spectator seating areas Downtown is a term primarily used in North America to refer to a city's core usually in a geographical commercial and community sense It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000. The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League ( AL) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in Tiger Stadium (formerly Navin Field then Briggs Stadium is a Stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. Comerica Park is located next door to Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions. Ford Field is an indoor football Stadium located in Detroit Michigan that is the home of the Detroit Lions of the NFL. The Detroit Lions are an American football team based in Detroit Michigan.
The park is named after a corporate sponsor, Comerica Bank, which was based in Detroit at the time the park opened, and which paid for the naming rights. Comerica Incorporated ( is a Financial services company headquartered in Dallas Texas with locations in other states including Michigan California Texas Arizona Naming rights are the right to name a piece of Property, either tangible property or an event usually granted in exchange for financial considerations Comerica has since moved to Dallas, Texas.
Contents |
History
Groundbreaking for a new ballpark to replace Tiger Stadium for the Detroit Tigers was held on October 29, 1997 and the new stadium was opened to the public in 2000. Groundbreaking is a traditional Ceremony in many cultures that celebrates the first day of Construction for a Building or other project Events 437 - Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar At the time of construction, the scoreboard in left field was the largest in Major League Baseball. [1] The first game was held on April 11 against the Seattle Mariners. Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington, United States. The new stadium is part of a downtown revitalization plan for the city of Detroit, which included the construction of Ford Field, adjacent to the park. In December 1998, Comerica Bank agreed to pay $66 million over 30 years for the naming rights for the new ballpark. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Upon its opening, there was some effort to try to find a nickname for the park, with the abbreviation CoPa suggested by many [2], but that nickname has not gained widespread acceptance. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. It is often referred to simply as Comerica. The first playoff game at Comerica was played on October 6, 2006 against the New York Yankees. Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York.
In marked contrast to Tiger Stadium, which was considered a hitter's paradise, Comerica Park is considered to be extremely friendly to pitchers. Except for dead center (420 versus Tiger Stadium's 440), the outfield dimensions were more expansive than those at Tiger Stadium. This led to complaints from players and fans alike, and engendered the sarcastic nickname Comerica National Park.
Although a few public figures (notably radio announcer Ernie Harwell) supported the dimensions, most agreed that the left-field wall, in particular, needed to be brought closer to home plate. William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell (born January 25, 1918 in Washington Georgia) is a former American Sportscaster, known Before the 2003 MLB season the club did so, moving the distance from left-center field from 395 to 370 feet (from 120 to 113 meters). This also removed the flagpole from the field of play, originally incorporated as an homage to Tiger Stadium. Two years later, the bullpens were moved from right field to an empty area in left field created when the fence was moved in. In place of the old bullpens in right field, 950 seats were added for a new capacity of 41,070. In Baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief Pitchers warm-up before entering a game
The stadium also includes many baseball-themed features, including a "Monument Park" (similar to that of Yankee Stadium) in the deep center field stands, complete with statues of former Tigers, including Ty Cobb, Hank Greenberg, Al Kaline, and Willie Horton. The original Yankee Stadium is a Stadium located in The Bronx in New York City. Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18 1886 – July 17 1961 nicknamed " The Georgia Peach," was a baseball player and is regarded by historians Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg ( January 1, 1911, New York New York – September 4, 1986) nicknamed "Hammerin' Albert William "Al" Kaline, also known as Mr Tiger, (ˈkʰeɪˌlaɪn born December 19, 1934 in Baltimore Maryland) is a former Willie Wattison Horton (born October 18 1942 in Arno Virginia) is a former Left fielder and Designated
In 2005, Comerica Park hosted the 76th MLB All-Star Game, the first to be played in Detroit since 1971. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League In the Home Run Derby, held the day before, Bobby Abreu slammed 24 home runs in the first round, breaking the previous record of 15. The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu /aˈbreʲu/ (nicknamed El Comedulce) (born March 11 1974 in Turmero Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Abreu won the Derby over Tiger Iván Rodríguez and hit a record 41 homers during the event. Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 30 1971 in Manatí Puerto Rico) also known as "Pudge Rodríguez" and "I-Rod", is a Major In the All-Star Game, the American League won 7-5 with Miguel Tejada winning the game's MVP award. Miguel Odalis Tejada (born Miguel Odalis Tejeda on May 25 1974
On October 21, 2006, Comerica Park hosted the first World Series game in the history of the ballpark (Game 1 of the 2006 World Series). For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball 's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and On June 12, 2007, the first no hitter was thrown at Comerica Park by Justin Verlander. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. In Baseball, a no-hitter (also known as a no-hit game, or colloquially a no-no) refers to a game in which one of the teams prevented the other from getting Justin Brooks Verlander (born February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for The Tigers won the game 4-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers are a Major League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which plays in the Central Division of the National League It was also the first no hitter thrown by a Tiger in the city of Detroit since Virgil Trucks accomplished the feat in 1952. Virgil Oliver Trucks (born April 26 1917) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.
Comerica Park has played host to major recording acts in concert such as Eminem (2005), The Rolling Stones (2005), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (2003) and Bon Jovi (2003). Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17 1972 known as Slim Shady and his primary Stage name Eminem, is an Academy Award -winning The E Street Band is a musical group that has periodically toured and recorded with Rock musician Bruce Springsteen since 1972 Bon Jovi is an American Hard rock band from Sayreville New Jersey. The first act to play the venue was the Dave Matthews Band in the summer of 2000. Dave Matthews Band (also known by the initials DMB) is a United States -based rock band originally formed in Charlottesville, Virginia In full-stage shows fans actually are seated on the infield diamond and the stage is in the outfield grass. Tiger players and former manager Alan Trammell complained about the quality of the playing outfield in 2005 after successive concerts by Eminem and The Rolling Stones; however, concerts at the venue are popular for Detroiters since Comerica is one of the only outdoor concert venues in the city of Detroit, along with Chene Park and the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, approximately 40 miles (65 km) north of Detroit. Alan Stuart Trammell (born February 21, 1958 in Garden Grove California) is a retired American Baseball Shortstop of the __NOEDITSECTION__ The Detroit International Riverfront is an area so designated by the nonprofit city sponsored managing entity the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy incorporated as a The DTE Energy Music Theatre is a 15274-seat Amphitheater located in Clarkston Michigan. Clarkston, known officially by the somewhat confusing name City of the Village of Clarkston, is a city located within Independence Charter Township in Oakland On July 27, 2007, Comerica hosted a stop of the 2007 Warped Tour. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Warped Tour' is a touring music and Extreme sports festival
On May 24, 2008, the tiger statue at the main entrance to the ballpark was dressed with a Detroit Red Wings jersey as the Red Wings were playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals during that time. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Detroit Red Wings are a professional Ice hockey team based in Detroit Michigan, and current Stanley Cup champions The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional Ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Stanley Cup (La Coupe Stanley is an Ice hockey club championship Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL playoffs champion The jersey is usually worn by the Spirit of Detroit, but was undergoing restoration during that time. The Spirit of Detroit is a city monument with a large bronze statue created by Marshall Fredericks and located at the Coleman A [3]
First game
The first game at Comerica Park was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2000 with 39,168 spectators attending, on a cold snowy afternoon. Grounds people had to clear snow off the field from the night before. The Tigers defeated the Seattle Mariners 5-2. The winning pitcher, like in the final game at Tiger Stadium was Brian Moehler. In Baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the Pitcher's mound toward the Catcher to begin each play with the goal of The final game at Tiger Stadium was played on September 27, 1999 between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. Brian Merritt Moehler (born December 31, 1971 in Rockingham North Carolina) is a Starting pitcher with the Houston Astros.
Original plans called for an F-16 flyover from nearby Selfridge Air National Guard Base and a parachutist carrying the first pitch ball and the rosin bag. Selfridge Air National Guard Base or Selfridge ANGB is a joint Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard installation located in Harrison Township Unfortunately, the weather caused a scratch of both occurrences. Nonetheless, there was a passing of the flag to the flagpole in center in reverse order as there was to take it down from Tiger Stadium. Elden Auker, who had received the flag at Tiger Stadium and given it to Brad Ausmus, passed the flag along a line of players to the flagpole in center. Elden Le Roy Auker ( September 21 1910 – August 4 2006) was an American right-handed Pitcher in Major League Bradley David Ausmus (born April 14 1969) is an American Catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros The unfurled 150x300 American flag is the largest in the nation, for the singing of the national anthem. " The Star-Spangled Banner " is the National anthem of the United States of America
Features
Outside of the main entrance to the stadium there is a tiger statue that is approximately 15 feet (4. The tiger ( Panthera tigris) is a member of the Felidae family the largest and the most powerful of the four " Big cats quot in the Genus 6 m) in height. There are eight other heroic-sized tiger statues throughout the park, including two prowling on top of the scoreboard in left field. These tigers' eyes light up after a Tigers home run or a victory and the sound of a growling tiger plays as well. The nine tigers were created by New York Sculptor Michael Keropian. Along the brick walls outside of the park are thirty-three tiger heads with lighted baseballs in their mouths.
At the left-center field concourse there are statues of all of the players whose numbers have been retired by the Tigers (with the exception of Jackie Robinson, whose number was retired in every MLB park in 1997). Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. They include Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhouser, Willie Horton and Hank Greenberg. Albert William "Al" Kaline, also known as Mr Tiger, (ˈkʰeɪˌlaɪn born December 19, 1934 in Baltimore Maryland) is a former Charles Leonard Gehringer ( May 11 1903 – January 21 1993) nicknamed “ The Mechanical Man,” was a Major League Baseball Harold "Prince Hal" Newhouser ( May 20, 1921 – November 10, 1998) was a professional Major League Baseball Pitcher Willie Wattison Horton (born October 18 1942 in Arno Virginia) is a former Left fielder and Designated Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg ( January 1, 1911, New York New York – September 4, 1986) nicknamed "Hammerin' A statue of Ty Cobb is also there, but he does not have a number, as he played baseball before players began to wear numbers on their uniforms. Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18 1886 – July 17 1961 nicknamed " The Georgia Peach," was a baseball player and is regarded by historians These players' names, along with the names of Hall of Fame players who spent a significant part of their career with the Tigers, are also on a wall in left center field, and to them is added Ernie Harwell, the team's long-time radio announcer. William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell (born January 25, 1918 in Washington Georgia) is a former American Sportscaster, known Harwell has a statue just inside the stadium on the first base side.
The field itself features a distinctive dirt strip between home plate and the pitcher's mound. This strip was common in early ballparks, yet very rare in modern facilities. (The only other current major league stadium to feature this being Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Chase Field is a Baseball Stadium located in downtown Phoenix Arizona, and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of the Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, )
In the northeastern corner of the stadium behind the stands from the third base line is a Ferris wheel with twelve cars designed like baseballs. A Ferris wheel (also known as an observation wheel or big wheel) is a Nonbuilding structure consisting of an upright wheel with passenger gondolas attached In the northwestern corner of the stadium behind the stands from the first base line is a carousel. A carousel ( carrousel in French) is an Amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers
The flagpole located between center and left fields was originally in play, as was the flag pole in Tiger Stadium. However, the left field wall was moved in front of the pole before the 2003 season. A ball that hits the pole is now ruled a home run.
The right field of the stadium features the Pepsi Porch that has been graced by home runs from only the best lefty batters. This area also features "Kaline's Corner", a seating area in honor of Hall of Fame right fielder Al Kaline.
An LED scoreboard was added to the right-center field wall, and the upper deck fascia for the 2007 season.
The ballpark is located near several downtown churches, including St. John's Episcopal Church and Central United Methodist Church. On the roof of St. John's there is a banner that says "Pray Here For the Lions and Tigers!"
Other features include:
- After Friday and Saturday games, there is an on-field fireworks display for the fans to enjoy.
- Whenever the Tigers score a run, the sound of a tiger growling is played through the public address system.
Criticism
Replacing popular Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park faced high expectations upon its opening, and many fans have criticized it. [4] Complaints about Comerica include its dimensions, an upper deck that sits significantly farther from the action than at Tiger Stadium, and a lack of cover for most seats, which can leave fans exposed to the elements. The park also faces south, which allows for a good view of the downtown skyline, but which also puts the setting sun in the faces of a large percentage of the crowd.
Some of the more traditional baseball fans have criticized the amount of non-baseball attractions at the park, notably the inclusion of a Ferris Wheel and Merry-go-round. A Ferris wheel (also known as an observation wheel or big wheel) is a Nonbuilding structure consisting of an upright wheel with passenger gondolas attached A carousel ( carrousel in French) is an Amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers [5]
In addition, the stadium has been cited as an unsatisfactory replacement of historic buildings demolished for it, such as the Wolverine Hotel and YMCA and YWCA buildings. The Young Men's Christian Association (" YMCA " or " the Y " was founded on June 6, 1844 in London England by a young man For other uses see Young Women's Christian Association The World YWCA is the umbrella organization of the global network of the YWCA - a movement of women working for
General Motors promotions
Fountains in center field are set off whenever the Tigers score, and also between innings. The water show is also played pregame and postgame, and can be set to music. General Motors purchased the naming rights to the fountain, which is also referred to as Liquid Fireworks. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. Two GM vehicles are placed atop the fountain.
Photo gallery
 Comerica Park during 2006 ALCS game four. |
 Comerica Park entrance as fans wait to get into the stadium before ALCS game four in 2006. |
 Comerica Park entrance gates from Adams Street. |
 Comerica scoreboard from upper left field seats during ALCS 2006. |
 Field of green sunshine from center. |
 View from left field during a sell out. |
 Tigers opening day 2007; view from section 326 |
 View from behind home plate. |
 General Motors Fountain sprays every home run. |
 Statues of Tiger greats line the outfield wall. |
 Legend statues |
 Bullpen behind left field wall was moved in 2003 from right field when original dimensions were changed. |
 Ferris wheel and cast iron tiger heads. |
 View from the Pepsi Porch picnic section in the outfield; in 2008 a new bleacher section was created which obscures this view. |
 The interior concession and upper suites. |
 Ferris wheel courtyard. |
 Merry-go-round at Comerica Park. |
 Directly across Woodward is Fox Theatre. The Fox Theatre near Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit Michigan was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29 1989 |
 Justin Verlander gets mobbed after the final out of his no hitter. Justin Brooks Verlander (born February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for |
 Scoreboard announces the first Tiger pitcher no hitter at home since 1952. |
 Memorial display. |
 View of field level. |
 Ferris wheel from outside stadium. |
 Press box from field level. |
 The main entrance of Comerica Park. |
 Entrance sign. |
 New bleacher additions for 2008. |
See also
References and further reading
- Fisher, Dale (2003). Tourism in metropolitan Detroit Michigan is a significant factor for the region's culture and for its economy, comprising nine percent of the area's Building Michigan: A Tribute to Michigan's Construction Industry. Grass Lake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN 1891143247.
External links
- Detroit Tigers: Comerica Park
- Video review of Comerica Park with on-site footage
- Google Maps aerial photo
- Comerica Park Tiger Sculptures
| Preceded by Tiger Stadium |
Home of the Detroit Tigers 2000 – present |
Succeeded by Current |
| Preceded by Minute Maid Park |
Host of the All-Star Game 2005 |
Succeeded by PNC Park |
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