Why is Tiger Stadium Better than Comerica?

[RottenGazebo]

In most posts on this forum, most people think that Tiger Stadium is better than Comerica Park. Is it really better? Why is it better? Is it just the history of the park? How can Comerica earn as much respect as TS? I would like to hear anyone's comments. TYVM! :D

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In most posts on this forum, most people think that Tiger Stadium is better than Comerica Park. Is it really better? Why is it better? Is it just the history of the park? How can Comerica earn as much respect as TS? I would like to hear anyone's comments. TYVM! :D

Comerica will never get the repect that historic tiger stadium has.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Comerica will never get the repect that historic tiger stadium has.
Donald is right. For one thing, there is so much history at the Corner. And it was there when Detroit was a great city, not part of the rebuilding process. It's seen the rise of the auto industry (and falling of it), the 68 riots, a couple world wars and the associated parades afterwards, various Chop Houses, and Sonny Elliott. Comerica has a long way to go, with a lot of winning needed, to be on the same level as Tiger Stadium.
Comerica is a nice venue to watch a game, and the statues and kiosks inside show a respect for Detroit baseball history in a fine manner. But the on-the-field product, which has a lot to do with how successful a stadium can be, hasn't really enhanced the Comerica experience.
I am not the anti-Comerica, Tiger Stadium is the greatest type like Donald or Iffy the Poser at the Freep, but I like to think I'm grounded in reality. And the above is the reality of it.

[HDH]

I think Comerica is better than Tiger Stadium.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I think Comerica is better than Tiger Stadium.
In some ways, certainly. Having Leo's alone makes it top notch.

[Paulmcall]

You know it's nice to pull out the old photo albums and reminisce about Tiger Stadium. I'll always have fond memories of different games and a lot of loved ones I saw games there with.
However, Comerica is our home field now. So far, it feels like an arranged marriage (or perhaps a shotgun marriage).
I like the bigger concourses but I hate the far distances in the upper deck.
You felt kind of cozy with Tiger Stadium being enclosed. Comerica is going to take some time getting used to.
Having a winning team would do a lot to make us feel like going there.

[skeletor]

You know it's nice to pull out the old photo albums and reminisce about Tiger Stadium. I'll always have fond memories of different games and a lot of loved ones I saw games there with.
However, Comerica is our home field now. So far, it feels like an arranged marriage (or perhaps a shotgun marriage).
I like the bigger concourses but I hate the far distances in the upper deck.
You felt kind of cozy with Tiger Stadium being enclosed. Comerica is going to take some time getting used to.
Having a winning team would do a lot to make us feel like going there.


sure the corner, was better in an lot of things..a lot of the seats seemed
so close, that you could hear the players swear etc..and the ball jumped
outta the park, at any given moment...But I won't miss the poles behind
certain seats, the crappy bathrooms, the too small refreshment stands,
and the overall aging of the park..which was looking a tad on the seedy
side..perhaps the city of Detroit, Pizza Mike, and the Tigers,decided to
let the place ' go to pot '..but whatever your take on what happened..
the new park Comerica, is better across the board..sure, there's not much
history..for pete's sake, it's only been in service for 5 seasons, and prior
to Comerica's arrival, the last ten years or so with Tiger Stadium, wasn't
actually pretty top notch in regards to memories..as the Tigers have been
inna coma for close to 20 seasons..So give it some time..once the Tigers
start winning and playing,and rolling up victories, and maybe division titles
All this talk about how great the corner was, and how lame Comerica is,
will cease..It's like having a new girlfriend, but all one does,is talk about
how great the OLD one was..not giving the 'NEW ' one a fair shot..
If people were so full of passion for Tiger stadium, where were the mass
protests, the sit down strikes, the refusial of attending any games at
the new park..a'la Donald, ..protesting to the Detroit papers, media,
city of Detroit, and Pizza Mike ? only a few did..the majority it seem
wanted a new park..only problem is, you can't built a history or transfer
the old one..with Cobb, Kaline, Anderson,Gibson, etc..to the new park.
It'll take time..for the new one to have it's own history of wins etc..
Myself, I love Tiger Stadium, but it's time to move on..and accept
comerica...and hope for only the best for baseball in DETROIT ;)

[Knick9]

Agreed with Donald. Tiger Stadium is classic in its own right. Quite frankly, I do like the new stadium that the Tigers have, but I just can't see that ballpark having at least half the legacy that Tiger Stadium created. That's part of the reason why I want Tiger Stadium to survive.

[OldEnglishD]

In most posts on this forum, most people think that Tiger Stadium is better than Comerica Park. Is it really better? Why is it better? Is it just the history of the park? How can Comerica earn as much respect as TS? I would like to hear anyone's comments. TYVM! :D

Speaking only about the actual buildings -- There is NO WAY Tiger Stadium is better. None.

Now, that said - the nostalgic value, the good times had, the teams remembered - Tiger Stadium blows CoPa away.

I say this, give Comerica nearly 100 years, 3 championships, & the pennants that will come; and then compare ;)

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Speaking only about the actual buildings -- There is NO WAY Tiger Stadium is better. None.

Now, that said - the nostalgic value, the good times had, the teams remembered - Tiger Stadium blows CoPa away.

I say this, give Comerica nearly 100 years, 3 championships, & the pennants that will come; and then compare ;)
You have the right for your own opinion like anyone else, but you are wrong comerica park is a dump compared to tiger stadium. it will never match tiger stadium even in 100 years. and i have friends that have gone there and say that i does not compare to tiger stadium at all.the people here on this forum know that i hate comerica park with a passion and will never go there at all.so nobody will change me about that. the seats at tiger stadium are lot closer than any seat at the comerica park. and i have read about this and heard from other people that have gone there for a game.and i will not go to comerica park just to make people hear happy for me just to say that i have been there.comerica park will never last 100 years like tiger stadium. it will be lucky to be here in 30 years.

[racosun]

You have the right for your own opinion like anyone else, but you are wrong comerica park is a dump compared to tiger stadium. it will never match tiger stadium even in 100 years. and i have friends that have gone there and say that i does not compare to tiger stadium at all.the people here on this forum know that i hate comerica park with a passion and will never go there at all.so nobody will change me about that. the seats at tiger stadium are lot closer than any seat at the comerica park. and i have read about this and heard from other people that have gone there for a game.and i will not go to comerica park just to make people hear happy for me just to say that i have been there.comerica park will never last 100 years like tiger stadium. it will be lucky to be here in 30 years.

......blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.......

...haven't we heard this before? :crazy

[OldEnglishD]

....... and i will not go to comerica park just to make people hear happy for me just to say that i have been there.comerica park will never last 100 years like tiger stadium. it will be lucky to be here in 30 years.

How exactly will you going to Comerica Park make anyones hearing happier ? ;)

A true story ...
My 13 year old son hates fish; and because of that, he won't touch any seafood. Last year I took the family to the Olive Garden I ordered calamari as an appetizer. Well he had some, and had some more - and really liked it ! I then told him he just ate squid. He replied "ewwww". He wouldn't eat anymore that night or anytime after. Nowadays, he claims that he "really didn't like it that night either". I think he's convinced himself that its true.

The quoted text has me thinking that my son and you may have some things in common.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

How exactly will you going to Comerica Park make anyones hearing happier ? ;)

A true story ...
My 13 year old son hates fish; and because of that, he won't touch any seafood. Last year I took the family to the Olive Garden I ordered calamari as an appetizer. Well he had some, and had some more - and really liked it ! I then told him he just ate squid. He replied "ewwww". He wouldn't eat anymore that night or anytime after. Nowadays, he claims that he "really didn't like it that night either". I think he's convinced himself that its true.

The quoted text has me thinking that my son and you may have some things in common.
The fact of this is the following certain people hear in this forum feel that i should not say my opinion on that dummpy ball park since i have never been there.that is the reason that i am not going to that dump just to make people happy hear at the forum.i have seen all of the stadium that i care to see in the newspaper, tv news, and driving past the dump going downtown. and i have heard opinions from other people that have been there.there are alot of people here in the detroit area that dont like the stadium either.since i was in the tiger stadium fan club we all had a long battle over the stadium issue.and to alot of people in the club this is still a bitter topic even 5 years after that dumpy toilet bowl opened.

[skeletor]

The fact of this is the following certain people hear in this forum feel that i should not say my opinion on that dummpy ball park since i have never been there.that is the reason that i am not going to that dump just to make people happy hear at the forum.i have seen all of the stadium that i care to see in the newspaper, tv news, and driving past the dump going downtown. and i have heard opinions from other people that have been there.there are alot of people here in the detroit area that dont like the stadium either.since i was in the tiger stadium fan club we all had a long battle over the stadium issue.and to alot of people in the club this is still a bitter topic even 5 years after that dumpy toilet bowl opened.

blah,blah,blah, indeed ! like a CD that skips constantly...jeez O' petes
Donald....To call Copa, a Toilet Bowl, especially-WHEN you have never
set foot inside, to judge for ye self..is crazy.....heck, you probably
think that the Earth is flat, and the U.S. never landed on the moon
and more...final season ending question Donald..did you do any ACID
during yer hippie days ?
:rolleyes:

[runningshoes]

The fact of this is the following certain people hear in this forum feel that i should not say my opinion on that dummpy ball park since i have never been there.that is the reason that i am not going to that dump just to make people happy hear at the forum.i have seen all of the stadium that i care to see in the newspaper, tv news, and driving past the dump going downtown. and i have heard opinions from other people that have been there.there are alot of people here in the detroit area that dont like the stadium either.since i was in the tiger stadium fan club we all had a long battle over the stadium issue.and to alot of people in the club this is still a bitter topic even 5 years after that dumpy toilet bowl opened.

I can almost taste the lemon you leave sitting in your mouth.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

blah,blah,blah, indeed ! like a CD that skips constantly...jeez O' petes
Donald....To call Copa, a Toilet Bowl, especially-WHEN you have never
set foot inside, to judge for ye self..is crazy.....heck, you probably
think that the Earth is flat, and the U.S. never landed on the moon
and more...final season ending question Donald..did you do any ACID
during yer hippie days ?
:rolleyes:
Because of comments like this i will never go to that dump just to make people happy hear at this forum. people think just because i have never been there that i have no room to say my opinion on that dump.i have seen all i want to see of the stadium without going there. i saw my last game at tiger stadium in 1999.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I can almost taste the lemon you leave sitting in your mouth.
you are right i am very bitter about this even 5 years after that dump opened.and there are alot of other people like me out there also.i will tell you one thing that makes me happy is to see them lose 90 games in a season again.to bad it was not 100 losses.

[Paulmcall]

I don't take pleasure in someone else's misery. Nevertheless, ripping new things and griping about past wrongs won't make this a better world.
I'm all for constructive suggestions.
Anybody got any for making Comerica more fan friendly?
I think switching the bullpens was a good idea. I wish there was a way to get the upper deck closer to the action.

[racosun]

The fact of this is the following certain people hear in this forum feel that i should not say my opinion on that dummpy ball park since i have never been there.

I don't think people would have a problem with you if you managed to STAY ON TOPIC, instead of turning every single thread in the Tigers forum into a CoPa bash-a-thon and Tiger Stadium Fan Club sewing bee. We all know how unqualified your position is to comment on Comerica Park, due your inexpierience with it's amenities and seating views. Nodody can possibly take those comments seriously, except you of course.

[JamieMc]

Anyone ever read "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss??

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Anyone ever read "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss??
I am sure alot of people here read it years ago.the book is for kids not adults.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Captain Cold Nose]

I am sure alot of people here read it years ago.the book is for kids not adults.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Dr. Seuss is timeless, Sam I Am.

[2Chance]

Back in my drinkin' days, Fox In Socks (http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/dreeves/Fox-In-Socks.txt) was my favorite book....:crazy

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Let's not let this thread slide into the Literature Forum....

[JamieMc]

I am sure alot of people here read it years ago.the book is for kids not adults.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Yes, but it has a timeless lesson. You never know until you try it.

[racosun]

Yes, but it has a timeless lesson. You never know until you try it.

He's already stated that he won't try it. He's not a real Tigers fan, just a crotchety troll.

[MyDogSparty]

Is it just the history of the park?

JUST the history? It takes a long time to build up JUST the history. The history is a huge part of it for me. Baseball is such a historical game. The history really means something.

Beside the history here are some other things I liked about Tiger Stadium.
1.) The fans were closer to the action
2.) The upper deck overhang in the outfield
3.) The lights over the roof
4.) I played there
5.) No gimmicks like ferris wheels or merri-go-rounds
6.) Saying the words "at the corner of Michigan & Trumble"

[OldEnglishD]

JUST the history? It takes a long time to build up JUST the history. The history is a huge part of it for me. Baseball is such a historical game. The history really means something.

Beside the history here are some other things I liked about Tiger Stadium.
1.) The fans were closer to the action
2.) The upper deck overhang in the outfield
3.) The lights over the roof
4.) I played there
5.) No gimmicks like ferris wheels or merri-go-rounds
6.) Saying the words "at the corner of Michigan & Trumble"

LOL, I really agree with #6. Matter of fact, I still get to say it time to time - as I now park at Nemos & take their shuttle over when I go to games. (So when giving directions I get to say "Just go to The Corner, and about 2 blocks up Michigan is a bar called Nemos").

As for #5. Although I don't like them either, I think they are in good taste. Alot of Kids are so "A.D.D." nowadays & just aren't into baseball like we were.

[JamieMc]

Haha, my kids don't even know about the playground or "The Little K" at Kauffman. What they don't know wont hurt them. Plus I don't want to spend half my game at some playground.

[OldEnglishD]

Haha, my kids don't even know about the playground or "The Little K" at Kauffman. What they don't know wont hurt them. Plus I don't want to spend half my game at some playground.

lol, Mine neither - I was just commenting on some kids. I see 'em playing on it - so it must have value ;)

[racosun]

I've taken my kids to CoPa many times, and they have yet to ride that ferris wheel. They know it's there, and they probably want to try it, but I tell them I can't miss an inning of game action. My oldest son doesn't want to ride it, but the younger ones do. There's always such a long line for that thing.

[skeletor]

I've taken my kids to CoPa many times, and they have yet to ride that ferris wheel. They know it's there, and they probably want to try it, but I tell them I can't miss an inning of game action. My oldest son doesn't want to ride it, but the younger ones do. There's always such a long line for that thing.

MAN, I hate the idea that Pizza Mike put that darn ferris wheel and
similar ' fun ' stuff at the park...it's a baseball stadium, not a new version
of the Michigan state fair grounds..if you wanna see baseball..you oughta
just have a decent park..if you wanna go on theme type rides, then go
to places like 6 flags..etc...If I bought the team..one of the first things
I would do.is yank stuff like that outta the park...and maybe tweak it
to be a better experience for Tiger fans...and get some decent players,
as well as do what the Indians have been doing...farm system, farm system,
and farm system..The Indians have a pretty darn good 'young' club..
and are further ahead of us..as the ChiSox...in my opinion..

good thing Donald isn't as rich as Bill Gates, COPA would be history...
and the corner would be back...would that be a good thing ? hard
to say........
:eek:

[racosun]

good thing Donald isn't as rich as Bill Gates, COPA would be history...
and the corner would be back...would that be a good thing ? hard
to say........
:eek:

I'm sure he would throw a ton of money into renovating Tiger Stadium, and I'd be all for that. He'd probably also tear down all of our minor-league parks and replace them with exact replicas of Tiger Stadium. :laugh :gt

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'm sure he would throw a ton of money into renovating Tiger Stadium, and I'd be all for that. He'd probably also tear down all of our minor-league parks and replace them with exact replicas of Tiger Stadium. :laugh :gt
Actually, he'd probably tear down anything built during the 20th century. Dang new fangled whipper snappers and their need to live in the present.

[sschirmer]

When this thread was started, you had to know that we were going to get the same old rhetoric from Donald. That being said, OED hit the nail on the head. If the Tigers start winning, and tradition is built there, it can share the legacy, but give it another 80 years or so.

Donald, you seem reasonably intelligent. Here is something to keep in mind:
HEAR has to do with the ear, the ability to pick up sounds.
HERE is the place one is at present, or the opposite of "there".

[George & Al]

I certainly wouldn't call Comerica Park a "dump", not by any means. It's shiny and clean and new. Of course, tradition is something that only comes with time. What keeps me from being endeared to the new place and longing for the old one is kind of an intangible thing.. It's the "Feel". Tiger Stadium had a great feel. Being enclosed provided not only an easy back drop for watching the flight of the ball (fly balls in Comerica seem to disappear into the skyline, and I came to watch the ball, not the buildings), but also created a wonderful audio experience. No stadium SOUNDED like Tiger Stadium. The crack of the bat resonated in a way that could be heard from the outfield seats. Another factor was the smell. Tiger Stadium had a great smell. Part Nachos, part beer, part cigar smoke. It was intoxicating.

What bugs me about Comerica Park isn't that it's new. To me, the problem is that there was a wonderful opportunity to build a stadium that captured the "feel" of Tiger Stadium, but had all the modern ammenities, and was shiny, clean, and new. Knowing the fans love for the old ballpark, you'd think that ownership and management would have done everything possible to recreate that in the new stadium. What did they give us? The flag pole on the field. That's it. No double decked bleachers. No roof line. No right field porch.

Istead, we got what I like to refer to as "the new cookie-cutters". Although a vast improvement from the cookie cutter parks of the 60s and 70s, there is still a bland pattern being followed. Open center field to skyline, Obscenely large scoreboard in left field... Am I describing Comerica, or the new parks in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, or Cincinatti? Even the great new park in Cleveland has these similar elements. Why didn't the Tigers organization try to preserve the look and feel of Detroit baseball in our new stadium? It could have been great, and unique.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I certainly wouldn't call Comerica Park a "dump", not by any means. It's shiny and clean and new. Of course, tradition is something that only comes with time. What keeps me from being endeared to the new place and longing for the old one is kind of an intangible thing.. It's the "Feel". Tiger Stadium had a great feel. Being enclosed provided not only an easy back drop for watching the flight of the ball (fly balls in Comerica seem to disappear into the skyline, and I came to watch the ball, not the buildings), but also created a wonderful audio experience. No stadium SOUNDED like Tiger Stadium. The crack of the bat resonated in a way that could be heard from the outfield seats. Another factor was the smell. Tiger Stadium had a great smell. Part Nachos, part beer, part cigar smoke. It was intoxicating.

What bugs me about Comerica Park isn't that it's new. To me, the problem is that there was a wonderful opportunity to build a stadium that captured the "feel" of Tiger Stadium, but had all the modern ammenities, and was shiny, clean, and new. Knowing the fans love for the old ballpark, you'd think that ownership and management would have done everything possible to recreate that in the new stadium. What did they give us? The flag pole on the field. That's it. No double decked bleachers. No roof line. No right field porch.

Istead, we got what I like to refer to as "the new cookie-cutters". Although a vast improvement from the cookie cutter parks of the 60s and 70s, there is still a bland pattern being followed. Open center field to skyline, Obscenely large scoreboard in left field... Am I describing Comerica, or the new parks in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, or Cincinatti? Even the great new park in Cleveland has these similar elements. Why didn't the Tigers organization try to preserve the look and feel of Detroit baseball in our new stadium? It could have been great, and unique.
Excellent first post, George & Al. Welcome to Baseball Fever.

[efin98]

Why didn't the Tigers organization try to preserve the look and feel of Detroit baseball in our new stadium? It could have been great, and unique.

It wouldn't have been either great or unique- it would have been trying to copy something that the park never could be. It would never capture the past no matter how hard designers tried- it is simply not the old park and never will be.

Why should the designers try to do something they know they can never achieve? It would be a waste of time, money, and energy. It's better for everybody to just create something new- and that's what it was, new. The new stadiums are copying what Comerica created. It's a first of it's kind. It's a modern ballpark built to incorporate the changes in fans. It's not trying it copy the past, it's in fact creating it's own history.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

It wouldn't have been either great or unique- it would have been trying to copy something that the park never could be. It would never capture the past no matter how hard designers tried- it is simply not the old park and never will be.

Why should the designers try to do something they know they can never achieve? It would be a waste of time, money, and energy. It's better for everybody to just create something new- and that's what it was, new. The new stadiums are copying what Comerica created. It's a first of it's kind. It's a modern ballpark built to incorporate the changes in fans. It's not trying it copy the past, it's in fact creating it's own history.

All they built was a dumpy stadium that alot of people cant stand.

[Captain Cold Nose]

All they built was a dumpy stadium that alot of people cant stand.
And a lot love who actually have been there and have enough rational basis to make a judgement about it. Everybody, please, this is not going to descend into a Donald vs. the World about Tiger Stadium/Comerica thread. We all have our opinions. They're not going to change. This needless badgering on both sides will stop.

[George & Al]

I respectfully disagree. Even the Texas Rangers put a significant tribute to Tiger Stadium in their new ballpark. Detroit could have duplicated the beloved elements of the old place and still had a "new" park.

"Look and Feel" are a huge part of brand identity. The Tigers changed the wrong parts of their brand.. The package changed, but the contents remained the same.

[Victory Faust]

Why was Tiger Stadium better than Comercial Park? Let me count the ways:

First and foremost, it's the view, stupid. The seats at the old park were SO much closer to the action. You could literally hear the players' spikes crunching when they walked on the warning track.

The closest upper-deck seat at Comercial Park is still further away than the LAST row of upper-deck seats at Tiger Stadium.

Some people argue, "well, maybe the seats are further back, but there's a tradeoff because there are no seats behind poles in the new park."

Well, let's look at that issue for a sec:

When the Tigers brass was lobbying for a new stadium, they claimed Tiger Stadium had 10,000 seats situated behind poles. That number was greatly exaggerated, because the Tigers counted in that number the seats where even a tiny slice of foul ground was obscured by a pole.

The Tigers had their obvious reasons for lying about that, but let's play along. Let's assume there actually were 10,000 seats where the views were restricted by poles.

Going by the Tigers' own trumped-up numbers, that means there were about 42,000 unobstructed seats in Tiger Stadium, which seated about 52,000 at the end of the stadium's run (and as many as 56,000 during its heyday).

There are about 39,000 total seats in Comercial Park -- and, in the upper deck, you literally need binoculars to see the action.

So, in Comercial Park, there are fewer unobstructed seats than in Tiger Stadium, and most of them are set WAY further back from the action.

That's just one reason the old park was better. Another reason: when someone hit a long home run in Tiger Stadium, you knew it was a long home run, because it either hit the roof or went over it.

At Comercial Park, long homers get swallowed up in the vastness of the stands. You can't really tell the difference between a 380-footer and a 500-foot blast.

Also: Comercial Park is just too doggone gimmicky -- the antithesis of no-nonsense Tiger Stadium. The new park features Tiger statues, the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round -- all of which way over the top aesthetically.

I'm kind of funny: I go to a baseball game to ... watch baseball. Imagine that. I don't need to look at a bunch of fake Tigers, or ride a Ferris wheel when I go to the game.

Tiger Stadium had some of the best seats in the majors. Anyone who ever had an upper box seat down one of the baselines knows exactly what I'm talking about.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Why was Tiger Stadium better than Comercial Park? Let me count the ways:

First and foremost, it's the view, stupid. The seats at the old park were SO much closer to the action. You could literally hear the players' spikes crunching when they walked on the warning track.

The closest upper-deck seat at Comercial Park is still further away than the LAST row of upper-deck seats at Tiger Stadium.

Some people argue, "well, maybe the seats are further back, but there's a tradeoff because there are no seats behind poles in the new park."

Well, let's look at that issue for a sec:

When the Tigers brass was lobbying for a new stadium, they claimed Tiger Stadium had 10,000 seats situated behind poles. That number was greatly exaggerated, because the Tigers counted in that number the seats where even a tiny slice of foul ground was obscured by a pole.

The Tigers had their obvious reasons for lying about that, but let's play along. Let's assume there actually were 10,000 seats where the views were restricted by poles.

Going by the Tigers' own trumped-up numbers, that means there were about 42,000 unobstructed seats in Tiger Stadium, which seated about 52,000 at the end of the stadium's run (and as many as 56,000 during its heyday).

There are about 39,000 total seats in Comercial Park -- and, in the upper deck, you literally need binoculars to see the action.

So, in Comercial Park, there are fewer unobstructed seats than in Tiger Stadium, and most of them are set WAY further back from the action.

That's just one reason the old park was better. Another reason: when someone hit a long home run in Tiger Stadium, you knew it was a long home run, because it either hit the roof or went over it.

At Comercial Park, long homers get swallowed up in the vastness of the stands. You can't really tell the difference between a 380-footer and a 500-foot blast.

Also: Comercial Park is just too doggone gimmicky -- the antithesis of no-nonsense Tiger Stadium. The new park features Tiger statues, the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round -- all of which way over the top aesthetically.

I'm kind of funny: I go to a baseball game to ... watch baseball. Imagine that. I don't need to look at a bunch of fake Tigers, or ride a Ferris wheel when I go to the game.

Tiger Stadium had some of the best seats in the majors. Anyone who ever had an upper box seat down one of the baselines knows exactly what I'm talking about.Thanks for the great post. TIGER STADIUM FOREVER:clapping

[efin98]

I respectfully disagree. Even the Texas Rangers put a significant tribute to Tiger Stadium in their new ballpark. Detroit could have duplicated the beloved elements of the old place and still had a "new" park.

There could have been an attempt to copy the old elements of the ballpark, but I don't believe that the new park would have been able to capture what the old ballpark had at all. I don't think the designers should even try. They acknowleged that you simply can't copy the past, especially when the past was as beloved as Tiger Stadium. Nothing would suffice, it would look out of touch...I believe it was the right decision to go in the direction that the new park went, creating a whole new design that others have seen fit to copy- much like Tiger Stadium did.

"Look and Feel" are a huge part of brand identity. The Tigers changed the wrong parts of their brand.. The package changed, but the contents remained the same.

The package was bad before the team moved, so even if they were still in the old facility the team would stink...but that doesn't mean a move wouldn't have helped the team. Just look at Cleveland and Houston, Baltimore and Texas. All of them moved out of old stadiums just as historic as Tiger Stadium(although a few rungs down on the historic ladder). Each one of those teams vastly improved in their new homes, with Houston and Cleveland making all the way to the World Series. Detroit could have followed down that same path, but the team didn't. If the team was good rather than mediocre to horrible we wouldn't even be having this discussion, we would be applauding the team for making the move.

[George & Al]

I will conceed that the moves of those teams you mentioned might have been a bit of a boost to the team's energy/morale/etc, but let's not loose sight of the fact that those orginazations had the makings of good teams assembled to begin with. They weren't all a bunch of losers who moved to a new stadium and suddenly became good. Cleveland spent the early part of the 90s developing young talent and convincing them to sign long term contracts.

[Paulmcall]

Let's face it, the Tigers blew it with Comerica. The seating is too far away in the upper deck. The lower deck is all on one level and folks have to have other people's heads acting as posts. Where is the sense in that?
People were used to having a hitter's park and they changed that with the new stadium. Who decided on that?
I want to see scoring and not a lot of long flyouts.
They just ruined tradition in so many ways.
Maybe they figured if you were further away from the action, you might not notice how bad the team stunk.:grouchy

[2Chance]

Before making one quick comment, I need to say that I agree with Donald. Victory Faust, that was a great post. But I had to say something, because agreeing with Donald is kind of a rarity around here. (And "around here" includes the area surrounding my PC.)
"Look and Feel" are a huge part of brand identity. The Tigers changed the wrong parts of their brand.. The package changed, but the contents remained the same.
originally posted by Paulmcall
People were used to having a hitter's park and they changed that with the new stadium....
Maybe they figured if you were further away from the action, you might not notice how bad the team stunk.
More specifically, we were used to having a sluggers' park. Comerica has been standing for a few years now and it's been hard for management to figure out that we need to put an old-style National League-type team in there. The park was built for a team strong in defense, speed and good pitching.

Needless to say, we ain't there yet.

[George & Al]

Tiger Stadium had some of the best seats in the majors. Anyone who ever had an upper box seat down one of the baselines knows exactly what I'm talking about.

Absolutely. And the first 4 or 5 rows of the upper deck behind the plate were the BEST, bar none.

[moldyoldie]

....the first 4 or 5 rows of the upper deck behind the plate were the BEST, bar none.
I always opted for upper deck box seats along the third base line. Not only no screen, but a great view of those rightfield upper deck blasts from left-handed sluggers. I also felt like I could just reach over and "touch" the action. Having been in the broadcasters booth during the stadium's "swan song tour", I envied Ernie and company...the best view in baseball! (Foul ball. "Look OUT!" CRASH! :laugh )

I once had seats in the very last row in the upper deck behind home plate. Great panoramic view of the entire field, the screen wasn't as intrusive, and it was just like watching the game on TV.

[RobertHConner]

as someone who has never been to old or new in Detroit, I must say that Tiger Stadium had a classic look. It had personality & character. The new one lacks both. Most cities are improving (San Francisco/Atlanta/Pittsburgh/Baltimore/Cleveland, et al). Those new parks actually upgraded the personality & quirky character. Commerce-ika went backwards. It might be more comfortable in person. But it's as uninteresting as that generic yawn the White Sox fluke in when you watch the games on television.

[Tigerfan1974]

In most posts on this forum, most people think that Tiger Stadium is better than Comerica Park. Is it really better? Why is it better? Is it just the history of the park? How can Comerica earn as much respect as TS? I would like to hear anyone's comments. TYVM! :D

Part of what makes Tiger Stadium better/greater is that 'The Corner" is where ball was played for 100 years.
Ty Cobb and Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg played there.
So did Al Kaline and Mark, The Bird, Fidrych and Trammell/Whitaker.

I went on a tour once and got to go in the club house and sit in the dugout.
It is not the same benches from 30, 50 or 90 years ago.
But it is the same view. The same perspective. To be able to see the field as the stars did was facsinating. To sit where Ernie call the game and be so close, so intimate.
It gives one the chills just remembering.

Maybe in another hundred years people will talk about Comerica Park as we who love TS talk about it. By then it will have its own history.

But for today, right now, Tiger staium wins. No Contest!!