Tiger Stadium Demolition

**POLO GROUNDS 1957** · 06-29-2008, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by curb my enthusiasm

Will you fix it up? Make it look real nice so that nobody can play baseball in it?

They could play there again after some maintance and fix up. as stated there is nothing wrong with the structure its not falling down.i do hope that this new plan does happen. i would rather see the dugout to dugout part save then nothing.

I would go down there to see baseball and also to listen to some of my old games that were played at Tiger Stadium on audio tape.

**StanTheMan** · 06-29-2008, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by POLO GROUNDS 1957

They could play there again after some maintance and fix up.

Who? The freaking Tigers? Ridiculous. Knock Tiger Stadium down now. The money it would take to make the stadium passable far exceeds the potential revenue it could earn. 9 years empty proves this LOUD AND CLEAR to anyone who has their ears open.

I'm interested in the demolition photos, so I will be posting some if I come across them. Perhaps I'll drive up there. I'm taking a vacation week soon, and we alerady took the family trip to Florida.

**POLO GROUNDS 1957** · 06-29-2008, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by StanTheMan

Who? The freaking Tigers? Ridiculous. Knock Tiger Stadium down now. The money it would take to make the stadium passable far exceeds the potential revenue it could earn. 9 years empty proves this LOUD AND CLEAR to anyone who has their ears open.

I'm interested in the demolition photos, so I will be posting some if I come across them. Perhaps I'll drive up there. I'm taking a vacation week soon, and we alerady took the family trip to Florida.

They wanted to put a minor league in Tiger Stadium but the city of Detroit has stonewalled any atempt to use the stadium they just want it gone.they even said that they would play there games when the Tigers were out of town.the biggest mistake was selling the stadium to the city in 1977 for 1 DOLLAR.

**StanTheMan** · 06-29-2008, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by POLO GROUNDS 1957

They wanted to put a minor league in Tiger Stadium but the city of Detroit has stonewalled any atempt to use the stadium they just want it gone.they even said that they would play there games when the Tigers were out of town.the biggest mistake was selling the stadium to the city in 1977 for 1 DOLLAR.

Sorry... we need more than "they" said this and "they" said that. Which team wanted to relocate to that part of Detriot? An affiliate of whom? A new team perhaps? Links to news stories showing TRUE interest in a team in playing at the stadium, and subsequent published statements or actions from the city to unequivocally deny this is what we are looking for.

I ignore anything else, and without as such can only assume no team TRULY wanted to play at TG in the last 9 years, and therefore the city did not have to do much, if anything to "stop" anyone from playing there.... other than the rats, bugs, stray dogs, cats, and perhaps bats that now are the only residents at Tiger Stadium.

**Power Wally** · 06-29-2008, 05:39 PM

It is interesting to note that the nearby Silverdome was used for drive in movies for a while after the Lions left (Wikipedia). Horror and disaster flicks would be right at home in obsolete sports fields awaiting demolition.

**POLO GROUNDS 1957** · 06-29-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by StanTheMan

Sorry... we need more than "they" said this and "they" said that. Which team wanted to relocate to that part of Detriot? An affiliate of whom? A new team perhaps? Links to news stories showing TRUE interest in a team in playing at the stadium, and subsequent published statements or actions from the city to unequivocally deny this is what we are looking for.

I ignore anything else, and without as such can only assume no team TRULY wanted to play at TG in the last 9 years, and therefore the city did not have to do much, if anything to "stop" anyone from playing there.... other than the rats, bugs, stray dogs, cats, and perhaps bats that now are the only residents at Tiger Stadium.

They wanted to put a frontier league team in Tiger Stadium around 6 years ago and were stonewalled by the city of Detroit.

**placount** · 06-29-2008, 10:10 PM

im sure it had something to do with the idea that no frontier league team could make enough money to make it worth the city of detroit's input to running the stadium. there would be security costs, utility costs, traffic costs, its the infrastructure costs that the frontier league couldnt cover.

**POLO GROUNDS 1957** · 06-29-2008, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by placount

im sure it had something to do with the idea that no frontier league team could make enough money to make it worth the city of detroit's input to running the stadium. there would be security costs, utility costs, traffic costs, its the infrastructure costs that the frontier league couldnt cover.

The city of Detroit has stonewalled any atempt to use Tiger Stadium, they just want it gone.

**placount** · 06-29-2008, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by POLO GROUNDS 1957

The city of Detroit has stonewalled any atempt to use Tiger Stadium, they just want it gone.

they own it, it is their call.

**POLO GROUNDS 1957** · 06-29-2008, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by placount

they own it, it is their call.

You are right it was a big mistake selling Tiger Stadium to the city for $1 dollar back in 1977.

**StanTheMan** · 06-30-2008, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by POLO GROUNDS 1957

They wanted to put a frontier league team in Tiger Stadium around 6 years ago and were stonewalled by the city of Detroit.

I won't believe it until you or another can provide more than "they said" or "they wanted to."

I'm not saying the above is not possible, but this thread has turned into a giant opinion-fest, with hyperbole flying around everywhere, and sticking to the walls.

**metfan13** · 06-30-2008, 04:40 AM

Guess it's time to lock this one too.

**Yankees12** · 06-30-2008, 09:15 AM

I think somebody mentioned the possibility of Tiger Stadium becoming a soccer-specific stadium in the thread that was locked. I'd personally like to see that avenue explored. They could line up the edge soccer field with the old 3B foul line (or around there), and then tear out the old CF/RF grandstand and build a new, small single deck on the opposite touchline. This way, three sides of the field will have the double-deck grandstands that are currently in existance (perhaps seats would not even be needed, if they were to go the route of terracing, which would be amazing), and the majority of the existing grandstand would be preserved. Also, Detroit could get in MLS team, since the MLS is really only giving expansion teams to areas with soccer-specific stadiums being built, and said MLS team would have a natural rival in Toronto FC.

I'd like to see if it were possible.

**Seattle1** · 06-30-2008, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Yankees12

I think somebody mentioned the possibility of Tiger Stadium becoming a soccer-specific stadium in the thread that was locked. I'd personally like to see that avenue explored. They could line up the edge soccer field with the old 3B foul line (or around there), and then tear out the old CF/RF grandstand and build a new, small single deck on the opposite touchline. This way, three sides of the field will have the double-deck grandstands that are currently in existance (perhaps seats would not even be needed, if they were to go the route of terracing, which would be amazing), and the majority of the existing grandstand would be preserved. Also, Detroit could get in MLS team, since the MLS is really only giving expansion teams to areas with soccer-specific stadiums being built, and said MLS team would have a natural rival in Toronto FC.

This is an excellent idea. Very well articulated!

**locke40** · 06-30-2008, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Seattle1

This is an excellent idea. Very well articulated!

Seconded. I think they should name them the Detroit (Soccer) Tigers, as well. I would definitely go and see a game there. This could be the start of soccer being relevant in the US. Let's try and get it done!

**tmorss9** · 06-30-2008, 10:59 AM

The Columbus Crew would also be a natural rival for them. I really can't stand watching soccer, but I'd go to Tiger Stadium to watch a game.

**metfan13** · 06-30-2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by locke40

Seconded. I think they should name them the Detroit (Soccer) Tigers, as well. I would definitely go and see a game there. This could be the start of soccer being relevant in the US. Let's try and get it done!

Why would this be a catalyst vs. everything else that's been tried before, going back to the 70's?

**MontanaJim74** · 06-30-2008, 11:33 AM

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...DATE/806300436

**locke40** · 06-30-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by metfan13

Why would this be a catalyst vs. everything else that's been tried before, going back to the 70's?

Because Tiger Stadium would be a great venue to watch a sport event. People would travel to Tiger Stadium just to see the park, and would be interested in the game by default.

**StanTheMan** · 06-30-2008, 12:42 PM

Soccer is already relevant in the US. I've been to USA-Mexico matches in which EVERYONE stands for the entire game. You have not truly sung the National Anthem at a sporting event until you do so at a International Soccer mathc. Heck, MLS is averaging MORE fans per game than the NBA did after 10 years. 14,000+ per game is VERY solid, and relevant.

Soccer channels on Satellite television are growing, and viewership is up. Euro 2008 viewership was good.

MLS teams are building NEW stadiums, and earning all the revenue from these stadiums.

There are more cities who want teams than the league can award. St. Louis is a good example. A stadium deal is in place, financing is in place, the land is purchased.... but the league went with Philly and Seattle first.

The USA has qualified for 5 consecutive World Cups. More than England, France, and many other top countries. (Granted, our qualification system is different than theirs.)

Sure, soccer will never surpass the big sports in the USA. NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NBA, College football, college hoops.... but us soccer fans don't expect that, we just want to grow the sport.

Using Tiger Stadium, even a remodeled one, is a bad idea. MLS teams are building NEW stadia, with soccer in mind... i.e. sightlines, room for expansion, proper neighborhoods, etc.

**StanTheMan** · 06-30-2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by locke40

Because Tiger Stadium would be a great venue to watch a sport event. People would travel to Tiger Stadium just to see the park, and would be interested in the game by default.

Could not disagree more. I've been to about a dozen MLS games, in several different cities, including MLS Cup 8 in LA. I've been to the World Cup. I've been to more than 10 USA international matches.

With the quallity of the stadiums being built in MLS at this time (Colorado, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Seattle, Philly, even old Columbus) going to Detroit just to see a tired old baseball stadium would NOT be important to soccer fans.

I've been going to USA international games since 1984, when they played in college stadiums holding less than 6,000 people. I've also been to Soldier Field to see the modern USA team play against Poland in front of more than 50,000 fans.

None of us will ever go to any soccer game to see an old ballpark, adn your assertion that soccer fans, or even NON soccer fans, would be interested in the game solely for the reason of the venue of Tiger stadium is insulting, and suggests you do not know much about the world's game.

**aqib** · 06-30-2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by StanTheMan

Could not disagree more. I've been to about a dozen MLS games, in several different cities, including MLS Cup 8 in LA. I've been to the World Cup. I've been to more than 10 USA international matches.

With the quallity of the stadiums being built in MLS at this time (Colorado, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Seattle, Philly, even old Columbus) going to Detroit just to see a tired old baseball stadium would NOT be important to soccer fans.

I've been going to USA international games since 1984, when they played in college stadiums holding less than 6,000 people. I've also been to Soldier Field to see the modern USA team play against Poland in front of more than 50,000 fans.

None of us will ever go to any soccer game to see an old ballpark, adn your assertion that soccer fans, or even NON soccer fans, would be interested in the game solely for the reason of the venue of Tiger stadium is insulting, and suggests you do not know much about the world's game.

I'll admit I know nothing about the world's game. Quite frankly I don't understand why it is the worlds game. But if I lived in Detroit I would probably go see them if they were in that park. But thats me.

**MontanaJim74** · 06-30-2008, 01:14 PM

Is this a thread about the demolition of the stadium or not? the time for debating what to do with it is over. The stadium is going down (see my previous post). Can someone, maybe pologrounds, post daily pics of the demolition? How long do we think it will take to tear it down (i know that the homeplate area cannot be demolished until after Aug 1, if then).

**locke40** · 06-30-2008, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by StanTheMan

Could not disagree more. I've been to about a dozen MLS games, in several different cities, including MLS Cup 8 in LA. I've been to the World Cup. I've been to more than 10 USA international matches.

With the quallity of the stadiums being built in MLS at this time (Colorado, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Seattle, Philly, even old Columbus) going to Detroit just to see a tired old baseball stadium would NOT be important to soccer fans.

I've been going to USA international games since 1984, when they played in college stadiums holding less than 6,000 people. I've also been to Soldier Field to see the modern USA team play against Poland in front of more than 50,000 fans.

None of us will ever go to any soccer game to see an old ballpark, adn your assertion that soccer fans, or even NON soccer fans, would be interested in the game solely for the reason of the venue of Tiger stadium is insulting, and suggests you do not know much about the world's game.

I will also admit I know very little about the world's game. However, I would absolutely travel from New York to Detroit to watch the world's game in Tiger Stadium, if it ever happened (which obviously will not). And I would imagine, afterward I would be more interested in the game; but again, I am only speaking for myself.

**StanTheMan** · 06-30-2008, 01:54 PM

This looks to be a relatively recent one.

Tiger Demolition.jpg

I've read (in the Indianapolis Examiner of all places) that some permits are still required before demo can begin, but that these permits are being worked on now.