Bennett Park - Detroit, MI

[alpineinc]

The precursor to Navin Field, and the home of the Detroit Tigers from 1896-1911. The Tigers were part of the Western League from 1896-1899, the minor league AL in 1900, and then the major league AL from 1901 onward. Named after the popular catcher Charlie Bennett, who played for the NL's Detroit Wolverines in every year of their existence (1881-1888, including a World's Championship in 1887), became the most popular Detroit ballplayer of the 19th century, and had had his legs amputated in 1894 after a train accident. Bennett "caught" every first pitch of every Detroit home opener from 1896-1926, and died in 1927.

Some interesting facts is that the field was oddly configured, with home plate in the SE corner of the site, so left handed batters had the sun in their eyes most afternoons (didn't hurt Ty Cobb too much though). And, maybe one of the first parks to take advantage of the buildings around it for choice seating, with "wildcat" bleachers popping up around it starting in the 1880's, as a kind of proto-Wrigleyville. Also, it saw three World's Series, 1907, 1908, and 1909, including the Cubs' last Championship to date, in 1908.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennett_Park_(Detroit)

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/stadium/st_bp.shtml

1907 WS
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1909 WS
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Raising the AL pennant flag, 1910



Last Opening Day (in the snow), 1911
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And, Doctor Gogol's amazing Flickr set on the park -> http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctor_...th/4223580140/

[milladrive]

Some absolutely great pics, alpineinc!! A terrific exhibit. Thanks much!

[SultanOfWhat]

The first pic below is one of the most unusual I've seen of stands at a pro baseball park. The caption indicates that it shows Bennett Park in Detroit, 1896. Just look at those stands!



1896 was the first year for Bennett Park, when the Tigers were part of the Western League, a minor league. The left billboard cites a Monroe Avenue address, and there is indeed a Monroe Avenue in Detroit.


Here are 3 more from the Bennett Park days. Not sure that they were all taken there, but here they are.


1908 Ed Killian, Detroit Baseball Club pitcher,




1909 Ed Summers, Detroit Baseball Club pitcher




1910 DONIE BUSH Detroit Tigers

[alpineinc]

Friday, October 2, 1908, Browns in town, Ty Cobb steals third in the first inning as Hobe Ferris tries in vain to corral Syd Smith's errant throw. Tigers prevailed, 7-6, as they remained 1/2 game up on the Cleveland Naps with 4 games to play. The Tigers would split their last 4 games (both wins by Wild Bill Donovan) to secure the pennant by that 1/2 game, but would lose the Series to the Cubs, their last championship to date.

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http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...by-Kuenzel-(2)

[alpineinc]

Great photos from the stands, 1907. Ty Cobb might be around.

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1907-DE...EAAOSwHnFVwiwY

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1907-DE...4AAOSwgQ9Vwi2z

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1907-DETROIT-TIGERS-BENNETT-PARK-baseball-photo-TY-COBB-Original-2-/261993654914?hash=item3d0009ea82:gIIAAOSwyQtVwi41

[alpineinc]

Great bleacher shot

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Tigers 2B/SS Germany Schaefer, 1905 (although he's sitting on third). After a short stint with the Cubs and a couple years in the minors, he stuck with Detroit in 1905 and had some good years there, and was a close friend of Ty Cobb. Went to 2 WS with the Tigers, in 1907 and 1908, but they lost both.

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Harry Tuthill, Tigers trainer (L), and Schaefer check out the crowd, 1910

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Action photo saves Ty Cobb's career - "Ty Cobb, 1909. This picture prevented Cobb's suspension for life from base ball on charges that he intentionally spiked the arm of Home Run Baker of Phila. Athletics. Photo proved that Cobb threw his body to the inside trying to evade Bakers tag at third base. "

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[Chevy114]

Wow great shots of a great park!

[alpineinc]

Per source, Thursday, April 25, 1901, the first game in the history of the Major League Detroit Tigers' franchise.

The Tigers were born as part of the resurrected Western League in 1894, and had played their games at Bennett Park since its opening in 1896. The Western League then changed its name to the minor American League in 1900, and then claimed Major League status for 1901.

Their first opponent? The Milwaukee Brewers, fellow former Western Leaguers, who would move to St Louis as the Browns for 1902, and eventually to Baltimore to become the Orioles in 1954.

Heavy rains wiped out the scheduled opening date of Wednesday April 24. 10,023 fans, the largest crowd ever to see a game in Detroit, were on hand for the festivities, and what a game it was - the Tigers scored TEN runs in the bottom of the 9th to win the game 14-13. It remains the greatest 9th inning comeback for victory in MLB history.

The Tigers would end up with a 74-61-1 mark in the inaugural 1901 AL season, good enough for third place, 8.5 games behind the champion Chicago White Sox. Of course, the established NL had no love for the fledgling league and there would be no World's Series until 1903. The Brewers would finish last in 8th place in their only season in Wisconsin for the franchise.

Great detailed blog post on the game here -> http://seamheads.com/2014/04/25/apri...collapse-ever/

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/rare-1901-DE...cAAOSwezVW1ey7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/rare-1901-DE...oAAOSw~OVW1eVJ