For 104 seasons, Michigan and Trumbull was the location for professional baseball in Detroit. First serving as the address for Bennett Park, then Navin Field, then Briggs Stadium, the famous street corner finally became the home of Tiger Stadium in 1961. Though the last game at the stadium was played in 1999, generations of Detroit baseball fans still cherish this local icon.

Using a collection of historic photographs, many never before published, author Irwin Cohen takes readers on a visual tour of Tiger Stadium throughout the years. From baseball legends like (Ty) Cobb, (Charlie) Gehringer, (Hank) Greenberg, and (Alan) Trammell, to images of the stadium itself, Tigers fans can relive some of the best moments of Detroit baseball. Among the photographs are:

• A team shot of the 1905 Tigers

• Legendary players, including Frank Navin signing Ty Cobb to a $15,000 contract for 1913

• Images from the Tigers' 1984 World Series win

• The last game played at Tiger Stadium, on Sept. 27, 1999

• and much more.

Associated Press: "In today's world of flashy e-mail, celebrity book deals and millennium madness, these humble photo essays on the late 19th and early- to mid-20th century have struck a chord with Americans looking for their past."

Book Notes: "Designed like experts, each title features historically significant photographs chosen to educate as well as captivate readers."

Courier: "Once again Arcadia Publishing has succeeded in removing local history from the dusty bookshelves and made it a viable form of both education and entertainment."

New York Times: "For readers with a more localized interest in history than can generally be satisfied in the classroom or the best-seller bin, the Images of America books are an invaluable resource."

"Introduction"

Michigan and Trumbull.

That was the address for pro baseball in Detroit for 104 seasons. From 1896 when Bennett Park opened, until the last game at Tiger Stadium in 1999, Michigan and Trumbull was the most famous street corner in Michigan.

Generations came, watched, bonded, and remembered the great players and the great moments. For half a century I experienced the old ballpark. From 1949 through 1999, I saw the blazing fastballs of Bob Feller, Herb Score, and Nolan Ryan. I witnessed the guile of Whitey Ford, Eddie Lopat, and Satchel Paige baffle the home team. I watched Joe DiMaggio's last at-bat in Detroit in a night game in August of '51 (DiMag popped up to shortstop Neil Berry). I arrived early to catch Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Ted Williams take batting practice and rattle those wooden green seats with their shots.

I often stared at the leftfield stands and recalled coming to my first game. My favorite Tiger, outfielder Hoot Evers, doubled off the fence at the 365-mark in front of my grandstand seat, making my day. It still replays in my mind several times a week.

While Detroit was celebrating its 250th birthday, Evers was having the worst season of his career. My hero batted .224 in 1951, 99 points under his 1950 average of .323. After Evers was traded to Boston in 1952, my mother gave me permission to take the bus to Briggs Stadium when the Red Sox and Evers came to town the following year. I hung around the visitors' clubhouse door after the game, hoping to catch a glimpse of my favorite player. Evers was one of the first players to leave and stood near the door, waiting for a teammate.

I summoned all the courage I had, walked over, and asked for an autograph.

"Beat it kid," my favorite player muttered.

"But you're my favorite player," I heard myself say.

"That's what they all say," Evers said. "Now beat it."

I beat it to the other side of the wall and continued to watch my favorite player until he left with some teammates.

Fast forward to February 1973...

Copyright © 2003 Irwin J. Cohen

CLICK To Order

Tiger Stadium

Author: Irwin J. Cohen.
Pages: 128.
Published: June 2003.
Publisher: Arcadia.

ISBN: 0-7385-2313-5.

Baseball Book Shelf: Tiger Stadium