Navin Field or Bennett Park ... Tiger Stadium Was the Place to Be
The Detroit Free Press reported today that Tiger Stadium's remaining structure may soon be gone if nearly $300,000 isn't in the hands of the City of Detroit on Tuesday. I do not understand all of the different deadlines that have occurred as the Stadium on the Corner of Michigan and Trumbull has wasted away and become a shadow of its former self; why does there seem to be a new deadline every few months? I wonder why the stadium sat for nearly 10 years before it was finally (partially) razed?
I have written often about the grand old stadium, though I've never written about the final game, on September 27, 1999. The process of getting the tickets was interesting — this was, of course, before Ticketmaster had online sales. In Mt. Pleasant, the best place to purchase tickets was Wherehouse Records in the Stadium Mall.
I arrived early on a Saturday morning in late February to purchase tickets; my goal was six tickets, even though I didn't know who would be interested in attending. Many people were in line to purchase tickets to the "last opening day," but I knew tickets for the finale would go quickly as well. Sixth in line, I thought I would at least have a chance for a couple of tickets.
The sale started and the first four people moved quickly; a gentleman in his sixties was next and he debated for a couple minutes if he wanted to buy bleacher tickets.
"Come on, mister, some of us just want to be in the Stadium."
"Yeah, just take whatever."
He said, "I don't know if I want to sit in the bleachers."
"I do," I said. "I'll take his tickets."
"Okay, okay, I'll go with them."
Finally, I was able to place my order. I did get tickets. I was able to purchase seven or eight. And I was the last person who was able to purchase any at Wherehouse Records that day; maybe I bought the last tickets to Tiger Stadium. The seats were in left field, not quite bleacher seats, but not the best. But we were in the park. They were in the Coca Cola Family Section. Tomorrow, I'll tell you why they just might have been "the best seats in the house."
I have written often about the grand old stadium, though I've never written about the final game, on September 27, 1999. The process of getting the tickets was interesting — this was, of course, before Ticketmaster had online sales. In Mt. Pleasant, the best place to purchase tickets was Wherehouse Records in the Stadium Mall.
I arrived early on a Saturday morning in late February to purchase tickets; my goal was six tickets, even though I didn't know who would be interested in attending. Many people were in line to purchase tickets to the "last opening day," but I knew tickets for the finale would go quickly as well. Sixth in line, I thought I would at least have a chance for a couple of tickets.
The sale started and the first four people moved quickly; a gentleman in his sixties was next and he debated for a couple minutes if he wanted to buy bleacher tickets.
"Come on, mister, some of us just want to be in the Stadium."
"Yeah, just take whatever."
He said, "I don't know if I want to sit in the bleachers."
"I do," I said. "I'll take his tickets."
"Okay, okay, I'll go with them."
Finally, I was able to place my order. I did get tickets. I was able to purchase seven or eight. And I was the last person who was able to purchase any at Wherehouse Records that day; maybe I bought the last tickets to Tiger Stadium. The seats were in left field, not quite bleacher seats, but not the best. But we were in the park. They were in the Coca Cola Family Section. Tomorrow, I'll tell you why they just might have been "the best seats in the house."
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