Let me start by saying, I love Tiger Stadium. Like all Detroit baseball fans older than 15, I have many memories of games at the Corner.
I remember when Sweet Lou Whittaker and Kirk Gibson each cleared the right field roof. Rupert Jones did it as well. I also remember the 1984 World Series like it was yesterday.
That being said, I think it is time we let the Old Girl go in peace.
To see the stadium half destroyed is sad, but it is not worth the $3.8 mil Michigan Sen. Calr Levin (D) is talking about spending from Stimulus Package money to try to save a remnant of the Old Ballpark.
It's time to let it go. That money could be used so much more effectivley. How many roads could be fixed or homeless shelters could be funded with that cash? Better yet...don't spend the money and give it back to the taxpayers.
(I won't get into the mess that is the Stimulus Package here.)
What does anyone hope to gain from saving a portion of Tiger Stadium? There is talk of leaving up some of the stands and a diamond. Why? No one will use it and when the Stimulus Money runs out, Detroit won't have the money for its upkeep.
Unfortunately, some great old structures must come down and Tiger Stadium is no different. No matter how much we try, we can't hold on to the past by saving an old stadium.
We have memories from the park and that is good enough. Keeping a portion of the stands that a handful of people a year will visit won't improve those memories one bit.
I love Tiger Stadium and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I was sad when I heard it was going to be replaced. I was sad when it finally closed and the Tigers moved to Comerica Park. I was devastated when I saw pictures of how Tiger Stadium was left half demolished.
Tear it down and use the land for something that will benefit the city. That would be the best way to honor the Old Girl.
Until next time, enjoy Michigan and remember Tiger Stadium.
