RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new ballpark built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. That stadium was called Bennett Park and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield. At the time, some places in the outfield were only marked off with rope.
In 1911, new Tigers owner Frank Navin ordered a new steel-and-concrete baseball park on the same site that would seat 23,000 to accommodate the growing numbers of fans. Navin Field opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park. While constructed on the same site as Bennett Park, the diamond at Navin Field was rotated 90°, with home plate located in what had been left field at Bennett Park. Cleveland Naps player "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, later banned from baseball for life following the Black Sox Scandal, scored the first run at Navin Field.
Postcard showing Briggs Stadium, circa 1930–1945
Over the years, expansion continued to accommodate more people. In 1935, following Navin's death, new owner Walter Briggs oversaw the expansion of Navin Field to a capacity of 36,000 by extending the upper deck to the foul poles and across right field. By 1938, the city had agreed to move Cherry Street, allowing left field to be double-decked and the now-renamed Briggs Stadium had a capacity of 53,000. In 1961, new owner John Fetzer took control of the stadium and gave it its final and longest-lasting name: Tiger Stadium. A fire gutted the press box on the evening of February 1, 1977. In 1977, the Tigers sold the stadium to the city of Detroit, which then leased it back to the Tigers. As part of this transfer, the green wooden seats were replaced with blue and orange plastic ones and the stadium's interior, which was green, was painted blue to match.
By the early 1990s, both the city and Tigers ownership wanted a new park, but many campaigned to save the old stadium. Plans to modify and maintain Tiger Stadium as the home of the Tigers, known as the Cochrane Plan, were supported by many in the community, but were never seriously considered by the city or the Tigers. Ground was broken for the new Comerica Park on October 29, 1997.
Throughout the 1965 regular season, the White Sox and Tigers battled it out for the top spot in the league. In August 1965, the competition intensified as both teams sought to gain an advantage heading into the final stretch of the season. Key players from both sides were instrumental in driving their respective teams' success.
The Chicago White Sox had a strong lineup led by star players like Nellie Fox, Luis Aparicio, and Eddie Fisher. They showcased a well-balanced offense and solid defense that kept them in contention throughout the season. In August, their pitching staff, including Eddie Fisher, who excelled as a closer, played a crucial role in securing important victories.
On the other hand, the Detroit Tigers, with their talented roster featuring players like Al Kaline, Willie Horton, and Mickey Lolich, were fierce competitors. Their offensive firepower and reliable pitching made them a formidable opponent. In August, the Tigers' pitching rotation, led by the impressive performances of Mickey Lolich, delivered several crucial wins that kept them in the race for the pennant.
As the season approached its final weeks, the White Sox and Tigers were neck-and-neck in the standings, making every game in August essential for their playoff aspirations. The race for the American League pennant continued to be tightly contested and captivating, with fans eagerly following every matchup between these two competitive teams.
Ultimately, the 1965 season came down to the wire, and the performances in August played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Both the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers displayed exceptional talent and determination, but only one team could claim the top spot in the American League. Fans of both teams witnessed an exciting and memorable season that would be remembered for years to come.
On October 24, 1971, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met at Tiger Stadium in...
1971 - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions - NFL Radio Broadcast / On October 24, 1971, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met at Tiger Stadium in a closely contested NFC Central game. Both teams entered with 3-2 records, with the Bears led by quarterback Bobby Douglass and coach Jim Dooley, while the Lions, coached by Joe Schmidt, were guided by quarterback Greg Landry. Detroit, featuring standout players like wide receiver Chuck Hughes and running back Steve Owens, sought a crucial win to gain an edge in the divisional standings. This game, however, would tragically be marked by an unexpected event, casting a somber tone on a competitive season.
The game unfolded with back-and-forth scoring, as Chicago found the end zone first with a 21-yard run by Don Shy and a 54-yard touchdown pass from Douglass to George Farmer in the second quarter. Detroit answered with a 102-yard kickoff return by Ron Jessie and a touchdown reception by Larry Walton, pushing them to a slim lead by halftime. In the final minutes of the game, Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field after running a route. Despite efforts to revive him, Hughes was later pronounced dead due to a heart attack, marking the first time in NFL history a player died during a game.
Chicago won 28-23, improving to 4-2, though the result was overshadowed by Hughes’s passing. Detroit, who fell to 3-3, finished the game in shock and mourning. The incident deeply impacted the Lions, Hughes's family, and the entire NFL community. This game remains a somber chapter in NFL history, remembered not only for the fierce rivalry but for the tragic loss that unfolded on the field.
#ChicagoBears #DetroitLions #ChuckHughes #BobbyDouglass #GregLandry #NFL1971 #TigerStadium
On Tuesday, September 17, 1968, the Detroit Tigers hosted the New York Yankees at Tiger...
New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers - Clincher - Radio Broadcast / On Tuesday, September 17, 1968, the Detroit Tigers hosted the New York Yankees at Tiger Stadium. Stan Bahnsen took the mound for the Yankees, while Joe Sparma was the starting pitcher for the Tigers. At this point in the season, the Tigers were on the brink of clinching the pennant, leading the American League, while the Yankees were struggling, sitting in the middle of the pack. Mickey Mantle, a perennial star for the Yankees, was nearing the end of his illustrious career, and the 1968 season was notable for the "Year of the Pitcher," with pitchers dominating hitters to an extent not seen in decades.
Ernie Harwell with the radio call as Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain wins 30 for...
Ernie Harwell Calls Denny McLain 30th Win / Ernie Harwell with the radio call as Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain wins 30 for the season on September 14, 1968...more info at https://www.retroseasons.com/teams/detroit-tigers/1968/overview/
The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7
Broadcast of 1957 NFL Championship Game / The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7 three weeks earlier on December 8, also at Briggs Stadium, but lost quarterback Bobby Layne for the season with a broken right ankle late in the first half.
The 1941 Baseball All-Star game was held at Briggs Stadium in Detroit where the...
1941 MLB All-Star Game - Radio Broadcast / The 1941 Baseball All-Star game was held at Briggs Stadium in Detroit where the American League sent 22 year old Bob Feller to the mound against Whit Wyatt, who had a 13-4 record for the Dodgers at the break. Two historic moments were taking place during the 1941 season. Ted Williams was batting .405 at the time of the all-star game and would end the season batting .406 . Additionally Joe Dimaggio was in the midst of his 56- game hitting streak. At the time of this game, his streak stood at 48 games.
On September 20, 1934, the New York Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers at...
1934 New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers - Radio Broadcast / On September 20, 1934, the New York Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers at Navin Field in Detroit. With the season nearing its end, both teams had different trajectories. The Yankees, who were out of pennant contention, still had star power with players like Lou Gehrig, while the Tigers were fighting for the American League pennant, led by Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer. Starting on the mound for the Yankees was Johnny Broaca, while Detroit's Fred Marberry took the ball for the Tigers. As Detroit aimed to maintain their lead in the standings, this game carried significant weight for their postseason ambitions.
The game saw an explosive start, with the Yankees jumping ahead early, scoring two runs in the first and adding a six-run third inning, capitalizing on a mix of hits and Tigers errors. Detroit struggled to keep pace despite a late surge, including Goose Goslin’s two-run homer in the seventh inning. Key Yankees hitters like George Selkirk and Red Rolfe kept the pressure on Detroit’s pitching staff, who couldn’t contain New York's offense. While Broaca wasn't flawless on the mound, he managed to limit the damage from a Tigers lineup that had multiple scoring chances throughout the game.
New York emerged victorious with an 11-7 win, thanks to consistent hitting and capitalizing on Detroit’s defensive mistakes. While the Tigers would go on to win the American League pennant, this loss was a stumble in their otherwise successful campaign. The Yankees, meanwhile, ended their season on a high note with individual performances from players like Selkirk and Rolfe, although they would finish far from the top of the standings. Hank Greenberg and Goose Goslin, both critical to Detroit’s pennant run, would continue to be key players in the Tigers' push to the World Series.
