Comerica Park Dugout Collaboration
Founded in 1894, the Detroit Tigers had played at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Trumbull Avenue in the Corktown neighborhood since 1896. Over the years, The Tigers would build two stadiums in the same location—Navin Field and Briggs Stadium. One hundred and four years later, they would move from their familiar home in Corktown to their first new stadium in 88 seasons.
The new ballpark in downtown Detroit broke ground on October 29, 1997. It was part of a larger city revitalization plan that included the construction of Ford Field—home to the Detroit Lions—adjacent to the ballpark. With a field 25 feet below street level, the ballpark nestles into the neighborhood and affords visitors great views of the game and the surrounding historic architecture.
The Tigers threw their first pitch in Comerica Park on a snowy, blustery 36° day on April 11, 2000. Since then, the 41,083-seat stadium has played host to more than just baseball; in the last 20+ years, notable musicians including Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Eminem with Jay Z and Dr. Dre have played at the unique venue. Over the years, the ballpark has even been outfitted to host international hockey and soccer events.
Comerica Park is currently the only ballpark in the MLB to feature a distinctive dirt strip between home plate and the pitcher's mound. This strip, sometimes known as the "keyhole," was typical in early ballparks but is rare in modern facilities. Another notable feature is the home plate area which is shaped like the home plate itself and not a standard circle. Taking care of these distinctive details and the perfectly manicured ball field is Heather Nabozny, the first female Greens Keeper to be hired by an MLB team.
That Detroit Tigers have always had a strong commitment to community—the community as a whole—and it's reflected in some of their most popular annual experiences, all aimed at non-traditional baseball audiences—the Negro League Weekend, Pink out the Park, ¡Fiesta Tigre! and Sunday Kids Days.
From the Walk of Fame to the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round—and, of course, the baseball—Comerica Park delights visitors of all ages. LET'S GO, TIGERS!
Check out the entire Rebel Nell x Comerica Park Collaboration here!
