Comerica: Luxury or Necessity?

[Obri]

A friend of mine visited Detroit last year, and despite being more of an NHL fan, decided to catch a couple of ballgames at Comerica Park when the Tigers faced the Orioles. He described the ballpark as breathtaking, and later the same week, decided to visit Tiger Stadium. He was shocked to find that this supposedly run down stadium was in better condition than most of the sporting arenas still in use at the highest level in the UK.

So, was Comerica Park a necessity for the Tigers, or just a case of Illitch flexing his financial muscle?

[phenom]

Here's how I see it:

Tiger Stadium was turning into a run-down barn, but like you said, could compete with many parks still in use today. I loved that stadium.

Anyway, Ilitch decided it was time to find a way to get more people to watch his team, as well as lure free agents to Detroit, so he decided to build a ballpark, and Comerica was born.

Problem is, after the park was built, Ilitch offered Juan Gonzalez about 793 billion dollars to wear the old english D, and Juan said no. Suddenly, there was a moratorium on free agents in Detroit. Suddenly, Ilitch, who had preached his desire and willingness to bring big-name talent into Detroit, was doing just the opposite, all with Randy Smith in charge at the GM helm. Smith, with the puppet strings in place, systematically dismantled the team via the Houston Express. But I digress...

So Comerica I think was more luxury than necessity, but at least they did it right, IMO. I think the park is beautiful and I love going to it. If only the product on the field was a little more competitive.

[WestsideHimself]

necessity for sure...been in both.....although i like the feel and all of tiger stadium they did need a new park.....

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

although they did need a new park, and it is absolutely beautiful, i like the feel of the old stadium. Tiger Stadium is where is grew up (practically), so i have a lot of memories etc left there. basically Tiger Stadium is more of a sentimental value for me.

[Trots]

The park was part necessity, part marketing ploy. Anyone who walked into the lockerooms, dugouts and through the tunnels, would be forced into believing that Tiger Stadium simply had to go. If for no other reason than to provide the players (especially free agents) with the basics of modern convenience. In any number of ways, Tiger Stadium was clearly a century behind.

However, as other new parks popped up all over the nation, the Tigers decided to join in. Why not? Look at the attendance and financial boost places like Camden Yards and Jacobs Field had. The Tigers longed for that kind of success, as attendance and interest were on the decline at Tiger Stadium, so they went the theory, "If you build it, they will come".

Alas, the team's protracted on-field failures leading up to the new yard only made fans more apathetic. The fans have avoided the new place just as much as they did Tiger Stadium when Ilitch whined about all the money he was losing there. Of course, he's now losing much more with a loan payment on Comerica Park to a Japanese bank.

IMO, the Tigers did need a new ballpark simply because neither the owners of the ballclub or the city of Detroit chose to keep Tiger Stadium up-to-date. Had they done that throughout the years, it would have been just fine today. Much like Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. As they did nothing, I view the new field as an unfortunate necessity.

[Obri]

Thanks for satisfying my curiousity guys.

[WestsideHimself]

Originally posted by ~*TiGeRs f@N*~
although they did need a new park, and it is absolutely beautiful, i like the feel of the old stadium. Tiger Stadium is where is grew up (practically), so i have a lot of memories etc left there. basically Tiger Stadium is more of a sentimental value for me.

You grew up there...........how many games have you been to Jen........i highly don't think it was that many.

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by WestsideHimself


You grew up there...........how many games have you been to Jen........i highly don't think it was that many.

Uh, oh....Take the gloves off, this could be a slobberknocker:boxing: :boxing: :boxing: :boxing:

[WestsideHimself]

I myself have not been to a lot....maybe 20.........I don't think Jen has over 20 a year....hat is what i consider growing up there.....not 3 or 4 a year.

[~*TiGeRs f@N*~]

when i was yonger (between the ages of about 6 - 12) my uncle ed and i atteneded anywhere between 12 and 18 games a year. when i got older and had less time we still caught about 5 games a year. no need to fight about any of this, we had a good time last night, why fight now?

[Baseball Guru]

Anyways,

I think Brian's post is dead on.....

Out of curiousity, did how many season tickets do they sell??

Also I'm sure as an extra benefit, the coorporate boxes they sold were pretty sweet....

[phenom]

they sell two to me.

I'm such a sucker.

'Course, the checkbook hasn't let me buy my installment this year yet.