Aaron was sad as he drove by run down old buildings as we were leaving Detroit, but honestly I don't know why. If I were him I would have been smiling and letting out a big woo-hoo! I guess you're allowed to be sad if you care that this used to be real estate but it's now only field and trees. You got it, you got it.

We were heading out of town, but we made a point to go check out what is left of old Tiger Stadium. Comerica Park opened in 2000, but pieces still remained of the Tigers old ballpark (but it has since been totally demolished). Comerica Park is right downtown, but this place was in a scary neighborhood. No wonder they changed locations.

We exited Comerica Park and I turned around to snap a picture of it. Since this stadium is right downtown, they close off the surrounding streets before and after (and most likely during) gametime, which allows the fans to pour out into the streets after the game. I'm not sure if this is good or bad. Does Detroit riot?

There was one section of town (I believe it was either the old downtown or the industrial sector) that was completely run down due to the collapse of the auto industry over the last decade. Many of the buildings were just shells of their former selves, and the windows were blown out and you could see straight through them.

When I finally got home, I was in rough shape. At the time I felt like there was no way I would make it into work the next morning, but like every morning, I found a way to make it happen. But I still didn't want to do it. If I could've had it my way I would've stayed in Canada. I don't know why we make fun of them so much, that country rules!

We stopped at a Steak 'n Shake for dinner, and I got a double steak burger with some cheese fries and a strawberry banana shake. Sounds like a recipe for a heart attack, I know. But it also sounded mega delicious, and I just couldn't say no to that. I don't go to Steak 'n Shake that often because I don't know where one is, so I was celebrating. Yeah, celebrating an early trip to the grave. Oh well, everybody dies. I'm just trying to beat you to it.

Tiger Stadium was a gem...when it was in its heyday, just like Milwaukee County Stadium was. By the time the late 90's approached, the Tigers (like the Brewers) needed an upgraded facility in order to stay competitive and draw the corporate dollar by adding luxury suites and group seating areas. The Tigers played here from 1912 - 1999, which is pretty ridiculous. Just looking at it gave me the chills. Not because of the ghosts of dead ballplayers that probably haunt the site, but of my bad memories of County Stadium. Looking at those support beams in the upper and lower decks remind me of obstructed view seats, and made me think about how amazing Miller Park is compared to County Stadium. Much like there is tons of personal and baseball history at both Tiger Stadium and County Stadium, moving on was something that both teams needed to do. It was cool to see what was left of this park, but I'm glad that they moved to newer and updated facilities.

Home

Oh Canada + Motown Madness - Brewers vs. Tigers in Detroit

Kids eat free all weekend, but they charged me. I took my bill to the manager and protested, but both of my usual excuses (that I act like a kid and that I'm just like Robin Williams in Jack) didn't work, so we dined and dashed. Thanks to that, I am now a fugitive in the state of Michigan. Now I can never go back there.