In 1895, a ballpark was built on a patch of Detroit grass on the corners of Michigan and Trumbull avenues. 17 years later, the Tigers would make it their home until the turn of the millennium. But after it sat empty and lonely for another ten years, and then, as Jared Wyllys of Sportingnews.com puts it, it was gone.
All that remains now of former Tiger Stadium is a dark green flag pole in center field at the new Corner Ballpark that’s since been built on site. The former home of the Negro League Detroit Stars has been neglected for two decades, too. Ike Blessit, a Tiger for four MLB games back in 1972, has started his own 501(c)3 organization to try and raise money to restore it. It’s a project of considerable size, but Blessit will “tirelessly evangelize any audience” in order to get the attention he feels the endeavor deserves. There are plenty more details within the full piece, which historians and Tigers fans alike ought give a full read.
A couple more items out of the Midwest…
- Twins infielder Logan Forsythe heads into free agency for the first time “surrounded by unknowns,” Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press tweets as an intro to a full piece on the subject. Forsythe has been dealing with a left knee issue, and will have only a small handful of opportunities to reverse a 44-game homer drought when he’s able to return to the lineup. Berardino describes Forsythe’s offense as being on a “downward trend”, citing a .287 slugging percentage with just ten doubles since his last homer on June 10th. While that’s somewhat of an arbitrary endpoint, Berardino brings to light more stable figures to draw from, such as a dip in homers per season and average exit velocity since his peak with the Rays in 2016. “This year going into the offseason, we’re just open ears right now,” Forsythe said on the subject. “When the offers start coming in, it’s going to be based on where our family is at and what’s best for our family. But I’ve always been a fan of Minnesota, coming here to play. It’s a sleeper city.”
- Brewers relief ace Josh Hader broke two more records during Friday night’s contest against the Pirates, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel notes, which further adds to the splendor of his 2018 resume. Hader’s streak of 16 consecutive outs recorded via the strikeout is the longest by a pitcher in the expansion era, and his 136 K’s on the season are now the most ever for a left-handed reliever in a single season. He’s needed just 77 innings to reach that threshold, making that feat all the more remarkable considering the former record holder needed 150 innings to set the old record of 134. Rosiak lists a slew of other accomplishments by Hader, and details his pitch selection along with some fun facts that diehard Brewers fans will surely enjoy.
No offense to Mr Blessit and his adventures, but downtown Detroit itself has entire areas falling down and in need of infrastructure need. Wouldn’t it be much better input of donations to help native detroit area people to revitalize the areas in total need of local housing than a stadium itself?
I get what your saying but if I’m understanding it restoring isn’t building. Since I have never seen it it might be a compete eye sore and mess that the government is looking at demoing and so he’s stepping up to preserve a historical landmark? I don’t know for certain but I really don’t think you could go wrong trying to restore anything in Detroit since the city has been on hard times.
Who do you think you are to tell him where his levied money should go? His work, his dream, his money.
Agreed. This article is so biased it it nauseating and omitting FACTS
Hader is Sale 2.0. Can’t wait to see him in the rotation.
Much like Chapman, he’s been too successful in the pen to move to the rotation, especially when starters are less relied on. There are only a handful of Power Lefties; Chapman, A. Miller, Britton and a few youngsters who need to show they are not a one year wonder. The role he currently fills has more trade value than any other.
Pretty sure being a #1 pitcher still has more trade value than being a left handed reliever. Chris Sale cost a pretty good amount. Not that it even matters because they brewers need what they need. His trade value is irrelevant. If they feel hader could turn into a chris sale in the rotation he’ll be there.
The original record holder is John Hiller, who in the season that he struck out 134 also compiled a record of 17-14 without ever starting a game. I would guess that this is also the record for decisions without ever making a start.
I don’t know if these are records:
1959, PIT Elroy Face was 18-1 in relief.
1964, BOS Dick Radatz had 181 SO in relief.
1974, LAD Mike Marshall pitched 208.1 INN in relief.
1905-1906, NYY Clark Griffith was the first true reliever. He did start games but he was primarily a reliever. When he owned the Washington Senators, his teams continued to develop the use of relievers.
Unfortunately Mr Blessit refuses to acknowledge victory unless it looks exactly like what he demands. The PAL facility built their field to the dimensions of the original field and the faculty honors the original stadium and its traditions. This is a much better option than the Walmart a previous city administration wanted to build there. It’s also better than the 3 public diamonds on the site of old Yankee Stadium. In Heritage Park there is no way to experience the old field (stand on 2nd base and pretend it’s home plate). The PAL project came about because of the work Mr Blessit and his fans did and it is too bad he fails to see this because of his feud with the city. Lastly, portraying the field he was maintaining as open to the public is simply lying. The city had the site surrounded by a 6’ high fence which the “grounds crew” broke into every week to do their work. It was never an open park.
Hopefully MLBTR announced the Hawks retirement. Quite the career with a language all his own.
A pair of shoes!
lol Forsythe thinks the offers are going to come in. A minor league deal is what I see coming in for his trash performance this year.