The city of Detroit bid farewell to Tiger Stadium last
night, as the Tigers beat the Royals 8-2 in front of a sold
out crowd of 43,356. The ballpark, which opened in 1912,
hosted its final game, and the evening ended "with many ...
fans standing at their seats, piano music playing over the
public address system and the lights slowly going dark."
Longtime Tigers radio announcer Ernie Harwell said, "Tonight
we must say good-bye. So long old friend. We will
remember." In Detroit, McGraw & Migoya report that "despite
the crowds around the park, the day came off peacefully"
(DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/28). USA TODAY's Richard Willing
writes that the capacity crowd was "lively but well
behaved." Present-day Tigers shook hands and signed
autographs for incoming fans at the gates (USA TODAY, 9/28).
ABC's Dave Marash hosted "Nightline" from Detroit. Marash,
on the stadium: "It's rough looking. It's tough looking.
It's blue collar." He interviewed a three-person panel that
included Harwell, Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Detroit
Free Press columnist Mitch Albom (ABC, 9/27).
