Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Throughout the next couple decades I got to do a lot while the Tigers played at Tiger Stadium and then Comerica Park. All these memories bring me pleasure and cause me to remember some other special happenings going on in my life at the time. These events aren’t in any particular order. There are two previous posts to go with this one.

• Picnic in the Park Where I had a chance to meet the players after the game and picnic with them at the stadium. Yes, it cost extra, but it went to charity. I had my picture taken with the Head Coach at the time, Phil Garner, as well as many of the players. I don’t know if they still do this.
• Sammy Sosa and the Cubs. The Tiger pitcher walked him his first up and got booed because everyone wanted to see Sammy hit. It was one of his best years.
• Ernie Harwell I feel privileged to have met Ernie as he signed his book at Comerica Park. I actually sat on a picnic bench and had a chat with him, and asked if he’d pose for a picture. He obliged with a smile. Talking to him was like talking to a good friend. There’s no one like this great man. That day they were giving Ernie Harwell Bobble Heads to the first 5,000 fans. I’m proud to say I got there early. I also briefly met him at Tiger Stadium.
• End of School The principal at the school I worked at took every student and staff member to Tiger Stadium before our school closed due to budget cuts. It’s a bittersweet memory.
• Opening Day You know how it often snows on Opening day in Detroit? It’s true. The temperature on my one and only opening day game was 32 degrees with snowflakes. This was the year we had season tickets.
• Tiger Den Seating Sometimes it’s fun to be bad. You have to have special tickets to sit here, because it’s not cheap. Not when your boyfriend worked as the server in that area. (Shh, don’t tell.) Yes, that section has their own wait staff.
• Tiger Fest Another event where you can meet some of the Tigers and get autographs. This is held before the season begins. This is another event that I’m not sure they still have.
• Picture Day You’re allowed to come early and take photos of all the players. I flirted with Alan Trammel, who was my favorite player in his day. No autographs allowed on this day, and they mean it. Alan told me he’d give me one before the game started. Didn’t happen because I couldn’t see him from my seat.

These last three blog posts were inspired by Tiger Stadium in Detroit, turning 100. Then I posted it on my Facebook page and a comment got me to thinking about some of the special events I had attended between Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park so when I sat down to lay out a blog on the subject, it ended up being too long for one post.

Now, how about those Detroit Red Wing memories? I have some,and a signed jersey to prove it. Not one signature, but the whole front and some of the back is covered. Ah, memories…

Note: Since I’m only human, if you find an error, please let me know. Thanks.