Ernie Harwell, Tigers Announcer

Ernie Harwell (Jan 25, 1918-May 4, 2010), originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play of Major League Baseball games. For 55 years, 42 of them with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell called the action on radio and/or television. This tribute to Harwell is located at one of the two main gates at Comerica Park. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2012.

Blinded By The Light

First Base, Right Field, Beyond, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The light towers are in the form of toothbrushes, just like those at Cleveland’s (since renamed) Jacobs Field. While Tiger Stadium’s distinctive bank of lights could be spotted from most places in Detroit, Comerica Park is only visible from a short distance. The field is dug below street level, so the ballpark doesn’t appear to be very large as you approach it from the outside. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2012.

Eye of the Tiger

DSCN1227, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Sitting atop the scoreboard, on either side, are a pair of orange and black tigers, whose eyes flicker green when a Tiger hits a home run and during the classic Survivor song “Eye of the Tiger.” Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers v Minnesota Twins, pre game temperature 54 degrees, September 22, 2012. Image by Gry P Smith.

Who'll Stop The Rain?

Rain Delay, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This image was captured from inside the Tiger Club, along the right field line at Comerica Park in Detroit. The game was eventually postponed after a two hour wait. Rain delays are no fun. Many thousands of people are forced into the concourses and common areas which weren't designed to accommodate such a massive influx. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2012.

The Detroit Athletic Club

Chevy Fountain and Detroit Athletic Club, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Ty Cobb is among the athletes to have been a member of the DAC (Detroit Athletic Club). The white building is visible beyond the center field Chevrolet Fountain at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit. Image by Gary P Smith, September, 2012.

Perhaps The Greatest Player In Baseball History

Ty Cobb Statue, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

At the left-center field concourse there are statues of all of the players whose numbers have been retired by the Tigers (with the exception of Jackie Robinson, whose number was retired in every MLB park in 1997). They include Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhouser, Willie Horton, Hank Greenberg. A statue of Ty Cobb is also there, but he does not have a number, as he played baseball before players began to wear numbers on their uniforms. Comerica Park, Detroit. Image by Gary P smith, September, 2012.

The Tigers of Comerica Park

Comerica Park Detroit, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The two main entrance gates, both down the right field line, are guarded by huge tigers with menacing scowls. In all, nine tigers, weighing an average of 5,000 pounds, are displayed above or near the entrances. Image by Gary P Smith, September 21, 2012. See Gary's Ballpark Blog also on Facebook.

With PAWS As My Witness

With These Paws I Thee Wed, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Paws is the mascot for the Detroit Tigers. I captured this image of a Tiger fan proposing to his lady. What's it like inside the PAWS suit? "It's so hot I don't even know how to explain it," a recent Michigan college student said. "He breathes into the chin and he sees out of the mouth." Anyone so committed to the craft is a great prospect to someday work Tigers games at Comerica Park as the main PAWS. The pay is about $50 an hour. Image by Gary P Smith, September 22, 2012.

Comerica Park, Detroit

From The Top, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Comerica Park is an HOK Sport-designed, Camden Yards-inspired, picturesque throwback era ballpark situated in the heart of downtown, just like its template is in other major American cities. This image serves as a panoramic of old and new Detroit, with the world headquarters of General Motors in the upper left background. The cloudy skies would ultimately lead to a postponement, after a two hour wait. Image by Gary P Smith, September 21, 2012.

Panoramic Target Field

Breath Taking Yet Intimate, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Target Field is the first baseball only park for the Twins. Prior to Target Field, the Twins had shared the same sports venue with the Minnesota Vikings (Metrodome and Metropolitan Stadium). Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2012.

Fans Gather At The 1-94 Playhouse

Miller Park, Revisited, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Brewers also have statues of legendary Milwaukee players Robin Yount and Hank Aaron outside the front entrance of Miller Park, as well as also a statue of former team owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig. The Brewers have announced that a fourth statue will be erected, commemorating longtime Brewers radio broadcaster Bob Uecker, to be unveiled on August 31, 2012.

On Fire For Budweiser

Budweiser Porch, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The popular left-field Budweiser roof deck features mostly standing room and the only bonfire in the Majors. Target Field, Minneapolis, July, 2012. By Gary P Smith.

Read Between The Lines

Fans Gather, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

In 2010, Target Field was ranked #1 for “Best Stadium Experience” by ESPN.
In 2011 was called “The Sports Facility of the Year” by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily. This couple take time out for a serious text message. Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2012.

Harmon Killebrew Statue

Harmon Killebrew Statue, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Harmon Killebrew statue stands just outside the Ballpark at Gate 3 in Twins Plaza. Image from Target Field, Minneapolis, July 19, 2012. By Gary P Smith.

The Pen

Double-Decker Bull Pens, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The bullpens are "double-decker" style in left-center field. The Twins' pen is farthest from the field, with the opposing team's pen below it, closest to the field. Definately a unique design to Target Field. Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2012. See www.garysballparkblog.blogspot.com/

Twins Majestic Clubhouse Store

Target Field Downtown Entrance, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

This view of the ballpark is the approach from downtown Minneapolis. The Twins store is massive is size, and was packed on this day. The limestone (total exterior) used in much of the stadium is from Kasota, near Mankato. Image by Gary P Smith, July 19, 2012. (See GarysBallparkBlog).

Minnie And Paul Logo At Target Field

More Minnie, Paul, Twin Cities, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

A large version of the Twins' original "Minnie and Paul" logo stands in center field. It shows two players wearing the uniforms of the two minor league teams that played in the Twin Cities before the Twins' arrival, the Minneapolis Millers and the St. Paul Saints, shaking hands across the Mississippi River. During various points in the game, the strobe lights surrounding the logo flash. Also, after a Twins home run, the strobe lights flash, Minnie and Paul shake hands, and the Mississippi River flows. The logo is one of the main focal points of Target Field. Image taken July 19, 2012, by Gary P Smith.

Infinity And Beyond

Twins Plaza, Target Center, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

There's a lot included in this image: the Target Center, the spacious glass shopping area, the upper deck canopy, Twins Plaza, the outfield bleachers, and the Minneapolis skyline. July, 2012, by Gary P Smith. See Gary's Ballpark Blog on Facebook.

This Kiss This Kiss

Then She Kissed Him, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Kiss Cam at Target Field in Minnesota. One of the most anticipated fan interactive events at any MLB park. Image by Gary P Smith, July 19, 2012.

Welcome To Target Field

Welcome To Target Field, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

In 2010, ESPN The Magazine ranked Target Field as the #1 stadium experience in North America, beating out 121 others. Press box and suites. Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2012.

Twins Tower

Right Field Corner, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

On November 10, 2010, the Twins announced a number of upgrades to Target Field, all of which were completed in time for the 2011 season. Highlights among the upgrades include a scoreboard in right-center field and the "Twins Tower" (a 100-foot (30 m) tall illuminated tower), next to the new scoreboard.

Cityscapes: Minneapolis

The View, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

In the visual arts a cityscape (urban landscape) is an artistic representation, such as a painting, drawing, print or photograph, of the physical aspects of a city or urban area. This breath taking and intimate view is from the upper deck of Target Field, behind home plate and third base. Image by Gary P Smith, July, 2012.

All Aboard For Target Field

Target Field Station Gate 6, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Using the light rail Metro system, over 8,000 people typically arrive every game via the Metro-Blue Line which terminates at Target Field Station, just 10 yards from the park's Gate 6. The train runs from Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport (MSP) straight through downtown and stops at the ballpark. Image by Gary P Smith. July, 2012.

"And The Runner Tags , , , And Mary Richards Throw Is , , ,"

Mary Tyler Moore Tosses Hat in Minneapolis, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

No, not really. This landmark was created back when cable channel TV Land thought pop culture, posterity and self-promotion would be best served by sponsoring public statues of fictional TV characters. Iconic, hat-tossing Mary Richards is from the opening credits of the 1970s sitcom set in Minneapolis. Image by Gary P Smith, downtown Minneapolis in front of Macy's, July 19, 2012.

Bernie Brewer, Team Mascot

The Slide, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Bernie Brewer, the team mascot, has a club house above the left field seats. See below for complete description. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012. (Gary's Ballpark Blog)

"Get Up, Get Up, Get Outa Here, Gone!"

Miller Park Revisited, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Bernie Brewer, the team mascot, has a club house above the left field seats (the yellow slide). Following every Brewers home run and victory, Bernie Brewer slides into a home plate shaped platform .This is different from his old home at Milwaukee County Stadium, where Bernie slid into a giant mug of beer in center field which had been sponsored over the years by Pabst, Miller, and Sentry Foods. During the home run celebration, a short burst of fireworks is shot out from the top of the center field scoreboard, and above Bernie's club house, the call words of Brewers' radio announcer Bob Uecker are illuminated, "Get Up, Get Up, Get Outta Here, Gone!" Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012. Garys Ballpark Blog.

If You Build It They Will Buy

The Only Gift Shop, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The sale of gift shop items goes to support the ongoing maintenance of the Field. Field of Dreams Movie Site is licensed by Universal Studios to sell Field of Dreams merchandise. Dyersville, Iowa, May 2012. Image by Gary P Smith.

Game Day Inside Miller Park

Pre Game, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

During the seventh inning stretch, in addition to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", fans at Miller Park sing "Roll Out the Barrel", in salute to Milwaukee's beer-making history. Image by Gary P Smith, May 19, 2012.

Harley-Davidson Gate at Miller Park

Harley-Davidson , originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Harley-Davidson has its headquarters and museum in Milwaukee. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012.

Klement's Racing Sausages of Miller Park

#1 Bratwurst Wearing Green Austro-Bavarian Lederhosen, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

The Sausage Race is a race of sausage mascots held before the bottom of the sixth inning at every home game of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Sausage Race is a promotion for the Klement's Sausage Company, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, whose sausages are served at Miller Park, the home of the Brewers. The mascots are officially known as Klement's Racing Sausages. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012.

Some Facts About Miller Park

Shadows, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Miller Park is one of the largest construction projects in Wisconsin history. Planned to open for the 2000 season, the stadium did not open until Opening Day 2001. The stadium has a retractable roof, built in a unique convertible style, with the roof panels opening and closing simultaneously in a sweeping manner from the first- and third-base sides toward center field. Image by Gary P Smith. May, 2012.

The Brewers, The Twins, and the Triplets

The Brewers, The Twins, and the Triplets, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

These Midwest farmer's daughters really did make us feel alright. The Brewer's fans are the best. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012.

Lansing Road Entrance to Field of Dreams Movie Site

Field of Dreams, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Terence Mann: "Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom."

Miller Park Revisited

Miller Park, Revisited, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

They say love is better the second time around. That holds true with this ballpark, after my initial visit in 2001. The repaving of a stretch of I-94 through Milwaukee forces you to slow down and see this giant structure of brick facade and structural elegance. The unique configuration separates this ballpark from any I've seen. May, 2012. Image by Gary P Smith.

Constellation Field and the Sugarland Skeeters

Constellation Field Scoreboard and Carousel, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Sugar Land's entry definately injects a new wrinkle for the Atlantic League, whose other teams fit a comparatively compact footprint in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. Pictured are the giant eight story tall "Texas" scoreboard, and an outfield carousel. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012.

The Lansing Farm House, Dyersville, Iowa

The Only Stands, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Many locations were considered for the movie "Field of Dreams", but with the persistence of the Iowa Film Board and a photo of the Lansing farm with all the right features, the producers were convinced to make the picture here. Filming lasted 14 weeks during the middle of a drought in the Summer of 1988. Image by Gary P Smith, May, 2012.

The People Side of Baseball: Cindy

Cindy, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

Cindy was the sole employee other than the owner at the Field of Dreams movie site. Visitors were sparse on this hot May afternoon. A most pleasant and cordial woman, as were most of the Dyersville residents we met. May, 2012.

Field of Dreams

Lansing Family Farm, originally uploaded by Gary P. Smith.

"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again. Oh people will come. People will definately come." ---- From the movie, "Field of Dreams."