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.