There was hardly a dry eye in the ballpark when the Detroit Tigers played their final game at iconic Tiger Stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull.
The final game at Tiger Stadium on September 27, 1999, was not just a baseball game—it was the end of an era for Detroit, its fans, and the legacy of one of baseball's most storied ballparks.
For 87 years, Tiger Stadium had been the heart of baseball in Detroit, hosting some of the game's greatest moments and players.
The atmosphere that night was electric, a blend of nostalgia and celebration, as fans gathered to say goodbye to the place that had witnessed countless unforgettable moments.
The Legacy of Tiger Stadium
Tiger Stadium, originally known as Navin Field when it opened in 1912, had evolved with the city. It was later renamed Briggs Stadium and finally, Tiger Stadium in 1961.
The venue had seen some of the greatest players in baseball history:
- Ty Cobb
- Hank Greenberg
- Al Kaline
- Lou Whitaker
The stadium's unique architecture, with its upper deck overhanging right field, gave it a distinct charm that set it apart from other ballparks. For decades, Tiger Stadium was synonymous with the grit and pride of Detroit, becoming a baseball cathedral for generations of fans.
Like Tiger Stadium's legacy, you can build your own winning strategy with our
Betting Favorites
guide.
September 27, 1999: The Final Game
That night in September, the Tigers faced the Kansas City Royals in a game that would be immortalized not for its playoff implications, but for its significance to Detroit and its loyal fanbase.
Robert Fick, a rookie that season, hit the last home run in Tiger Stadium—a towering grand slam in the eighth inning that hit the right-field roof, sending the 43,356 fans into a frenzy.
Fick's blast provided a fitting end to the stadium's legacy of dramatic home runs and was a moment that perfectly captured the emotion of the night.
Post-Game Ceremony: Honoring the Past
The final score, an 8-2 Tigers victory, felt secondary to the post-game ceremony that followed. As the game concluded, the lights dimmed, and a ceremony took place to honor the ballpark's rich history.
It was an evening of reflection, as many of the greatest players in Tigers history took to the field one last time.
- Hall of Famer Al Kaline, who spent his entire career with the Tigers, walked onto the field to thunderous applause
- Alongside other Tigers legends like Willie Horton, Alan Trammell, and Lou Whitaker.
Each former player stood at their respective positions, reliving the memories of their playing days, with Kaline taking his spot in right field—where he had patrolled for over two decades. It was a moment that bridged the past and the present, a reminder of the generations of players who had worn the Old English "D" on their chests and made Tiger Stadium their home.
The final out of the night was thrown by Todd Jones, but the lasting image for many was when former manager Sparky Anderson walked out to home plate, capping off the ceremony.
As Anderson stood there, it felt like the passing of a torch—a recognition that while Tiger Stadium was closing its doors, the legacy of the Tigers would continue.
Tiger Stadium had been a part of so many iconic moments in baseball history. It was there when Ty Cobb sharpened his spikes and set records, when Hank Greenberg chased home run records in the 1930s, and when the 1984 Tigers, led by Anderson, dominated their way to a World Series title.
- For Detroiters, Tiger Stadium was more than a ballpark—it was a part of the city’s identity.
A New Era with Comerica Park
But by the 1990s, it was clear that the stadium, despite its historic significance, was no longer practical for a modern sports franchise. The Tigers’ ownership decided to move to a new, state-of-the-art stadium, which would eventually be named Comerica Park.
The decision was controversial, as many fans cherished the history and uniqueness of Tiger Stadium, but the team’s leadership believed a modern facility was necessary to keep pace with other MLB franchises.
Comerica Park opened in 2000, just a few miles from the original site of Tiger Stadium, in downtown Detroit. The new ballpark brought with it modern amenities and a refreshed vision for Tigers baseball, but it could never fully replace the memories and significance of the old stadium.
- Still, Comerica Park became a new home for Tigers fans, as the franchise sought to blend its historic past with its future.
The Spirit of Tiger Stadium Lives On
The final game at Tiger Stadium marked the end of an era, but it also reinforced the deep connection between the Tigers, their fans, and the city of Detroit.
Tiger Stadium may be gone, but its spirit lives on in the stories, the memories, and the generations of fans who passed through its gates.
If you want to find more about baseball moments and legends, check our
news section.
