Tiger Stadium Link Roundup

Not much is being said in the media this week leading up to what would have been the 100th anniversary of Tiger Stadium (Navin Field when it opened in 1912) so I thought I would at least post some videos and links to relevant Tiger Stadium information. Tiger Stadium Links

Brief History of Tiger Stadium

Ballpark Tour - Tiger Stadium

Baseball Almanac looks at Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium Videos

Jeff Daniels, Ernie Harwell, George Kell, Al Kaline, and others reminisce about Tiger Stadium -

Color footage of an August 4, 1956 game between the Yankees and Tigers at what was then still called Briggs Stadium -

The 1984 "Bless You Boys" brought the most people to ever go through the turnstiles at Tiger Stadium in a season -

Of course, you can't talk about Tiger Stadium without having Ernie Harwell share his Tiger Stadium memories -

Stealing Home - documentary on Navin Field Grounds Crew

Supposedly coming Summer 2012 is a documentary chronicling the endeavors by a group of folks partial to the history of "The Corner" to keep the former site of Detroit Tigers baseball clean and playable. See the Navin Field Grounds Crew facebook page for more information.

SPECIAL BONUS!

Here is a sneak peak at our ode to Tiger Stadium affectionately known as "The Corner" (coming soon!) -

The day KISS came to Cadillac

I can honestly say that I had never heard of this story before today. I was browsing the Detroit Free Press site this morning and came across this article - Movie about when KISS came to Cadillac could film in Michigan. Back in the fall of 1975 at the request of Cadillac's high school assistant football coach, Jim Neff, KISS came to the small northern Michigan city for two legendary days. KISS music was played during the 1974 season to inspire the football team after they started the season 0-2. KISS came into town during the 1975 homecoming week and played a concert at the high school gym and spent two days visiting with the locals before taking off in a helicopter from the football field.

Now, "Cadillac High" has been approved to receive Michigan film incentives to film here in Michigan. The film will be based on the legendary KISS visit for those two October days back in 1975.

Here is a brief documentary piece about the 1975 visit -

Color brochure of all of the 1958 Ford cars

I love all of the different shapes and colors. Not at all like today's bland homogenized creations. I had my son look at them and I found it amusing that his favorites are the Edsel models and the Ranch Wagons.

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From flickr user x-ray delta one

Saw this at boingboing.net

Upcoming Civil War events in Michigan

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. With the anniversary comes a renewed interest and some events that are annual events as well as some new events as well. These events and reenactments offer us all a chance to get a peak at what life was like for civilians and soldiers 150 years ago. It's a great chance for your kids to see history come to life. We've taken our kids to Civil War reenactments and events in the past and it has always fascinated and captivated them.

Plowshares into Swords April 12, 2011 - February 5, 2012 Special exhibit at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing explores how the Civil War changed Michigan resident's lives.

Niles - Brandywine Civil War Reenactment May 14-15th They are reenacting the Battle of Shiloh this year.

Civil War Reenactment at Walker Tavern May 14-15 Watch battle reenactments, artillery and infantry demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

Civil War Days in Branch County This Memorial Day Weekend event in Coldwater is another great Civil War history experience. The local steam-powered locomotive, Little River Railroad, provides a ride for Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. There are vintage baseball games, an 1860's wedding, a reenactment of the Battle of Vicksburg, and much more.

Iron Ore and the Civil War August 6-7th at Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee "The Civil War and the role Michigan's iron resources played in preserving the Union will come to life when the museum hosts a weekend Civil War artillery encampment. This encampment features military and civilian camp life, cannon demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and costumed portrayals of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln."

Civil War Era Artillery Encampment August 12-13 at Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor. "Battery D, First Michigan Light Artillery, recreates army life of the period with artillery and small arms drills, cooking, soldiers' pastimes and much more! The encampment features more than 25 costumed interpreters, tents and full-scale artillery pieces, as well as authentically reproduced mess gear, small arms and other period artifacts."

Jackson, Michigan Cascades Civil War Muster August 26-28th This is the largest Civil War reenactment event in Michigan. This year they are reenacting the Battle of Bethel Church, Virginia.

Michigan 16th Infantry Civil War Reenactors at Mackinac Island September 10-11 at Fort Mackinac. "A little-known page in Fort Mackinac’s history will be revealed when a group of 16th Michigan Company reenactors depicting the Stanton Guard and the 3rd U.S. Infantry are hosted at Fort Mackinac."

Holland Civil War Muster SEPTEMBER 17 & 18, 2011, at the historic Van Raalte Farm in Holland, MI. "This year’s all-new FREE event features the 1st Battle of Bull Run (known in the South as 1st Manassas) with two days worth of music, impressions of historical figures, performances, medical scenarios, period-style vendors, and (of course) battle."

Don't forget to check out SeekingMichigan.org for an in-depth list of statewide events related to the Civil War.

Navy to honor the Arsenal of Democracy with new USS Detroit warship

[photo of previous USS Detroit by PHAN Alex J. Recalde] Their have been six previous USS Detroit warships. Construction on the seventh USS Detroit is expected to begin this December or January of 2012. When complete, the ship will be 378 feet long, 57 feet wide, and have a cruising speed of 40 knots.

The first USS Detroit was built by the British in 1813 and captured by the Americans in the Battle of Lake Erie. The most recent USS Detroit, nicknamed "Dirty D", was decommissioned in 2005 after 35 years of service.