By Scott Morganroth

Special Writer

    I’ve been to many great events during my 28-year media career, including two Super Bowls, but if there is one day that I’d freeze in time, it is September 27, 1999, as the Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-2 in “The Finale” at Tiger Stadium as Robert Fick’s eighth inning grand slam still stands out in my mind plus: listening to Ernie Harwell at game’s end paying tribute and watching all the great players from past to present line up from center field to home plate are moments that were unforgettable. While watching the demolition of Tiger Stadium eats my heart, there will never be an event that tops this one. Before the game, interviewing my Tigers idols just made the day that much better.

    If there is one way to cushion the blow of this historical site, the Red Wings should build a new stadium at Michigan and Trumbull. They should name it Olympia Stadium and recreate the brick exterior. We know this site doesn’t lack accessibility or parking. When Mike Ilitch brought back Ernie Harwell to broadcast and let him retire on his own terms, the city rejoiced, after the public relations fiasco it created when he was dismissed. Ernie’s efforts have been outstanding in trying to preserve history and if a Hall of Famer can’t save it, no one will. But now that the demolition is started, this is a golden opportunity for Ilitch to score big with the community and turn this negative into a positive. He’ll get this stadium built faster than he thinks due to the emotion and sensibility of the situation.

  “That’s the best idea I’ve heard yet for the Corner,” said longtime Tigers booster Michael McGlinnen of Livonia.

   Here in South Florida, the Orange Bowl is being torn down to build a new stadium for the Marlins. The team name will be changed to the Miami Marlins, which was used years ago when there was a Florida State League team at Miami Stadium. There were Super Bowls, NCAA Championships, Miami Hurricanes and Dolphins championship teams in the current stadium site. Tiger Stadium has hosted the World Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Games, Detroit Lions games, NFL Championship Games, Joe Louis boxing bouts, etc. There is no reason that while those original sites are gone that new memories can’t be created on that land. Joe Louis Arena will also be preserved and the city could always find ways to use that building (maybe in conjunction with Cobo Center expansion) especially being on the waterfront. Detroiters need something to feel good about. This is a good place to start. While we can appreciate history, we shouldn’t be afraid of allowing history to connect the new generation to the old generation!

   Reach Scott Morganaroth at scottbullm@comcast.net.

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