Historic Tiger Stadium worth keeping around

10/21/2007

There is a baseball landmark that is going to fall under the wrecking ball if nothing is done to preserve it. I'm talking about Tiger Stadium in Detroit.

People - sportscasters in particular - are always talking about ''old-school" and the "glory days" of the game. Here's a chance to preserve all of that. The clock is ticking away on another historically structurally sound landmark that is going to be razed. Why do we tear down old structures and build new ones to look like the new ones, minus the history?

Hindsight is always 20/20, let's not look back in regret. Our "disposable" society that we live in these days has a tendency to refer to objects as "relics" as a way to justify tearing down structurally sound, viable historical structures. That's being wasteful, plain and simple, in reality they are deemed "relics" because they don't have enough toilets, concession stands and luxury boxes.

In Green Bay they found a way to do it the right way. Even in Chicago there was enough respect to play on the same ground. If this place is allowed to be destroyed for "high in the sky" plans, none of which is realistic (condos and a mall), then so much for all the "hot air" spewed forth by the fans and sportscasters about hallowed grounds and sports shrines.

"Old school" is fast becoming an overly used term that basically means "squat" with no substance.

It's just "cowtowing" to one Mike Illitch, whom it seems is the force behind shooting down all of the other viable proposals that have been put forth.

Greed, what cruel fate for such a ''grand old place" that she is.

CHRISTOPHER HEBERT

Essexville, Mich.

The Blade sports department encourages your letters and comments. Be brief; letters will be edited for content, clarity and length, and must include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Send letters to: Sports Editor, The Blade, P.O. Box 921, Toledo, OH, 43697-0921, or e-mail to sports@theblade.com.