Miami Marlins Stadium Tour Series: Comerica Park

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Welcome to Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Baseball loves its cathedrals.

Sure, the other sports can offer up the odd gem. Lambeau Field. Madison Square Garden. But most of the discussion about the feared football or beloved basketball palaces, past or present, revolve around factors like crowd noise, or “being on top of the action.” However, unless you’re one of those executives who pick where the Super Bowl is going to be, stadium aesthetics tend to be of secondary importance.

Baseball is different though. Our ballparks are as much a part of the team as any player is, and that goes for all thirty teams in the majors. The handful of us that did still show up in July and August for day games at Pro Player? The dull concrete torment was just part of being a Marlins fan, to the point that all the snide remarks from national commentators seemed a bit over the top.

And then I went to Wrigley, and suspected they might be on to something. And then Yankee Stadium. And U.S. Cellular. And Miller Park. And Busch Stadium. The list went on, and any doubt that the Marlins could do with a baseball facelift went out the window.

More from Marlins History

Ballpark chasing is a passion of mine, to me one of the best parts of being a baseball fan. Different cities bring vastly different styles, as well as vastly different levels of enthusiasm and commitment to the game itself. From a Marlins first perspective, consider that it’s only a recent occurrence that even season ticket holders get to watch Giancarlo Stanton take batting practice at Marlins Park; if you want to see one of the best power shows in sports, you need to hit the road to do it. Want those Marlins autographs? Odds go up immensely when you travel. The up close access most parks allow up until forty minutes from first pitch, regardless of what seats you hold tickets for, affords you the chance for amazing photographs and some lasting memories. It’s well worth doing. And not just for the baseball, you’d be amazed what else you can fit in to a vacation planned around a 3-4 hour sporting event, and what this country’s cities and states have to offer.

So starting here, every road stadium that I’ve visited- up to 17/30 at this point- will get a special write up detailing the Marlins record at the park in question, as well as some notable moments in overall franchise history between the clubs.

So for the first stop on our stadium tour series, we give you the site of tonight’s action: Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers.

Next: Marlins-Tigers History

Okay, so this is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Ground was broken on this park the same year the Marlins and Tigers played their first series, way back during that first championship run in 1997. Which, by the way, was about as soon as they possibly could have played; the first Marlins-Tigers game came just four days after the first Interleague game in MLB history, as 1997 was the first season featuring crossover play. The Tigers were the second AL team the Fish ever faced, and old Tiger Stadium was the first AL park they would play in. The Marlins enjoy an 8-6 edge all-time against the Tigers, but are just 1-2 at Comerica Park (they did go 2-1 at Tiger Stadium).

Notable Marlins-Tigers History:

Of those six losses against Detroit in franchise history, three of them came at the hands of a pitcher who either previously had or would go on to pitch for the Marlins. Booo Gary Knotts, Nate Robertson, and Anibal Sanchez.
As you might remember, following the 2007 season, the Marlins shipped off Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis for a package of prospects that would spend the next five seasons putting up careers that ranged from mediocre to terrible. At that point, five of those players continued to be either mediocre or terrible, and Andrew Miller began reinventing himself to the point he’s become one of the games premiere relievers. No one could have thought of that in 2008?
As you all certainly should remember, the last time the Marlins beat the Tigers was a rather special day, seeing as how Henderson Alvarez saw fit to pick up the fifth no-hitter in franchise history on the last day of the 2013 season. Strangest of all was that not a single earned run was allowed that day by either side, with the winning run coming home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

Even before the Cabrera trade, it’s the face of Luis Castillo standing in the on-deck circle that comes to my mind when I think Marlins-Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Lastly, there’s Luis Castillo. For 35 glorious games in the summer of 2002, the Marlins had purpose. Castillo’s 35-game hit streak was some of the most fun I’ve had watching Marlins baseball. Easily one of the best moments in franchise history. And the Tigers ruined it on June 22nd, 2002. Even worse, he was in the on-deck circle waiting for his fifth at-bat when the game ended. Granted, it ended with a Marlins win, but I’d struggle to come up with a win that felt more like a loss than that one.

Next: The Comerica Experience

Baselines and the backdrop are the story in Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

As for the ballpark itself, I can claim one visit; it was in July 2014, and was in a non-Marlins capacity. The Tigers were playing the Indians, and I’m fairly sure the Tigers won by many, many runs. When the Marlins aren’t playing on a road visit, I’m hardly in my seat, and instead eat and explore my way through what the new park has to offer.

Comerica is old by modern standards, completed back in 2000. It holds up very well though, easily the crown jewel of a downtown area that is known for being perhaps a bit dilapidated. It also sits right across from the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field; seriously, if you visit and feel a sudden spasm of “why did the Marlins trade Miggy” rage, you can probably hit Ford Field with a well-aimed hot dog.

The baselines and the backdrop are the main event in terms of in your seat, baseball watching appeal. Seated comfortably inside the park, the Detroit skyline is a perfect backdrop for taking in our national pastime. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, really. Plus the sightlines continue to rate high marks all along the main concourse, particularly in the outfield. Ideal for when you want to walk off that stadium fare and position yourself to catch a Cabrera dinger.

Outside the park…well I will confess to specifically planning to see a day game. Yet I’ll also cop to not having had the time to really explore the city, and that I have heard good things from multiple sources about a bit of a Detroit Renaissance. Especially for the arts. But I can understand if some fans are reticent to check this one off the ballpark bucket list for reasons stemming beyond the diamond. All I can say on that score is that the area immediately around the stadiums looked pretty safe, with even the less expensive parking well within well trafficked and patrolled areas. And it’s a day trip from a lot of other great destinations if want to make it a stadium only visit, and not a long weekend.

Now since this was during the 2014 season, metal detectors weren’t mandatory yet. Comerica had many, many metal detectors.

That was a bit unnerving. Once inside though, any qualms over that are quickly washed away. A huge amount of thought is given to making this a kid-friendly, baseball-lovers’ friendly fan experience. Pitching and hitting cages are major attractions along the concourses, and the park makes sure you never forget the proud history this franchise enjoys.

Out of seventeen parks visited, It’s 12th on my list.

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