The Tigers Have Returned to Comerica

By Sean Gagnier

@SeanGagnier

 They've stood as sentinels to every Tigers game since Comerica Park opened in 2000, but they have been absent from their home for more than a month now - but they are back. The two 12-foot tigers that have flanked the scoreboard at Comerica Park have returned from their winter vacation in Milford, Mich. and now sit in their new place of honor - atop the new scoreboard at Comerica.

When the Tigers announced that they were constructing a new scoreboard for the 2012 season they knew they had to address the tiger statues which had endured 11 years in the harsh Michigan climate - making it through winter after winter.

The statues were taken down and hauled via flatbed truck to a facility in Milford that was able to clean them and restore them to their original condition from 2000. They were shipped back to Detroit in the morning hours of Mar. 16th as to not tie up the expressways and are now back atop the scoreboard at Comerica Park.

Tigers fans may miss the two wild cats altogether this season because their gaze will be focused on the brand new scoreboard below the animals. The new board will feature the 13th largest video board in professional sports worldwide and the largest in the state of Michigan. 

With the new scoreboard increasing in size by 600 percent from 1008 sq. ft. to 6000 sq. ft. Tigers fans will be able to enjoy themselves much easier for many seasons to come. Welcome back cats.

This is what the Tigers' new scoreboard will look like

 

 

When it opened in 2000, Comerica Park boasted all of the newest amenities available, but things move fast nowadays and the Tigers scoreboard quickly became outdated. The Tigers scoreboard did boast one thing, the largest analog clock in the major leagues - but fans don't want those things, they want large, bright, high-definition video screens as part of their scoreboards. And Tigers fans will get it.

The scoreboard in left field will be much bigger and more impressive this year, becoming the 13th largest video-board in professional sports and the largest in the state of Michigan. It will be a 600 percent increase in size from the old scoreboard when it is finished. The original scoreboard was 1008 sq. ft. and with the new construction will be 6000 sq. ft.

Atop the new scoreboard will be a script Tigers logo that features motion lights that will move around the logo and have the ability to change colors at certain times; think National Anthems. The logo will also be 36 ft. tall as opposed to the old Tigers logo atop the scoreboard which should 22 ft.

The two 12-foot tigers that flanked the scoreboard are returning, but after having been refurbished from their time in the cement mixer that is Michigan weather. After being battered by the elements the two statues will be touched up and returned to their spots in left field. 

Bleacher creatures will appreciate that the entire scoreboard has been shifted upwards about 16 feet to allow for better sight lines for fans sitting in the bleacher seats that have been installed underneath the scoreboard. Also new is a pitch speed display that is twice as large as the previous; increasing from 5-feet-by-48 to 5-by-96.

The scoreboards and video boards along the baselines were not forgotten in the upgrade either, being replaced by LED boards that will be brighter and will allow for more impressive displays. In addition to all of the new scoreboards and video boards the Tigers will feature more in-depth stats on players at the plate, as a sort of glossary for fans.

The upgrade cost the Tigers millions, an exact figure is unavailable, but could bring in many new fans who want to see the updated stadium and take in the new amenities. Just one more reason why Opening Day 2012 will be exciting.