Home to the Stars

Just off Joseph Campau Street, just before you past under the Grand Trunk Western railroad, at the edge of Hamtramck's Veterans Memorial Park, sits an old rusting grandstand.  The non-descript structure sits fenced in among the weeds and overgrown trees as Dan Street curves to avoid crossing the railroad.  It appears like just another poorly maintained urban ball field.

But from 1930-1933, this was the home to Detroit's entry into the National Negro League: the Detroit Stars.  It was built by John Roesink to replace Mack stadium which burned to the ground after a fire started to dry the infield spread to the main grandstand, injuring hundreds of fans.

A racially tolerant Hamtramck Polish community and a street car connection to Hasting Street's "Black Bottom", the heart of Detroit's Black community, instantly gave the Detroit Stars a new home. Ty Cobb threw out the first pitch at Roesick Stadium, when it opened in 1930.  Babe Ruth is said to have always paid a visit when in town.  It was also home to Detroit's first night baseball game (18 years before the Detroit Tiger's Briggs Stadium) when the legendary K.C. Monarchs paid a visit on June 28, 1930. 

But its life was short lived.  Completed just as the Great Depression began, the team, the Owner and the League would end up bankrupt by 1933.

Walking among the bleachers I can image the roar of the crowd on a Turkey Stern base hit, the shouts of a peanut vendor and the PA announcer reading off the starting lineup.

Walking the adjacent grass field one can find hints of the old pitcher's mound.  Standing on the high ground, I can imagine Satchel Paige throwing one of his trademark "bee balls" (because it would "be where I want it to be.") or Josh Gibson calling for a high and tight fastball or Cool Papa Bell racing around the bases stretching a double to a triple.

Walking along the concrete back to my car, I can hear the sound of player cleats clicking their way  to the locker rooms.  I imagine which boarded up doorway led to the player's showers.

It seems appropriate that in July of 2012, the field was finally designated an historic site.  I hope improvements follow.  Improvements that make clear Roesick Stadium's nearly forgotten history.