Adrian in Lenawee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frank Navin & The Detroit Tigers

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

1. Frank Navin & The Detroit Tigers Marker

Inscription.

Frank Navin and The Detroit Tigers. . , Frank Navin was the most famous Adrian native involved in professional baseball in his day. Born in Adrian in 1871, Navin went to Detroit in 1889, where he worked as a bookkeeper. He eventually became the right-hand man to Sanuel F. Angus, the first owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball club (1901-1903). By 1903, Angus wanted out of the Tigers organization. At Navin's urging, a 28-year-old wealthy lumber heir named Bill Yawkey agreed to purchase the club, as long as Navin would represent his interests. Navin's signings of Ty Cobb and Hughie Jennings were instrumental in the development of the Tigers' American League championship teams of 1907-1909. , , By 1908, Navin bought Yawkey's majority of the club, giving himself principle ownership of the Detroit Tigers. In 1912, Navin built a new ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, called Navin Field (later renamed Briggs Stadium and then Tiger Stadium). Frank Navin would own the Detroit Tigers until his death in November of 1935 , six weeks after the Tigers won their first World Series championship. , , The most famous baseball game played in Adrian occurred on October 11, 1923, at Franklin Park. The day after they finished their regular season, the Detroit Tigers came to Adrian to play a game against a local team, the Adrian Independents. A large reason for this exhibition game was due to the Tigers' longtime owner, Frank Navin, being an Adrian native. In anticipation of the game, Adrian mayor, Herbert Clark, suggested that the town's factories be closed early that day so anyone who wanted to attend the game would be able to do so. The Tigers expectedly won 17-3. After the game, a grand dinner was held at the old Lenawee Hotel (northeast corner of Maumee and Winter) for the Tigers and their fans. Everyone had so much fun that another game was scheduled for 1924. In that game the Tigers played a different team, the Adrian All-Stars. Led by the legendary Ty Cobb, the Tigers won 17-2. , , "Investing in your neighborhood, one transaction at a time. After all we're better together." , Your Friends from First Federal Bank

Frank Navin was the most famous Adrian native involved in professional baseball in his day. Born in Adrian in 1871, Navin went to Detroit in 1889, where he worked as a bookkeeper. He eventually became the right-hand man to Sanuel F. Angus, the first owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball club (1901-1903). By 1903, Angus wanted out of the Tigers organization. At Navin's urging, a 28-year-old wealthy lumber heir named Bill Yawkey agreed to purchase the club, as long as Navin would represent his interests. Navin's signings of Ty Cobb and Hughie Jennings were instrumental in the development of the Tigers' American League championship teams of 1907-1909.

By 1908, Navin bought Yawkey's majority of the club, giving himself principle ownership of the Detroit Tigers. In 1912, Navin built a new ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, called Navin Field (later renamed Briggs Stadium and then Tiger Stadium). Frank Navin would own the Detroit Tigers until his death in November of 1935 — six weeks after the Tigers won their first World Series championship.

The most famous baseball game played in Adrian occurred on October 11, 1923, at Franklin Park. The day after they finished their regular season, the Detroit Tigers came to Adrian to play a game against a local team, the Adrian Independents. A large reason

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for this exhibition game was due to the Tigers' longtime owner, Frank Navin, being an Adrian native. In anticipation of the game, Adrian mayor, Herbert Clark, suggested that the town's factories be closed early that day so anyone who wanted to attend the game would be able to do so. The Tigers expectedly won 17-3. After the game, a grand dinner was held at the old Lenawee Hotel (northeast corner of Maumee and Winter) for the Tigers and their fans. Everyone had so much fun that another game was scheduled for 1924. In that game the Tigers played a different team, the Adrian All-Stars. Led by the legendary Ty Cobb, the Tigers won 17-2.

"Investing in your neighborhood, one transaction at a time. After all we're better together." — Your Friends from First Federal Bank

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is October 11, 1923.

Location. 41° 53.877′ N, 84° 2.23′ W. Marker is in Adrian, Michigan, in Lenawee County. Marker is on South Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is about 165 feet north of Church Street (Business U.S. Highway 223). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 South Main Street, Adrian MI 49221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Antislavery - Underground Railroad Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Laura Smith Haviland

Upper Panel Upper Right Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

2. Upper Panel Upper Right Image

Frank Navin was considered one of the most influential men in baseball during his era. He was the principal owner of the Detroit Tigers from 1908-1935, and also served as vice president and acting president of the American League. Known as "Old Poker Face," Navin held his emotions and his checkbook very close to the vest. Navin developed a reputation as a penny-pincher, which was not surprising given he was trained as an accountant.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Laura Haviland (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bench By The Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Adrian Fire Department / Adrian Engine House No. 1 (about 400 feet away); Cooley Law Office (about 400 feet away); Adrian & The Republican Party (about 400 feet away); Adrian's Prominent Leaders (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Adrian.

Also see . . . Frank Navin. Article on the Society for American Baseball Research website. (Submitted on June 21, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Upper Panel Lower Left Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

3. Upper Panel Lower Left Image

The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. The Tigers won four games to two, clinching their first championship in franchise history.

Upper Panel Lower Right Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

4. Upper Panel Lower Right Image

Navin Field was located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, MI. It served as the home of he Detroit Tigers from 1912-1999, as well as the Detroit Lions from 1938-1974. Later known as Briggs Stadium (1938-1960) and then Tiger Stadium (1961-1999), this iconic ballpark was famously nicknamed "The Corner," for its location at the intersection of Michgan and Trumbull avenues.

Lower Panel Left Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

5. Lower Panel Left Image

Detroit Tigers owner, Frank Navin, and legendary player, Ty Cobb, are photographed as the "genius in spikes" signs his contract for the 1920 season.

Lower Panel Center Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

6. Lower Panel Center Image

Franklin Park was located just east of the Wabash Railroad tracks on the north side of East Maumee (at approximately 1607 E. Maumee). The park was built in 1909, razed in 1917, rebuilt in 1922, and torn down again in 1928.

Lower Panel Right Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

7. Lower Panel Right Image

Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 8, 2017

8. Frank Navin & The Detroit Tigers Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 21, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.