Memories tumble down
Demolition crews smashed the historic walls of Tiger Stadium on Wednesday, punching through to the interior of the ballpark that stood for decades.
Outfield walls cleared by baseball legend Mickey Mantle as well as Detroit Tiger sluggers Norm Cash and Cecil Fielder began to come down as contractors intensified their efforts to bring down the venerable park.
Backhoes and excavators, sometimes hard to see through dust and spraying water, whizzed around the site, picking up debris and dumping it in oversized bins. During one flurry, an excavator smashed through the exterior wall beyond left field, throwing support girders to the side.
The scene was tough to take for longtime Tigers fan Chas Matreal and his 23-year-old son, Ryan.
“All beautiful memories,” Chas Matreal said. “It is something beautiful that we’re destroying, and it’s history.
“It’s a natural museum of a hundred years that they’re destroying.”
Twins lose triple play
The Minnesota Twins lost a triple play – and their manager – after umpires changed a call during Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
When Jason Varitek’s sinking liner dropped in front of sliding center fielder Denard Span, the umpires originally ruled that he made the catch. Span threw to second to double off Sean Casey, then second baseman Alexi Casilla threw to third to get Mike Lowell, who had already crossed the plate.
While the umpires conferred, official scorer Mike Petraglia announced that the play was an 8-4-5 triple play, “for now.” The call was reversed – correctly, replays confirmed – and irate Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came out of the dugout for an argument that led to a quick ejection.
Jenks lands on DL
The Chicago White Sox placed closer Bobby Jenks on the 15-day disabled list and purchased right-hander D.J. Carrasco’s contract from Triple-A Charlotte.
Jenks, formerly of Spirit Lake, has bursitis near his left (non-pitching) shoulder. The move is retroactive to June 30.
The 27-year-old Jenks is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA for the A.L. Central leaders and ranks ninth among A.L. relievers with 18 saves.