Yesterday and Today: Herbie Redmond

This is the latest installment in our photo series depicting baseball's stars of yesteryear on the site of present-day Navin Field, site of Detroit's historic Tiger Stadium (1912-2009).

Photoshop by Nick Yim. Current photo and concept by Tom Derry.

He swept us off our feet
Tiger Stadium's colorful groundskeeper Herbie Redmond is the patron saint of the Navin Field Grounds Crew.

By Tom Derry

One of the most beloved figures in Tigers history was groundskeeper Herbie Redmond.

Herbie joined the grounds crew in 1969, and was a fixture at Tiger Stadium for the next 20 years. 

Even when the Tigers were losing, the fans could always count on Herbie for entertainment.

While sweeping the infield during the fifth inning, he would always break into the "Herbie Shuffle," dancing and waving to the crowd while dragging his broom. 

The dancing began one night when Herbie was celebrating a Jim Northrup home run. When Tigers management called Herbie into the office after the game, he was afraid he was in big trouble. 

But instead of reprimanding him, the Tigers told him to keep it up. 

    And so he did.

Herbie Redmond passed away on Opening Day in 1990, but we'll never forget the joy he brought us for all those wonderful years at The Corner.  

For a little taste of the ol' Herbie Shuffle, just press play: