Giant Tigers

Detroit, Michigan

According to sculptor Michael Keropian, his giant tiger statue outside the north gate entrance to Comerica Park -- home field of the Detroit Tigers baseball team -- is the largest in the western hemisphere; 15 feet high at the shoulder. Others, some up to 33 feet long, prowl on the stadium roof and scoreboard, while still others are pseudo-gargoyles: disembodied heads with fanged mouths holding baseballs that light up at night.

Keropian created the tigers in 1999. They were installed in time for Comerica Park's home opener in early April 2000.

The giant tigers have steel skeletons and a plaster skin covered in hard urethane and polyester resin, lightly sandblasted to make them look like stone. The eyes of the tiger on the scoreboard light up whenever the home team hits a home run. The big tiger out front raises one mighty paw in a sort-of-friendly greeting, yet strikes fear in opposing teams with its fearsome snarl.

The giant tigers were built off-site and were so big, according to Keropian, that they had to be trucked to downtown Detroit on "very well planned routes" to avoid eviscerating any innocent utility poles or low bridges.