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The Hot Dog Brand Encyclopedia · Entry 8 of 8

Ball Park

Since 1957

Born at the ball park

Ball Park franks were born at a Detroit Tigers game. In 1957 Hygrade became the stadium's hot dog supplier, fans wanted to take the taste home, and within a decade the brand was national.

Briggs Stadium in Detroit (later Tiger Stadium), where Ball Park franks began. Vintage postcard.
Briggs Stadium in Detroit (later Tiger Stadium), where Ball Park franks began. Vintage postcard. Photo: Boston Public Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

History

  1. 1957Hygrade Food Products becomes the sole hot dog supplier for the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium.1
  2. 1959Named Ball Park franks after a weekend brainstorming session, they reach Detroit grocery stores.1
  3. 1960sGoes national behind the tagline "Plump when you cook 'em."1
  4. 1989Sara Lee acquires Hygrade.2
  5. 2014Tyson Foods acquires Hillshire Brands (formerly Sara Lee), and with it Ball Park.2

For cart owners

Ball Park is a familiar grocery-store name, so customers know what they're getting.

Sources

  1. Ball Park: Our Story checked 2026-10-23
  2. Wikipedia: Ball Park Franks checked 2026-10-23