Writers described fire and smoke behind the outfield walls as a game went on. Even better, the homer cut the AL's deficit from 3-0 to 3-2, and helped the Junior Circuit earn a 6-4 win -- snapping the NL's eight-game winning streak in the Midsummer Classic. [59][60] This was also the first game on MLB's schedule that season, giving Evans the record for the earliest home run to start a season in terms of at bats. ORDER YOURS NOW! BATON ROUGE, La. The thing is I said " no big deal" yet they would let me leave with it they got another one from their very advanced warehouse. Gibson hits one out of Tiger Stadium Watch on 59,203 fans attended the game, the largest crowd ever to see a football game at the Corner. [44], On October 5, 1951, the University of Notre Dame played the University of Detroit at Briggs Stadium before a capacity crowd of 52,000. [61], There were over 30 home runs hit onto the right field roof over the years. Partially because of that incident, a pad was put in place on the flagpole. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. What do you get when you combine a block party and a baseball league? My sons at 10 and 8 thought I was a genious. Cecil Fielder was only Tiger to clear Tiger Stadiums left-field roof. Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA) It was the type of park that inspired such feats. At the end of its life, it had the shortest right-field and longest center-field distance in major-league baseball. He ordered a steel-and-concrete 23,000-seat ballpark that was built in an astonishing period of seven months after the end of the 1911 season. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. [46][47], When Ty Cobb played at Navin Field, the area of dirt in front of home plate was kept wet by the groundstaff to slow down Cobb's bunts and cause opposing infielders to slip as they fielded them. The old ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull in Detroits Corktown district was one of the games most unusual ballparks. The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. Proudly powered by WordPress | It just shows that, when you buy a ticket to a game, you just might witness a bit of history. Although never as well known as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, Tiger Stadium held an unique place in the hearts of Detroiters, who have now seemed to come to terms with the fact it will be torn down, probably in September 2008. [35][36][37] It originally had one before it was removed. (Thirteen years earlier, he was the only player ever to homer over the center-field bleachers, which consisted of one deck at the time.) It was Hunters first major league home run, and it was a doozy a deep fly to right center field that landed in the lower deck. By the time Detroit's Tiger Stadium bade farewell 87 years, it had witnessed 11,111 home runs, six World Series, three memorable All-Star games, NFL Championship games and championship boxing. Eric Chesterton Despite the fact The Corner wasnt being used much, the city of Detroit was on the hook for some $400,000 a year in maintenance. The final home run Fittingly, in the last game at The Corner, on September 27, 1999, it was a Tiger who launched the final homer at Tiger Stadium. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadiums right field roof four times in his career. But there was nothing anybody could do. It hosted the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team from 1912 to 1999, as well as the National Football League's Detroit Lions from 1938 to 1974. Fittingly, Ficks blast was the final hit of any kind at Tiger Stadium. For medical advice, always consult your medical doctor. It was part of a memorable summer as the city healed its wounds, got behind its baseball team ands flocked to the ballpark in record numbers. Theme: Envo Blog. Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. The Fighting Irish won, 406. In Game 6, a controversial play occurred when St. Louis Joe Medwick slid hard into third base and ended up in a fight with Detroit third baseman Marv Owen. [49], On May 2, 1939, ailing New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig voluntarily benched himself at Briggs Stadium, ending his streak of consecutive games at 2,130. No advertising or spamming is permitted. Detroit hit 40 more home runs than the year before, helped in part by a 20-year old rookie who hit 27 himself and posted a .340 BA to win the AL batting crown. New Tennessee Smokies ballpark. A World Series victory in 1984 didnt seem to help. [62], On September 27, 1999, the final Tigers game was held at Tiger Stadium; an 82 victory over the Kansas City Royals, capped by a late grand slam by Robert Fick, which hit the right field roof. Cecil Fielder takes a gingerly stroll on the roof of Tiger Stadium in 1993. Many seats were replaced. Wow! Only one current Tiger ever hit a home run at Tiger Stadium, and it was a memorable occasion. Mickey Mantle, 1960, 643 Feet. These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. I was at Tiger Stadium in May 1971 when Reggie Jackson hit the ball over the right field roof. Reggie Jackson's 1971 All-Star Game shot at Tiger Stadium would have travelled more than 600. Lou Gehrig said goodbye there. He was a regular at baseball games there for years. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. This would be hard to believe but I actually called the shot. Saturday, again on a national television hookup, Jackson cleared the roof with his 485th career homer to help the California Angels top the Tigers, 4-2. The seven-hour game is the second longest game in American League history. Hammerin Hank Greenberg probably hit more home runs to deep left-center field at Navin Field/Briggs Stadium than any other player. Bud Metheny Ballpark renovations (Old Dominion University) Harmon Killebrew had 2,086 hits over his career. [2] Gibson hit 95, and Gehringer hit 92. After the game, it was revealed Hughes had passed away from a heart attack. It was a relatively soft touch compared to left field, with a 325-foot (99m) foul line and with a roof that was in line with the front of the lower deck. The Lions abandoned it for the Pontiac Silverdome. I found it refreshing to be served by people who truly knew everything and who came across as glad i stopped in and only care about me getting the service beyond what i deserved. Buckeye Video 632 subscribers 5.2K 1M views 7 years ago Oakland A's vs. Detroit Tigers 8/25/90. In 1923, Navin increased capacity to 30,000. It was the 29th home run to clear the roof in right field. [7][2], When the park was expanded in 1936, a second deck was added over the right field pavilion and bleachers. In the 1971 All-Star Game, Reggie Jackson hit a ball off a transformer in deep right-center field that left the bat so fast that all TV could catch was its return trip to earth. I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. A post-game ceremony brought back just about famous ex-Tiger who was still alive for one last salute. AL West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers. Distance: 511 Feet. Enter your email address to subscribe to Ballpark Digest and receive notifications of new posts by email immediately when a new story is posted. Lynn worked with me to swap out to something similar excellent customer service. [26][27], When the stadium closed, it was tied with Fenway Park as the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, the two parks having opened on the same date in 1912. The ballparks history actually dated back to 17 years before its generally accepted debut. The team played as the Detroit Cougars in the United Soccer Association. Historians generally agree the longest home run hit in the ballpark was probably achieved by Detroit 1B Norm Cash, who ripped a shot over the center field scoreboard in a 1962 game that landed on the roof of a parked taxicab. The new owner gave the old ballpark one last shot, adding a plaza of souvenir and food stands in the old players parking lot. [42], The Lions played their final game at Tiger Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974 against the Denver Broncos. August Publications was formed in 2002 with the launch of Ballpark Digest. The Red Sox, though, quickly struck again. The movie was about the 1961 season when the Yankees Roger Maris broke Babe Ruths home run record. Ficks homer hit the roof in right and just missed going out of the stadium. In 1964, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had an idea he wanted to try. Tickets to the Hall of Fame banquet are available by contacting Jennifer Thunberg at Bay City Central at 989-891-0602, thunbergj@bcschools.net or in person from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through . The roof was 94 feet high and the left-field fence was 340 feet from home plate, making roof shots in that direction one of the most challenging feats in baseball during the years the Tigers called Tiger Stadium home. He frantically signaled to the sidelines to get help for Hughes. In 1968, his last at-bat came there when he struck out in Game 5 of the World Series. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. On July 9, 1965, Stormin' Norman hit an inside-the-park home run against the A's at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. One of them came n Thanksgiving Day in 1962 when they sacked Green Bays Bart Starr 10 times en route to a 26-14 win the lone Packer loss of the season. As part of this transfer, the green wooden seats were replaced with blue and orange plastic ones and the stadium's interior, which was green, was painted blue to match. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof.. In the decade after the Tigers vacated the stadium, several rejected redevelopment and preservation efforts finally gave way to demolition. Cecil Fielder watches his home run out of Tiger Stadium - YouTube We sat down with Cecil Fielder and had him take us through his iconic roof-clearing home run vs. the A's in 1991.. . On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. In 1984, Kirk Gibson launched a home run into the upper deck in right field in the 8th inning of Game Five of the World Series, sealing the title for the Tigers. His name? There were occasional amateur games played there, a 2002 fantasy camp and occasional special segments were taped there. Jackson dropped his bat and watched it sail, seemingly astonished of his own power. I had Ernie on the radio listening to the game. WebFont.load({ google: { families: ["Lato:900:latin", "Lato:300:latin", "Playfair+Display:700italic:latin", "Merriweather:700:latin", "Crete+Round::latin", "PT+Sans+Narrow:700:latin"] } }); Detroit Red Wings jerseys are back in stock! Frank Osborn founded Osborn Engineering in Cleveland in 1892. Babe Ruth (60), Ted Williams (55), Jimmie Foxx (52), Mickey Mantle (42), Yogi Berra (37), Yaz (36). Center field was even farther 467 feet. Left field was 345 feet away while right field was a monstrous 370 feet down the line. There's no way to say for sure whether Reggie Jackson's homer at the 1971 All-Star Game is the longest in the history of the Midsummer Classic -- the game is over 80 years old, after all, and data is incomplete.Here's what we do know, though: 46 years to the day after Jackson's blast, it remains the only baseball in All-Star Game history to nearly turn out the lights. Team owner George Vanderbeck constructed a 5,000-seat wooden facility, called Bennett Park, on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. But Jackson, trying hard to make fans . Depending who you talk to, the upper deck in right field was built to hang 5-10 feet over the warning track. (At age 89, Eldon Auker, a member of the 1934-35 AL champions, was the oldest returnee. In 1895, Detroit had a team in the Western League, an eight-team loop that eventually melded into the American League. However, in just about every case, it had been occurred due to a stadium conflict or for a special reason. There were very few concerts held over the years at The Corner. It hosted the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1912 to 1999, as well as the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) from 1938 to 1974. The unusual dimensions of the football field led to some odd happenings. For the film, computer-generated visual effects were used to make Tiger Stadium resemble Yankee Stadium in 1961. Purchased a New Era Gruff Michigan Syaye hat, and I absolutely love it. When baseball's biggest stars need a haircut, they come to Jos 'Jordan' Lpez, By Please let us know when you find out. Al Kaline.). Makes me even more envious of the fans in Boston whose ownership had the wisdom to preserve their historic ballpark. There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. Minute Maid Park upgrades On Rader's home run, the only other Mariner who remembers is Vada Pinson, who is a first-base coach for Seattle. Stopped by Wed morning 7/6 and had the pleasure of dealing directly with Lynne. He holds the record for longest home run in Cleveland Indians history at 511 feet, which he hit against the Kansas City Royals in 1999. It was my 1st game and we sat in the upper deck in left field. He was also adept at hitting the ball out down the left field line, a trait later adopted by Willie Horton and Lance Parrish. While with the Red Sox he hit one home run to dead center at the 488 foot marker. On June 27, 1963, he played an entire game at first base without a chance, as the Minnesota Twins won 10-6. It was the final Major League hit, home run, and RBI in Tiger Stadium's history. Purchased a New Era Gruff Michigan Syaye hat, and I absolutely love it. The stadiums demolition was completed on September 21, 2009, though the stadiums actual playing field remains at the corner where the stadium stood. 1965 2017: History of Inception and Planning", "The Detroit Lions' Last Game at Tiger Stadium", "Louis Proved to Be Clever Ring Master in Victory over Bob Pastor", "Remembering when the Titans played Notre Dame at Briggs Stadium", "DCFC-Glentoran match marks 50th anniversary of Detroit Cougars", "DCFC to host MSU at old Tiger Stadium site", "Babe Ruth birthday: He owned the Detroit Tigers", "July 18, 1921: Babe Ruth's 560-foot blast against Tigers sets career home run record", "This Day in Baseball: Lou Gehrig's historic run ended in Detroit", "Reggie Jackson's All-Star Game homer off the Tiger Stadium roof is still jaw-dropping", "Detroit Lions Player Dies After Collapsing on Field", "Football Thursday: Legacy of Chuck Hughes goes deeper than being only NFL player to die on field during a game", "Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 7, 1986", "Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox Opening Day: Remember What Happened in 1986? But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. [70] Anheuser-Busch promoted the event as Tiger Stadium's Last Call. [48], On July 18, 1921, Babe Ruth hit what is believed to be the longest verified home run in Major League Baseball history. http://www.courtsidetweets.comCarl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox has a magical night at Tiger Stadium versus the Detroit Tigers by hitting three home run. Development plans included a four-story building along Michigan Avenue with about 30,000 square feet (2,800m2) of retail space and 102 residential property rental units, each averaging 800 square feet (74m2). The people there are awesome and they clearly don't get much walk in business however they know their product while intending in only buying one jersey I walked out with much more! Privacy Policy The ball actually sailed right over the right field roof of the ballpark, which is mind-boggling to contemplate. Six years later, Cecil Fielder hit a moonshot over the left field roof on his way to 51 homers that season. [25] A new flagpole in the spirit of Tiger Stadium's pole was positioned in fair play at Comerica Park until the left field fence was moved in closer prior to the 2003 season. I will never forget it. Answerbag wants to provide a service to people looking for answers and a good conversation. A year later, a Tiger Stadium-record 230 home runs were smashed130 of them surrendered by an atrocious Detroit pitching staff that produced a 6.38 ERA, the worst in AL history. [53][54][55] Ted Williams won the 1941 game with a walk-off three-run home run. Ilitch began to make plans for a new ballpark downtown, breaking ground during the 1997 season. Some of Gibson's home runs were pretty darn big (including a couple in the World Series) but one of Gibson's most memorable home runs came in June of 1983 when he hit a moon shot that cleared the roof of Tiger Stadium. The first night game at the stadium was held on June 15, 1948. Location: Heritage Park. [7][15][16], In 1911, new Tigers owner Frank Navin ordered a new steel-and-concrete baseball park to be built on the same site that would seat 23,000 to accommodate the growing numbers of fans. The home run went to straightaway center field, clearing the stadium and landing into the street. In 1977, a fire wiped out the press box. [31][32][33], Tiger Stadium featured an upper and lower deck bleacher section that was separated from the rest of the stadium. PNC Park (Pirates) That pocket is the deepest part of the park at 410 feet, 11 feet farther than dead center. To the Sports Editor: The Times reported that Cecil Fielder became the first Detroit player to hit a home run over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium (''Fielder Belts Two as Tigers Rout A's, 14 . It was out of the park in a split second. Its unique dimensions allowed fans to get closer than usual to the ballgame. Fittingly, they lost to Denver, 31-27. Be respectful even if you disagree. Or the blast off Gibsons bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. Reggie Jackson wasn't supposed to play in the 1971 Major League . In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new ballpark built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. They checked it over and off I went. Matt Monagan It seemed like Rusty Staub hit more than his fair share of those, and Dave Bergman too. [79], The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation awarded the demolition contract on April 22, 2008, with the speculation that demolition revenue would come from the sale of scrap metal. I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. The hit itself was a gunshot, echoing back from center. Among the performers that day: Erma Franklin, older sister of Aretha Franklin. I will never forget this day. Comerica Park is NICE; Tiger Stadium was GREAT!!!! He was the only man to hit 4 home runs in one day in the history of Brigs/Tiger Stadium or Navin Field for that matter. Reggie Jackson's All-Star Game homer off the Tiger Stadium roof is still jaw-dropping By Chris Landers July 12, 2017 There's no way to say for sure whether Reggie Jackson's homer at the 1971 All-Star Game is the longest in the history of the Midsummer Classic -- the game is over 80 years old, after all, and data is incomplete.