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. The Fighting Irish won, 406. Although that game was never televised, Tiger Stadium remained a part of the opening for the series for many years long after the Lions had moved to the Pontiac Silverdome. 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. It was out of the park in a split second. The city used the proceeds to defray the demolition costs. Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the campus of Louisiana State University. Along the way it served as scenes for movies as well as a plethora of public events ranging from a KISS concert to a speech by Nelson Mandela. Center field was even farther 467 feet. Jim Thome. Some managers felt a line should be drawn on the pole and that any ball hit above the line would be a home run. Shortly thereafter, the city of Detroit bought the park from the team for $1. The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. The right field overhang frustrated many outfielders who were camped under a routine flyball only to see it land in the first row upstairs. 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 . [62][64][65] Following the game, an emotional ceremony with past and present Tigers greats was held to mark the occasion. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In the 1970s, Ken Berry, an excellent flychaser, forgot about this one day and ran flush into the pole while chasing a shot by Detroit OF Willie Horton. [64][66], On July 24, 2001, the day Detroit celebrated its 300th birthday, a Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League game between the Motor City Marauders and the Lake Erie Monarchs was played at Tiger Stadium. That stadium was called Bennett Park and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield. [63], Tiger Stadium saw exactly 11,111 Major League home runs. Another outfield oddity was a ledge that fielders used to jump onto to try to snare balls headed for the seats. The crazy thing is we missed the home run for a hot pretzel. 1. A few players, very few, hit home runs into the bleachers in straightaway center field, an incredible 440 feet away. In 1945, Hank Greenberg belted a grand slam late in the season that not only won the game for Detroit, but clinched the pennant. I remember he stepped out of the box several times because someone in the bleacher seats was shinning a mirror into his eyes.He made the Tigers fans pay for that ! PNC Park Willie Horton hit a home run at Tiger Stadium when he was 16 years old during an all-city high school game. Future Legends Sports Complex (Northern Colorado Owlz) I highly recommend if you live within a 30 minute drive of this place and you are looking for authentic NBA NFL and MB items stop in and see them they also have a lot of very rare items which will make you stand out. On September 27, 1999, the final Tigers game was held at Tiger Stadium; an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, capped by a late grand slam by Robert Fick, which hit the right field roof. Thanks! In the fourth inning, with Alan Trammell on first base and two out, Fielder powered a 3-1 fastball from righthander Dave Stewart toward the roof in left. Back to top. It is the only on-field death in the history of the league. 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. Tiger Stadium was sold to the city of Detroit on January 1, 1978 for $1.00 and leased back for 30 years. [53][54][55] Ted Williams won the 1941 game with a walk-off three-run home run. Hence, for many years, everybody but the citizens of Detroit watched the annual Thanksgiving Day game.) [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. Among major league parks whose construction predated the advent of night games, only Wrigley Field went longer without lights (1988). My whole family was there. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Jackson crushed an outside fastball that eventually rang off of a transformer at the top of the stadium. [74][75] By 2006, however, demolition appeared inevitable when then-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced the stadium would be razed. But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. The ball actually sailed right over the right field roof of the ballpark, which is mind-boggling to contemplate. [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 unusual dimensions of the football field led to some odd happenings. Trammell hit 97 homers at Tiger Stadium, good for 11th all-time. Reggie Jackson became a national figure due to a famous home run in an All-Star Game. Park Dimensions: The dimensions of the park (in feet) including left, right and center field distance to each wall. The following inning, Dick Wakefield sent a Ferriss pitch over the wall for a solo home run, his third homer of the season. 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. One of those occurred on June 24, 1962. Detroit reliever Terry Fox threw eight scoreless innings of relief. [56], Toward the end of the Lions' game against the Chicago Bears at the stadium on October 24, 1971, Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes collapsed and later died of a heart attack, making Hughes the only NFL player to date who died during a game. Due to the progression of the disease named after him, it was the final game of his career. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. I saw Cecil hit #50 at Yankee Stadium unfortunately, I misssed seeing #51 because my date was not so much of a baseball fan, early October games get cold, etc. And on September 27, 1999, with flashbulbs popping, Robert Fick hit the final home run at The Corner, a grand slam in the last game at Tiger Stadium. 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. Here are the longest home runs in the Home Run Derby, during the StatCast era, away from Coors Field. All in all, however, the ballpark had a helluva good run. briggs stadium, detroit, detroit tigers, michigan, mlb, national league, navin field, tiger stadium. In the 17 years afterwards (before moving to Pontiac), they had few memorable days at Tiger Stadium. He hit his first home run of the 1961 season there. Seven of the Tigers' eight runs came off home runs. When Ford Field hosted the 2006 Super Bowl, a tent on Tiger Stadiums field played host to the Bud Bowl, an event that featured (among other things), a performance by Snoop Dogg. This never happened. In 1964, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had an idea he wanted to try. , Where to live in New York if you've just come into $324 million. The new owner gave the old ballpark one last shot, adding a plaza of souvenir and food stands in the old players parking lot. When was the last Tigers game at Tiger Stadium? Since that time the company has grown from a single employee working out of a home to a diversified publishing firm featuring Websites, books and other merchandise. In 2018, the site was redeveloped for youth sports. He installed an area in the lower deck (between first and third base) that had padded seats and added waitservice. It would be 16 innings before either team scored again. Lynn worked with me to swap out to something similar excellent customer service. When did the Detroit Tigers Stadium get demolished? That stadium was called Bennett Park and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield. The benches for both the Lions and their opponents were on the outfield side of the field. 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. Chronicling the Business and Culture of Baseball Ballparks--MLB, MiLB, College, Tiger Stadium / Detroit Tigers / 1912-1999, Voting now open in 2023 Best of the Ballparks fan vote for Cactus League, Voting now open in 2023 Best of the Ballparks fans vote for Grapefruit League, MLB ramps up production team for local baseball broadcasts, Personnel news: MLB, Wisconsin Rapids, Holly Springs, Voting now open in 2023 Best of the Ballparkscollege ballparks competition, West Michigan Whitecaps food fight down to final three, Doak Field at Dail Park upgrades (NC Wolfpack), Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA), Future Legends Sports Complex (Northern Colorado Owlz), Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) updates, LMCU Ballpark (West Michigan Whitecaps) upgrades, Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects), Bud Metheny Ballpark renovations (Old Dominion University), Innovative Field (Rochester Red Wings) upgrades. (Cerdan claimed he dislocated his shoulder in the first round.) No one hit more homers in Tiger Stadium than Al Kaline, who belted 212 there, while hitting 187 on the road. 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. The bleachers had their own entrance, concession stands and restrooms. Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. Sure, Tiger Stadium was a famously hitter-friendly ballpark, especially for lefties. [2][23], Tiger Stadium had a 125-foot (38 m) tall flagpole in fair play, to the left of dead center field near the 440-foot (134 m) mark. Excited to work with Vintage Detroit on future orders. [2][19] Plans to modify and maintain Tiger Stadium as the home of the Tigers, known as the Cochrane Plan, were supported by many in the community, but were never seriously considered by the city or the Tigers. A short while later I left with a new cap and a custom Fidrych T-shirt. [54][55] Of the many home runs in those games, the most often replayed is Reggie Jackson's drive to right field that hit so high up in the light tower that the TV camera lost sight of it, until it dropped to the field below. I bet that was a great experience, seeing Killebrews home run. There were moments of joy to behold down the stretch. Purchased a New Era Gruff Michigan Syaye hat, and I absolutely love it. . The team began a downward spiral on and off the field. Have Your Own Jersey? Denny McLain achieved one of the games rarest feats at the place they called The Corner. There was a huge outcry from traditionalists that the ballpark needed be saved as a historical monument (it had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989). This did not include wildcat seats that were built on the rooftops on houses located behind the left-field fence. Michael Clair Ironically, the visitors that day were the Minnesota Vikings, who rolled to an easy victory. July 11, 2018. In 1923, Navin increased capacity to 30,000. called the stadium home in the late 1960s. Among the performers that day: Erma Franklin, older sister of Aretha Franklin. [92] It was also seen in Renaissance Man and Hardball. For the film, computer-generated visual effects were used to make Tiger Stadium resemble Yankee Stadium in 1961. The Tigers' Kirk Gibson hit a home run onto the street in 1983 but it was less than 600 feet. [51][52], The stadium hosted the 1941, 1951 and 1971 MLB All-Star Games. , Competition, joy and a little pain: Beep Baseball is a world of freedom for blind athletes, By Coincidentally, Fielders counterpart at first base that day was Mark McGwire, who had hit his very first major league tater exactly four years earlier. My sons were small and I was trying to teach them the strategy of the game (since I was also their coach). A short while later I left with a new cap and a custom Fidrych T-shirt. Source: wikimedia.org. 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. [71][72] It was also shown at the inaugural National Baseball Hall of Fame Film Festival in November 2006. Since Detroit was driving for a score late in the game, some assumed Hughes was simply trying to stop the clock. Dont forget about Frank Howard. 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. 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. Jim Thome has to be in there for homeruns to it seemed like every time I was at a game he hit one to right field. With regular first baseman Dan Meyer batting .192 with only two RBIs, the Tigers gave the job to Thompson early into the 1976 season. All rights reserved. Rogers Centre renovations If in doubt, leave it out. This is not a replacement for the newsletter, but rather a real-time notification system! 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? (The Cubs claimed their last World Series title there in 1908.) On June 27, 1963, he played an entire game at first base without a chance, as the Minnesota Twins won 10-6. What a game. Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA) Jackson dropped his bat and watched it sail, seemingly astonished of his own power. Cecil was on 49, and I veered my car onto the exit to downtown Detroit and snatched up a ticket. [62] In his career, Norm Cash hit four home runs over the Tiger Stadium roof in right field and is the all-time leader. Robinson flung his glove into the stands in disgust. Frank Lary, who had made a career out of beating the Yankees (he was 29-6 lifetime against them from 1955-63), was the Detroit starter. Fifty years ago Tuesday, July 13, 1971, a sellout crowd of 53,559 watched from Tiger Stadium's then-green seats and another 60-million plus watched and listened from around the world as. Lynne asked what I was interested in and presented me with a great selection of Tigers caps and T-shirts. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. Cecil Fielder was only Tiger to clear Tiger Stadiums left-field roof. (At age 89, Eldon Auker, a member of the 1934-35 AL champions, was the oldest returnee. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. Fetzer sold the team to a pizza magnate, Tom Monaghan. [2] Spotlights were added above the warning track to illuminate the area beneath the overhang. [31][32][33], Tiger Stadium featured an upper and lower deck bleacher section that was separated from the rest of the stadium. Shipping Service Bullying, racism, personal attacks, harassment, or discrimination is prohibited. In his first professional season, 1975, he batted .324 with 10 home runs and 38 runs batted in for the Southern League's Montgomery Rebels. What do you get when you combine a block party and a baseball league? Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! 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. (The next year, a screen was placed on top of the fence. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. ", "Home run facts from The Corner in Detroit", "September 27, 1999: Tears and cheers: Tiger Stadium hosts final game", "Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers Box Score, September 27, 1999", "Closing ceremony brought a lineup of stars back to Tiger Stadium", "The Unknown Kid Who Hit the Real Last Home Run at Tiger Stadium", "Tiger Stadium rises from the ashes for Bud Bowl 2006", "A six-pack to go at Tiger Stadium's hallowed ground", "Detroit Should Sell Tiger Stadium As Is Summer of Privatization", "The Navin Field Grounds Crew: Detroit Diehards Stand on Sacred Grounds", "Detroit EDC OKs plan to tear down Tiger Stadium", "Council OKs Detroit ballpark's demolition", "NEW! I was there the day Fielder hit the over-the-roof shot. [14], In 2018, the Corner Ballpark opened at the site. I,my son and two friends were sitting on the first base side in the upper deck when he hit that one, it went up so high I thought it wasnt coming down until it disappeared over the edge of the roof, Jose Cansenco hit on into center field at the flag pole that game too. FAQ. the Yankees won that day, 22-2 the worst loss the Tigers ever suffered at home.). Initially, a dual stadium complex was planned that included a moving roof that was later scrapped due to high costs and the lack of a commitment from the Tigers. This would be hard to believe but I actually called the shot. Tettleton, who cleared the stadium roof Friday night against the Angels, did it again in the . Several years later, the country watched another memorable Thanksgiving Day game played in a blizzard that covered the field by halftime. Dan: Great column. Al Kaline takes aim at the seats in Tiger Stadium in the late 1950s. For medical advice, always consult your medical doctor. 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. Hammerin Hank Greenberg probably hit more home runs to deep left-center field at Navin Field/Briggs Stadium than any other player. In 1961, John Fetzer bought the team and renamed its home Tiger Stadium. Although few improvements were made to the ballpark over the years, it was still considered a showcase of baseball with a flair for memorable games. The city received a $5 million federal grant and issued $8.5 million in bonds to pay for renovations, including replacement of the old green wooden seats with blue plastic seats. Have Your Own Jersey? In 1949, he defeated Marcel Cerdan, winning on a knockout in the tenth round to win the World Middleweight crown. Baseball commissioner Judge Landis ordered Medwick off the field for his own safety. Thanks, J.D. To fit as many seats as possible in the expansion, the second deck was extended over the fence by 10 feet (3 m). Paul was great to work with and offered to delay shipping when I told him I would be on vacation on the original delivery date. Tiger Stadium was designed by the father and son team of Frank C. Osborn and Kenneth H. Osborn. [14], In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new ballpark built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. [2] [41][43], In 1939, boxer Joe Louis defended his world heavyweight title with an eleventh-round knockout of Bob Pastor at the stadium. The Tigers. [53] The ball was also carrying well in the 1951 and 1971 games. Please seek professional guidance. Yankee Stadium is listed in the credits at the end of the film as being played by Tiger Stadium. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadium's right field roof four times in his career. He hit some long HRs at Tiger Stadium. One of his home runs in Yankee Stadium landed a dozen rows of seats from the scoreboard in right center field. The most notable one easily was a KISS concert held on June 28, 1996. Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) updates Kirk Gibson famously hit a ball over the right field roof that landed in the lumber yard across the street, traveling a distance of more than 500 feet. As part of the transfer, the city gave the place a major paint job, changing the interior from green to blue. Excited to work with Vintage Detroit on future orders. But Jackson, trying hard to make fans . Harmon Killebrew had 573 home runs over his career. On April 15, 1999, Torii Hunter hit a home run off Brian Moehler at Tiger Stadium while playing for the Minnesota Twins. Doak Field at Dail Park upgrades (NC Wolfpack) Tiger Stadium was sold to the city of Detroit on January 1, 1978 for $1.00 and leased back for 30 years. But on August 25, 1990, during a Saturday game against Oakland, Tigers first baseman Cecil Fielder joined the exclusive circle of sluggers. It was the 29th home run to clear the roof in right field. In 1968, his last at-bat came there when he struck out in Game 5 of the World Series. No advertising or spamming is permitted. FAQ. Ruth hit 60 homers there, the most by any visiting ballplayer. By the way, where did TRAM rank for the amount of HRs he hit during his career with the Tigers when they played at Tigers Stadium for going yard? Stopped by Wed morning 7/6 and had the pleasure of dealing directly with Lynne. Lou Gehrig said goodbye there. [70] Anheuser-Busch promoted the event as Tiger Stadium's Last Call. 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. It bounced twice before plopping over the edge and onto the street. He only fought once at Briggs Stadium, defeating Bob Pastor on September 20, 1939. (Rumor was this came at the behest of the teams first star, Ty Cobb.) Teams had to stand on the same sideline in right field. 23, hit a 435-foot blast into the lower deck in right field to lead off the . [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. The team played as the Detroit Cougars in the United Soccer Association. Many legends hit homers at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, from Ty Cobb to The Babe to Joe DiMaggio to Hank Aaron to Ken Griffey Jr. On November 28, 1974, the Lions played their last game at Tiger Stadium. Hank Greenberg and Willie Horton might also qualify as long time Tigers. [7][2] Taking predecessor Bennett Park into account, Tiger Stadium was the oldest Major League Baseball site in use in 1999. Its first day was overshadowed by the news the Titanic hit an iceberg and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. [2], By the early 1990s, both the city and Tigers ownership wanted a new park, but many campaigned to save the old stadium. Cecil Fielder clears left field roof at Tiger Stadium. Norm Cash hit the most Homeruns over the Stadium. [73], There were many proposals to redevelop the site. Cecil Fielder was the third player,. All three games featured home runs. I had a chance to see a few games at Fenway, and while it is great, Tiger Stadium was more historic. the Nearest to me was Vintage. Through snow flurries and a first-pitch temperature of 32 degrees at Comerica Park, Cabrera stepped to the plate in the first inning and ripped an opposite field home run just inches over the yellow line in right field to give the Tigers a quick 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Indians (scroll for video below). But #50 was a rocket into the upper deck. Big Frank Howard loved to hit there, as did Killebrew and Reggie and Ken Griffey Jr. It was said the lights at the ballpark were so bright that it could light up a city of 10,000 people. [95][96], During the last days in which part of Tiger Stadium was still standing, scenes for the film Kill the Irishman, which were used to depict Cleveland Stadium, were shot at the stadium. Most spectacular was Cash's performance in the doubleheader that June Sunday 60 years ago. AL West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers. Innovative Field (Rochester Red Wings) upgrades I was a little concerned it would let look as good as I hoped, but when I put it on, I loved it. A 125-foot flagpole stood just to the left of the 440-foot sign in dead center field. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. New Richmond Flying Squirrels ballpark I put the location into google maps off I went. Or the blast off Gibsons bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. In left field, it was 15 feet (4.6m) farther down the line, and the roof was set back some distance. 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. Navin bought up the rest of the city block of Michigan and Trumbull, stationed a flagpole inside the field of play, moved home plate in a different direction (so that the batter would not be looking into the sun) and opened for business on April 20, 1912, the same day Fenway Park in Boston debuted. It just shows that, when you buy a ticket to a game, you just might witness a bit of history. The 1999 Tigers finished with a 69-92 record, but it felt like the stands were always full. Mantle is generally credited with the longest home run of all time, a clout that left Tiger Stadium on Sept. 10, 1960, and landed in a lumberyard across the street. Bud Metheny Ballpark renovations (Old Dominion University) The only major changes during the latter decades were the closure of the "skybox" suites that perched on the front edge of the roof, and (in 1978) the replacement of the old dark green .