The 1999 Tigers finished with a 69-92 record, but it felt like the stands were always full. I put the location into google maps off I went. (When the credits rolled at the end of the movie, it is duly listed that the role of Yankee Stadium was played by Tiger Stadium.). He has four other children and four grandchildren. In 1945, Hank Greenberg belted a grand slam late in the season that not only won the game for Detroit, but clinched the pennant. To make the park appear like Yankee Stadium, the parks seats were painted green and a skyline of the Bronx was added. 10 Longest Home Runs in MLB History - Largest.org Mickey Mantle: On September 10, 1960, the Yankee slugger hit a home run out of Tiger Stadium against Frank Lary. That ball is measured at 634 . Thanks! [2], By the early 1990s, both the city and Tigers ownership wanted a new park, but many campaigned to save the old stadium. The stadium was nicknamed "The Corner" for its location at the intersection of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. 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. [93][94], In the summer of 2000, the HBO movie 61* was filmed at Tiger Stadium. Tiger Stadium blast part of legacy that leads Jason LeCronier - mlive Through 1990, only two players had cleared the roof in left. They stayed at the ballpark until 1974 when they left to play in the 76,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome. Fittingly, they lost to Denver, 31-27. In 1949, he defeated Marcel Cerdan, winning on a knockout in the tenth round to win the World Middleweight crown. It was declared a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1975 and has been listed on the National Register of . At the end of its life, it had the shortest right-field and longest center-field distance in major-league baseball. 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. Only one current Tiger ever hit a home run at Tiger Stadium, and it was a memorable occasion. The final act came on September 27, 1999. , Competition, joy and a little pain: Beep Baseball is a world of freedom for blind athletes, By Such was life at The Corner.). If you want a new roof on Tiger Stadium it will have to built from scratch. Detroit's Police Athletic League (PAL) headquarters would relocate to the site and maintain the field. His name? 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. It was the type of park that inspired such feats. All three games featured home runs. Location: Heritage Park. (In those days, home games were blacked out 75 miles from the site of competition. The seven-hour game is the second longest game in American League history. Mantle Clubbed Baseball's Longest Homer - UPI Archives norm cash home run out of tiger stadium. Would a roof on Tiger Stadium keep butts in seats? | Tiger Rant 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. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. He did it on national television in a mid-September game against Oakland that was won with a dramatic two-run rally in the last of the ninth inning. [7][2], When the park was expanded in 1936, a second deck was added over the right field pavilion and bleachers. [39][40] The football field ran mostly in the outfield from the right field line to left center field parallel with the third base line. The distance of the home run has been estimated at up to 575 feet (175m). The 1990 season was Fielders first in Detroit after wearing a Toronto uniform for four seasons and then playing in Japan. That year, Big Daddy captured the countrys attention with an eye-popping 51 home runs and 132 RBI, both best in the majors. George Brett loved the park, and in his final game at Tiger Stadium in an afternoon tilt in 1993, he hit two homers, one to right and one to left (I was there!). [88][89][90] Construction of the project began in June 2016. About Us [71] Funded by local businessman and ardent stadium supporter Peter Comstock Riley, and directed by Gary Glaser, it earned solid reviews and won three Telly awards and two Emmy awards for the film's writer and co-producer, Richard Bak, a local journalist and the author of two books about the stadium. To Ilitchs credit, he paid for several renovations that kept the park looking reasonable in its final years. Ilitch began to make plans for a new ballpark downtown, breaking ground during the 1997 season. Lynne asked what I was interested in and presented me with a great selection of Tigers caps and T-shirts. [42], The Lions played their final game at Tiger Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974 against the Denver Broncos. Because owner Walter Briggs believed baseball should be played in the daytime, the Tigers were the last team in the American League to install lights, putting in the arcs in 1948. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof. On August 25, 1986, McGwire had lined a Walt Terrell pitch into the centerfield bleachers at Tiger Stadium, the first of 583 round-trippers the controversial slugger would wind up hitting in his career. It was said the lights at the ballpark were so bright that it could light up a city of 10,000 people. Six years later, Cecil Fielder hit a moonshot over the left field roof on his way to 51 homers that season. Ernie Harwell and Al Kaline both dubbed it the hardest-hit ball they'd ever seen, and even Jackson himself agreed: "I think this would have to be the longest one I've ever hit," he said afterward. Or the blast off Gibsons bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. Tiger Stadium - history, photos and more of the Detroit Tigers former Navin Field opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park. 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. Unlike some teams that played in baseball parks, the Lions made no attempt to cover the infield. [2] In 2018, the site was redeveloped for youth sports. The HBO movie 61* was filmed there. [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. Fittingly, Ficks blast was the final hit of any kind at Tiger Stadium. There had been occasional Monday night games played in the league over the years. [73], There were many proposals to redevelop the site. Sweet Lou Whitaker, at just over 5 foot 10 and weighing a slim 160 pounds, was probably the least-likely prolific home run hitter at Tiger Stadium. 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. Shipping Service FAQ. It was my 1st game and we sat in the upper deck in left field. Bosman, once Howard's roommate, mentioned one blast Howard clocked off Tommy John at RFK Stadium in 1966, then another off Mickey Lolich that sailed clear out of Tiger Stadium in 1968. Chain link and at one time, a barbed wire fence, separated the bleachers from the reserved sections and was the only section of seating not covered by at least part of the roof. By the early 1990s the owner of the Tigers wanted a new luxurious ballpark for team. As I mentioned above, a list that includes significant home runs at Tiger Stadium has to include Charlie Maxwell hitting 4 HRS in 4 consecutive at bats on May 3, 1959 in a double header against the Yankees. Robinson flung his glove into the stands in disgust. Be respectful even if you disagree. The Lions last title came in 1957. Posted on 10/1/19 at 7:27 am to chimesstreet. Why Ill never sell my Mark Fidrych rookie card, Ken Holloway: Detroits other Yankee Killer, These batters hit the most home runs at Tiger Stadium, #TBT: Tigers power hitting catcher Mickey Tettleton. [7][17] While constructed on the same site as Bennett Park, the diamond at Navin Field was rotated 90, with home plate located in what had been left field at Bennett Park. Hammerin Hank Greenberg probably hit more home runs to deep left-center field at Navin Field/Briggs Stadium than any other player. [53][54][55] Ted Williams won the 1941 game with a walk-off three-run home run. There is one other football item worthy of note regarding Tiger Stadium. Matt Monagan (Cerdan claimed he dislocated his shoulder in the first round.) [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 Tigers' Kirk Gibson hit a home run onto the street in 1983 but it was less than 600 feet. With the OPEN sign light I though well came all this way just aswell give it a try and am I glad I did. The game was televised only to Green Bay. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. A dozen years later, after Navins death, Walter Briggs bought the club, adding an upper deck along the foul poles and seats in right field. I put the location into google maps off I went. [35][36][37] It originally had one before it was removed. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. 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. After the game, it was revealed Hughes had passed away from a heart attack. Clem's Baseball ~ Tiger Stadium By Rhiannon Walker @InstantRHIplay. Center field was even farther 467 feet. 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. [77] In July 2007, Detroit City Council voted 54 in approval of the demolition. In the eighth inning of a game against the Rangers, Fielder turned on a Matt Whiteside offering, hitting it onto the roof of Tiger Stadium. A 125-foot flagpole stood just to the left of the 440-foot sign in dead center field. In 1973, ground was broken for a stadium to exclusively house the Lions. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof.. He was also adept at hitting the ball out down the left field line, a trait later adopted by Willie Horton and Lance Parrish. [14], In 2018, the Corner Ballpark opened at the site. Hughes was quickly wheeled off the field, which eerily ended minutes later. www.newsbreak.com Remembering the Red Wings gritty Martin Lapointe. Jason Thompson (first baseman, born 1954) - Wikipedia Proudly powered by WordPress | The city used the proceeds to defray the demolition costs. My sons at 10 and 8 thought I was a genious. The most notable one easily was a KISS concert held on June 28, 1996. [7][2] Cleveland Naps player "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, later banned from baseball for life following the Black Sox Scandal, scored the first run at Navin Field. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadiums right field roof four times in his career. Order Tracking As I approached the area I quickly realized I was in more an industrial & commercial area then retail. This is a true story and has been recorded in a magazine of tape measure home runs. 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. Park Dimensions: The dimensions of the park (in feet) including left, right and center field distance to each wall. The ballparks other famous boxing matches involved Jake LaMotta. Back to top. He hit some long HRs at Tiger Stadium. [80] Demolition began on June 30, 2008. It is the only on-field death in the history of the league. 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. 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! 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! My sons were small and I was trying to teach them the strategy of the game (since I was also their coach). Cecil was on 49, and I veered my car onto the exit to downtown Detroit and snatched up a ticket. The blast must have ignited Cash's non-corked bat, as he decimated American League pitching with 23 home runs and 58 RBIs in 78 games after the All-Star break. Homer History At Tiger Stadium - The New York Times 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. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadiums right field roof four times in his career. Home run facts from The Corner in Detroit - Vintage Detroit Obviously those CF home runs had to be close to 500 feet to clear the wall at that point. Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA) [71][72] It was also shown at the inaugural National Baseball Hall of Fame Film Festival in November 2006. About Us [76] In June 2007, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation approved a plan to demolish the stadium, which needed approval from Detroit City Council. From the day it opened in 1912, until the final game in September of 1999, Tiger Stadium was witness to more home runs than any other ballpark in baseball. The team played as the Detroit Cougars in the United Soccer Association. Tiger Stadium - National Ballpark Museum If you have been the the field since they tore down the stadium just stand at home plate and imagine hitting it over the 90 foot high roof to where brooks lumber still stands. I will never forget this day. Longest Home Runs Ever by Ballpark - Baseball Fever 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! The last game at Tiger Stadium was on September 27, 1999. Only four of the game's most powerful right-handed sluggers (Harmon Killebrew, Frank Howard, Cecil Fielder and Mark McGwire) reached the left field rooftop. Frank Navin, who bought the team in 1908, was a man with big ideas. Some managers felt a line should be drawn on the pole and that any ball hit above the line would be a home run. As we stood at the vendor the entire stadium erupted. Why a 1969 Frank Howard home run in Seattle still sticks with a Doak Field at Dail Park upgrades (NC Wolfpack) Here are the longest home runs in the Home Run Derby, during the StatCast era, away from Coors Field. Stopped by Wed morning 7/6 and had the pleasure of dealing directly with Lynne. Innovative Field (Rochester Red Wings) upgrades - Advertisement - Check it out. With Trammell on first and Fielder in a 3 1 count and leaned over and told my sons, If I was Fielder in this situation, he should look for a fastball and swing for I-75. He did. Al Kaline takes aim at the seats in Tiger Stadium in the late 1950s. Due to the progression of the disease named after him, it was the final game of his career. ORDER YOURS NOW! Thank you so much, I can't wait to wear my jersey to a Wings game! When Tiger Stadium closed, Detroit lost a piece of its soul New Hagerstown Atlantic League ballpark The last Tigers game at the stadium was held on September 27, 1999. These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. On August 16, 1927 Ruth hit his famous "roof topper" home run at Comiskey Park. The stadiums demolition was completed on September 21, 2009, though the stadiums actual playing field remains at the corner where the stadium stood. In 1977, a fire wiped out the press box. Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run there in 1934. Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the campus of Louisiana State University. Cecil Fielder was the third player,. But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. The day Reggie Jackson hit a home run off Tiger Stadium's light tower FAQ. The bleachers had their own entrance, concession stands and restrooms. There were very few concerts held over the years at The Corner. Winning pitcher Jim Bouton tossed seven scoreless innings for the victory. On September 10, 1960, Mickey Mantle hit a home run over the right-field roof at Tiger Stadium. Tiger Stadium saw gigantic home runs, like the one Babe Ruth hit that witnesses swore traveled 600 feet as it soared over the right field grandstands. Ruth hit 60 homers there, the most by any visiting ballplayer. #1 LSU baseball with 26 run outburst to throttle Central Connecticut Bullying, racism, personal attacks, harassment, or discrimination is prohibited. There were many famous home runs hit there, such as Babe Ruths 700th, and the walkoff homer by Ted Williams in the 1941 All-Star Game. [18] In 1977, the Tigers sold the stadium to the city of Detroit, which then leased it back to the Tigers. I had Ernie on the radio listening to the game. New St. Croix River Hounds ballpark, 2025 Ballparks Before Reggie Jackson. Left field was 345 feet away while right field was a monstrous 370 feet down the line. No advertising or spamming is permitted. [62][64][65] Following the game, an emotional ceremony with past and present Tigers greats was held to mark the occasion. Text by Dave Wright Photos by John Moist. [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. Depending who you talk to, the upper deck in right field was built to hang 5-10 feet over the warning track. There were over 30 home runs hit onto the right field roof over the years. 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. Awesome article Dan as usual! [69] Among performers at the nightclub-style event was Snoop Dogg. I will never forget it. Its unique dimensions allowed fans to get closer than usual to the ballgame. I placed an order and received a follow up call within 24 hrs due to item was not available. Thats the longest home run Ive had hit off me, said Stewart, who had surrendered an upper-deck shot to Fielder in the first inning. In 1955, right field returned to its 325-foot status. Four were over the longer left field roof, (Harmon Killebrew, Frank Howard, Cecil Fielder, Mark McGuire) and the rest were over the right field roof.) 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. 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. Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects) But the Yankees turned on their old nemesis, knocking him out with seven runs in two innings. Customer Service It was the final Major League hit, home run, and RBI in Tiger Stadium's history. He installed an area in the lower deck (between first and third base) that had padded seats and added waitservice. In 1970, when ABC signed on to carry Monday Night Football on a weekly basis, the network came to Detroit to do a trial run at an exhibition game. 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. Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. However, in just about every case, it had been occurred due to a stadium conflict or for a special reason. When was the last Tigers game at Tiger Stadium? As the team improved, so did the capacity of the ballpark, capping out at 14,000. Source: wikimedia.org. Trammell hit 97 homers at Tiger Stadium, good for 11th all-time. 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! The new owner gave the old ballpark one last shot, adding a plaza of souvenir and food stands in the old players parking lot. 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. Returns & Exchanges [98], Tiger Stadium showing signs of neglect in 2006, Tiger Stadium with facade lettering removed in November 2007, The visitors' bullpen and right field from lower deck in November 2007, Tiger Stadium with seats removed in November 2007, Abandoned in April 2008; Tigers now play in Comerica Park, Demonstration against a School Amendment at Navin Field in 1920, This article is about the Detroit Tigers' former stadium. 2023 Ballparks 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 right field overhang frustrated many outfielders who were camped under a routine flyball only to see it land in the first row upstairs. Dont forget about Frank Howard. He grabbed his crotch and Sparky was not happy about it. I was there for Gibsons shot over the roof onto brooks lumber. None had occurred since 1955. Norm Cash - Society for American Baseball Research Customer Service I bet that was a great experience, seeing Killebrews home run. New Marshall University ballpark Extremely satisfied with the wonderful personable service! Tettleton, who cleared the stadium roof Friday night against the Angels, did it again in the . In the 22nd inning, Jack Reed hit the only home run of his 129-at bat career off Phil Regan for a 9-7 win. The Tigers will move to Comerica Park next year. 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. Observers Recall Longest Homers - UPI Archives Thank you so much, I can't wait to wear my jersey to a Wings game! Although they only won six pennants during their tenure there, the hometown Tigers were often an interesting team with individual stars. How many home runs did Harmon Killebrew have? SCOUTING; Jackson's 485th Is Over the Roof - The New York Times The overhang would occasionally turn some extremely high arced fly balls into home runs. The Home Run Encyclopedia gives an account of one of Ruth's longest drives and one of the longest hit ever. There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. tiger stadium home runs over roof - sportauto.se ), But the biggest move came in 1938. Ask away and we will do our best to answer or find someone who can.We try to vet our answers to get you the most acurate answers. In the first game Cash hit the shot over the roof and another home run off McClain. Excited to work with Vintage Detroit on future orders. Denny McLain achieved one of the games rarest feats at the place they called The Corner. Reggie Jackson's 1971 All-Star Game shot at Tiger Stadium would have travelled more than 600. Bill Freehan deserves special mention in that he hit exactly 100 home runs at Tiger Stadium and also 100 on the road. 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 ! wow! 11,111 home runs It was the first Notre Dame football game to be played at night. The benches for both the Lions and their opponents were on the outfield side of the field. [34], In 1999, its final season, only this ballpark and Bank One Ballpark had a dirt path that ran from the pitcher's mound to home plate. 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 . A few players, very few, hit home runs into the bleachers in straightaway center field, an incredible 440 feet away. 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.. This did not include wildcat seats that were built on the rooftops on houses located behind the left-field fence. 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. Briggs Stadium was the scene of another famous event, which was actually something that did not occur. 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