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. 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. Copyright 2023 August Publications. Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) updates Al Kaline takes aim at the seats in Tiger Stadium in the late 1950s. - Advertisement - Check it out. 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. A new ballpark for the Tigers was built in downtown Detroit, and the club moved to Comerica Park after the 1999 season. the Yankees won that day, 22-2 the worst loss the Tigers ever suffered at home.). Distance: 511 Feet. 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. On April 15, 1999, Torii Hunter hit a home run off Brian Moehler at Tiger Stadium while playing for the Minnesota Twins. [3], For a time after it was constructed, the right field upper deck had a "315" marker at the foul pole (later painted over), with a "325" marker below it on the lower deck fence (which was retained). (The front row of seats was just 55 feet behind home plate). There were strange home runs: one hit on a line drive that stuck under the wall and allowed Dixie Walker to circle the bases in 1939; a homer that rattled around the flag pole in deep center field while Lou Gehrig ran around the bases in 1933; and the inside-the-park homer that Kirk Gibson hit in which he was a stride behind teammate Lou Whitaker who slid safely in front of him scoring from first base. Big Frank Howard loved to hit there, as did Killebrew and Reggie and Ken Griffey Jr. Mickey Mantle: On September 10, 1960, the Yankee slugger hit a home run out of Tiger Stadium against Frank Lary. After the game, it was revealed Hughes had passed away from a heart attack. [31][32][33], Tiger Stadium featured an upper and lower deck bleacher section that was separated from the rest of the stadium. It was the type of park that inspired such feats. Text by Dave Wright Photos by John Moist. Bullying, racism, personal attacks, harassment, or discrimination is prohibited. 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. Everyone has their own opinion. Plainsman Park (Auburn) upgrades Its first day was overshadowed by the news the Titanic hit an iceberg and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. I put the location into google maps off I went. Thats so true, every game can be legendary. 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. I ended up buy a very nice winter Tiger jacket and as I tried it on and decided on it they noticed a very minor blemish on the back and quickly informed me I had a hard time even seeing it & probably would have never noticed it. Progressive Field renovations 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. 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. Another outfield oddity was a ledge that fielders used to jump onto to try to snare balls headed for the seats. He has four other children and four grandchildren. To make the park appear like Yankee Stadium, the parks seats were painted green and a skyline of the Bronx was added. Unlike some teams that played in baseball parks, the Lions made no attempt to cover the infield. 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.) Al Kaline.). A few players, very few, hit home runs into the bleachers in straightaway center field, an incredible 440 feet away. A World Series victory in 1984 didnt seem to help. Proudly powered by WordPress | These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. This is not a replacement for the newsletter, but rather a real-time notification system! The Fighting Irish won, 406. Fick, a catcher and designated hitter, entered the game batting .200 with two home runs in 30 . I put the location into google maps off I went. But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. I bet that was a great experience, seeing Killebrews home run. The latter once flipped off Sparky Anderson after hitting a home run into the right field upper deck in 1993. At the time, some places in the outfield were only marked off with rope. [2][20][21][22] Ground was broken for the new Comerica Park on October 29, 1997. August Publications was formed in 2002 with the launch of Ballpark Digest. Willie Horton hit a home run at Tiger Stadium when he was 16 years old during an all-city high school game. [77] In July 2007, Detroit City Council voted 54 in approval of the demolition. One of those occurred on June 24, 1962. 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. What do you get when you combine a block party and a baseball league? In 1955, right field returned to its 325-foot status. [17], Over the years, expansion continued to accommodate more spectators. The seven-hour game is the second longest game in American League history. [35][36][37] It originally had one before it was removed. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. There were moments of joy to behold down the stretch. A post-game ceremony brought back just about famous ex-Tiger who was still alive for one last salute. Shipping Service 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). It was the kind of place that inspired the best in players. Cecil was on 49, and I veered my car onto the exit to downtown Detroit and snatched up a ticket. ),

The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. [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. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof. Fittingly, they lost to Denver, 31-27. He only fought once at Briggs Stadium, defeating Bob Pastor on September 20, 1939. The hit itself was a gunshot, echoing back from center. Frank Osborn founded Osborn Engineering in Cleveland in 1892. (The movie Detroit Rock City was based on this concert.). Since Detroit was driving for a score late in the game, some assumed Hughes was simply trying to stop the clock. My guess is there is a more effective way for the Athletic Department to spend 20 million dollars (or 50 million..or whatever it would cost). 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. Babe Ruth (60), Ted Williams (55), Jimmie Foxx (52), Mickey Mantle (42), Yogi Berra (37), Yaz (36). For medical advice, always consult your medical doctor. The Tigers. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. It was the last hit and the last run in the stadium. 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. 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.. Here are the longest home runs in the Home Run Derby, during the StatCast era, away from Coors Field. 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. Among major league parks whose construction predated the advent of night games, only Wrigley Field went longer without lights (1988). Thank you so much, I can't wait to wear my jersey to a Wings game! Not to be picky but Griffey didnt flip off Sparky. In the Lions glory years of the 1950s, Detroit was considered one of the toughest venues in the league to play. Out of concern for the neighborhood, the team moved a series to Baltimore. I will never forget it. Non-Baseball Events Held at Tiger Stadium The year 1938 was significant in the ballparks history. This pole was in play. Talk about luck, but wow were they wrong. Many fans were saddened when the last game was played at "The Corner". By: WBRZ Sports. Considered one of the longest home runs ever hit in major league history. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadiums right field roof four times in his career. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! In 1961, John Fetzer bought the team and renamed its home Tiger Stadium. In 2018, the site was redeveloped for youth sports. The Home Run Encyclopedia gives an account of one of Ruth's longest drives and one of the longest hit ever. 8/25/90: Cecil Fielder's home run bounces over the roof in left field at Tiger StadiumCheck out http://MLB.com/video for more!About MLB.com: About MLB.com: B. AboutPressCopyrightContact. 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. [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. 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. That year, Big Daddy captured the countrys attention with an eye-popping 51 home runs and 132 RBI, both best in the majors. [70], In 2006, the feature-length documentary Stranded at the Corner: The Battle to Save Historic Tiger Stadium was released. The film dramatized the efforts of New York Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris during the 1961 season to break fellow Yankee Babe Ruth's single-season home run record of 60. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadium's right field roof four times in his career. Before Reggie Jackson. Although it was the park where he was booed regularly, Tiger Stadium played a huge role in Maris career. [86] There was at one time also a sign on the enclosing fence labeling the site "Ernie Harwell Park". 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. 2023 Ballparks He installed an area in the lower deck (between first and third base) that had padded seats and added waitservice. Thanks! The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! 10. [81], After a hiatus wherein various plans to preserve portions of the stadium were considered,[82][83][84][85] demolition was completed on September 21, 2009. Sure, Tiger Stadium was a famously hitter-friendly ballpark, especially for lefties. [53][54][55] Ted Williams won the 1941 game with a walk-off three-run home run. About Us On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. No advertising or spamming is permitted. 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. At the time, some places in the outfield were only marked off with rope. 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. The Amercan League won the game 6-4, with two run homers by Jackson, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew. With the OPEN sign light I though well came all this way just aswell give it a try and am I glad I did. In left field, outfielders were known to jump up on the auxiliary scoreboard, grab the screen and reach several feet over the fence. The ballpark was also the scene of one of the darkest days in NFL history. Back to top. For the second time in five days, Detroit's Mickey Tettleton hit a home run out of Tiger Stadium. 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. Tiger Stadium didnt go down easily. 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. A+! When Medwick took his position in left field in the bottom of the inning, the Tiger fans pelted him with fruits, vegetables and just about anything else they could get their hands on. 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? Hank Greenberg and Willie Horton might also qualify as long time Tigers. Today's Posts; Member List; Calendar; Forum; American League; Chicago White Sox; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Quick shipping as well. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof.. In the first game Cash hit the shot over the roof and another home run off McClain. [24] The same flag pole was to be brought to Comerica Park, but this never happened. Ficks homer hit the roof in right and just missed going out of the stadium. Took everyones breath away. The home run went to straightaway center field, clearing the stadium and landing into the street. For the current stadium of the Detroit Tigers, see, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, 1999 Detroit Tigers season Final game at Tiger Stadium, "Tiger Stadium still holds a special place in hearts of fans", "Sept. 21, 2009: The day Tiger Stadium died", "Bennett Park/Navin Field/Briggs Stadium/Tiger Stadium", "50 Years ago Briggs Stadium was Renamed Tiger Stadium", "National Register of Historic Places MICHIGAN (MI), Wayne Country", "First pitch thrown at former Tiger Stadium site, now home to youth league", "April 28, 1896: There used to be a hay market here: Detroit Tigers open Bennett Park", "April 20, 1912: Frank Navin's field of dreams opens in Detroit", "Tigers say Detroit is prime stadium site", "Old Tiger Stadium's famed flagpole gets new life", "Detroit Tigers: 10 Things You May Not Know About Comerica Park", "June 15, 1948: 'Look at your wonderful lights here': Tigers win first night game in Detroit", "The Game That Was NotPhiladelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs, August 8, 1988", "Remembering old Tiger Stadium and its final game", "In pictures: Remembering the Tigers' original home in Detroit", "1957 Detroit Lions: What happened each game during championship season", "Tiger Stadium History, Photos & More of the former NFL stadium of the Detroit Lions", "FORMER PONTIAC SILVERDOME . This is a true story and has been recorded in a magazine of tape measure home runs. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. PNC Park upgrades (The next year, a screen was placed on top of the fence. I was there in the left field upper deck when it was first hit we thought it was coming right to us, but it just kept going over the roof. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. 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 ! This would be hard to believe but I actually called the shot. [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. Date: 1999. 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. It was declared a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1975 and has been listed on the National Register of . The ball actually sailed right over the right field roof of the ballpark, which is mind-boggling to contemplate. A doctor who was sitting in the stands tore from his seat, broke past an official and ran to help Hughes. With the OPEN sign light I though well came all this way just aswell give it a try and am I glad I did. Tiger Stadium was designed by the father and son team of Frank C. Osborn and Kenneth H. Osborn. Ruth hit 60 homers there, the most by any visiting ballplayer. It is believed to be the only time in the sports history this has occurred. It was an effort by a local sports management company to bring a Frontier League franchise to Detroit. [45], Northern Irish professional soccer club Glentoran F.C. I placed an order and received a follow up call within 24 hrs due to item was not available. But on August 25, 1990, during a Saturday game against Oakland, Tigers first baseman Cecil Fielder joined the exclusive circle of sluggers. I will never forget this day. A year later, Tiger Stadium was in the national spotlight when Denny McLain became the first pitcher in 31 years to win 30 games. the Nearest to me was Vintage. He hit his first home run of the 1961 season there. 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. In September 1990, I was making the trip from Traverse City down to Toledo, Ohio, to visit my grandmother. [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. A record that cant be broken, You are correct he hit 4 out of the Stadium. 5 Reasons to Update Your Business Operations, Get the Best Sleep Ever in 5 Simple Steps, How to Pack for Your Next Trip Somewhere Cold, Manage Your Money More Efficiently in 5 Steps, Ranking the 5 Most Spectacular NFL Stadiums in 2023. Robert Fick hit a grand-slam homer to help Detroit to an 8-2 win over Kansas City. They stayed at the ballpark until 1974 when they left to play in the 76,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome. Harmon Killebrew hit a home run that ricocheted off the left field roof and sounded like a gun blast off his bat. Yankee Stadium is listed in the credits at the end of the film as being played by Tiger Stadium. (Oddly. The city of Detroit decide to move an entire street Cherry Street so the entire ball park could now be double decked. The Red Sox, though, quickly struck again. Navin Field opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park. 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. Watched Harmons HR shot go over the left field stands-right over the top of me-I was working as a stand-boy out in left field and got a break to go out and and watch part of the gamemy only comment was WOW! He frantically signaled to the sidelines to get help for Hughes. [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. Enter your email address to subscribe to Ballpark Digest and receive notifications of new posts by email immediately when a new story is posted.