The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. Thirty years after arriving in the Motor City, Fielder remembershis time in Detroit fondly. Briggs Stadium, as it was now known, held 53,000 seats. Reggie Jackson's All-Star Game homer off the Tiger Stadium roof is The casual fan might not fully appreciate the modest masher, who becomes eligible for Hall of Fame consideration next year. According to Statcast, someone soon to follow topped Mike Piazza's 496-foot homer from Sept. 26, 1997, as the longest home run in Coors Field history. Mr. October receives the benefit of the doubt for his July feat, but watch the ball rocket off his bat. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. In 1964, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had an idea he wanted to try. Chronicling the Business and Culture of Baseball Ballparks--MLB, MiLB, College, Tiger Stadium / Detroit Tigers / 1912-1999, Its Oriole Park vs. PNC Park in 2023 MLB BoTB finals, As land purchase could lead to new Vegas ballpark, WI Assembly leader: American Family Field maintenance should see Milwaukee money, 2023 MLB Best of the Ballparks fan vote moves to Final Four, 2023 MiLB Best of the Ballparks, Triple-A vote reaches Final Four, Is 2025 a firm deadline for teams to meet MiLB facility upgrades? He handled things so well with the media, fans, and his teammates.. Reggie Jackson was the player who hit one over the right field roof while playing for the California Angels during the May 15, 1984 game at Tiger Stadium. This wasnt even peak Stargell. He installed an area in the lower deck (between first and third base) that had padded seats and added waitservice. His name? It's also not the last time the three-true-outcomes prototype appears on this list. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he was an imposing figure for pitchers. Landed in the last few rows one per deck bleachers. Hughes was quickly wheeled off the field, which eerily ended minutes later. LMCU Ballpark (West Michigan Whitecaps) upgrades 0 jvploeg ANSWERS: 8 Anon ( http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/tigers.htm) Babe Ruth Reggie Jackson Norm Cash Harmon Killebrew Frank Howard Cecil Fielder Mark McGwire Is all I can find. Just so happened it was a heater and I don't know what happened.". 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. He retired with 536 home runs, sixth on the all-time list. I grew up in Bridgeport Michigan. April 14, 1976. 59,203 fans attended the game, the largest crowd ever to see a football game at the Corner. 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. Fielder joined Harmon Killebrew (1962) and Frank Howard (1968) as the only players to hit a home run over those left-field grandstands. 12, Todd McShay reveals Detroit Lions best draft pick, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes puts NFL on HIGH ALERT, 3 Michigan State football players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Detroit Tigers SP Tarik Skubal takes big step forward, AJ Hinch on Zack Short Shorty brings a different skill set to that spot on the roster. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. 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. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! He grabbed his crotch and Sparky was not happy about it. I said, 'I think we have something here.' Before getting benched for Homer Simpson, Darryl Strawberry tested Olympic Stadium's limits by sending a souvenir into the lights. I've been a Detroit Tigers fan since the 70s and recently found VDC, I ordered a home and road personalized player t and a Freehan 11 1968 player t and they are awesome shirts, I will definitely be ordering more from them. I was just hoping it was going to stay fair, Trammell said. Good article. I wanted to play every day and I didnt have that opportunity in Toronto. (Rumor was this came at the behest of the teams first star, Ty Cobb.) MLB.com also offers extensive historical information and footage, online ticket sales, official baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles and fantasy games.Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams split between the American and National Leagues. 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, 14-4,'' Aug. 26), and that only Harmon Killebrew (in 1962) and Frank Howard (in 1968) had accomplished that feat. Tiger Stadium / Detroit Tigers / 1912-1999 - Ballpark Digest After Giancarlo Stanton decimated a baseball during the World Baseball Classic, MLB Network informed viewers that the hulking outfielder torpedoed the ball 424 feet at an exit velocity of 117.3 miles per hour. 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. Bennett Park was still their home field, when six years later, they joined the AL as a charter member. ESPN's Home Run Tracker yielded a projected true distance of 443 feet. The roof might have stopped it from clearing Detroit altogether. Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA) 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. It was the longest ball I ever saw, Tigers broadcaster George Kell told Susman. That guy went on to hit 51 home runs in 1990, the 11th player in history to reach the 50-homer milestone. Thanks! Thats 59 home runs for each team for the entire season. The 1971 All-Star Game was held at Tiger Stadium, a stadium that, according to Ballparks.com, saw 19 players hit 28 home runs that cleared the roof and left the parkliterally. Jose Canseco hit a home run to center field lower deck. He never played another game. (The Cubs claimed their last World Series title there in 1908.) Only four players have been confirmed to hit a ball over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium in Detroit: Cecil Fielder, Mark McGwire, Harmon Killebrew, and Frank Howard. June 9, 1946, for a dinger deemed to have traveled 502 feet. Among the dignitaries on hand that day: David Eisenhower (nephew of the president and the person for whom Camp David was named) and Dizzy Dean, who had been baseballs last 30-game winner. 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. Fielder was given the dented ball by an employee who recovered it from a gutter on the back portion of the ballpark. In 80-degree weather on Aug. 25, 1990, Tiger Stadium hosted 45,474 fans eager to watch the Oakland Athletics' "Bash Brothers," Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, face off against the Tigers' Cecil. Privacy Policy "Balls with that trajectory, for a lot of guys it doesn't go out. Tell us in the comments. Customer Service You just dont get this type of service anywhere else folks and turns out it all to be a great value as well as they search the system for every possible discount they could give me. Winning pitcher Jim Bouton tossed seven scoreless innings for the victory. According to Allied News Jim Sankey, via MLB.coms Matt Monagan, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder submitted seven of 18 balls to clear Forbes Fields 86-foot high roof in right field. Its estimated that the Babes blast traveled at least 575 feet in the air. 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. After failing to land free agents Pete OBrien and Kent Hrbek, Tigers general managerBill Lajoie went after Fielder. 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. From 1990 to 1991, Cecil Fielder accrued an MLB-best 95 home runs, including a soaring shot onto the Tiger Stadium roof in 1990. Some call this the longest home run ever hit. This one went over the left field roof, off Oaklands Dave Stewart. There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. "I know if he throws that changeup, he'll make me look like an ass, because he had such a good one, if you don't sell out to it. Service and shipping were exceptional. I saw Frank Howard hit his homer over the left field wall in Tiger stadium. Richard Keiber, a collector who obtained Kingman's moonshot outside of Wrigley Field, insisted to theChicago Tribune's Rick Talley in 2003 that 600 feet was a more accurate tally. "You play the game as a kid, you progress through high school, you get drafted, you go through the minor leagues. I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. A 125-foot flagpole stood just to the left of the 440-foot sign in dead center field. "I don't think anyone could ever be comfortable getting a statue, I mean that respectfully," Thome said during the unveiling ceremony, per. I did feel the pressure, said Fielder, who was thrilled that his mother, who had flown in from California, saw him hit No. He was also adept at hitting the ball out down the left field line, a trait later adopted by Willie Horton and Lance Parrish. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. No one hit more homers in Tiger Stadium than Al Kaline, who belted 212 there, while hitting 187 on the road. While there's no definitive list of longest All-Star Game home runs, it's safe to say Reggie Jackson's 1971 blast would top it. The field ran from the first base line, across the infield to the left-center-field fence. He was a regular at baseball games there for years. The park estimated his powerful swing at 505 feet, making it one of the longest homers to invite a Big Apple rising. On June 14, 1983, Gibson belted a blast over the right field roof against the Red Sox. I was in desperate need because of a upcoming event to make purchase I could get same day while searching for the item I quickly realized there wasn't just limited availability of the item but very limited locations in Metro Detroit i could purchase the item. Order Tracking Bullying, racism, personal attacks, harassment, or discrimination is prohibited. That much is known. Only one current Tiger ever hit a home run at Tiger Stadium, and it was a memorable occasion. Future Legends Sports Complex (Northern Colorado Owlz) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), People are hurting: With so many flood-damaged homes, money is on the way to help, Photos: Best and worst looks from the 2023 Met Gala, Seaweed mass hits record-breaking size in Caribbean as it heads to Florida and Gulf, First Republic Bank seized, sold in fire sale to JPMorgan, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Plainsman Park (Auburn) upgrades Must have been 1977 or 1978. 6/14/83: Kirk Gibson's home run clears the right-field roof at Tiger StadiumCheck out http://MLB.com/video for more!About MLB.com: About MLB.com: Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League Club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball's Internet operations into an independent technology company. It was out of the park in a split second. Just ordered the military green Lions shirt and couldn't be happier. Excludes Adidas Primegreen jerseys and e-Gift Cards. In 80-degree weather on Aug. 25, 1990, Tiger Stadium hosted 45,474 fans eagerto watch the Oakland Athletics' Bash Brothers, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, face off against the Tigers' Cecil Fielder, the league leaderin home runs. The best of those bombs occurred June 26, when he smacked one off Shea Stadium's scoreboard. Dozens of players have peppered the left field roof at batting practice, though. Everyone has their own opinion. MLB.com also provides an array of mobile apps for fans to choose from, including At Bat, the highest-grossing iOS sports app of all-time. Distance of Longest Batted Baseball - The Physics Factbook - hypertext-book (At age 89, Eldon Auker, a member of the 1934-35 AL champions, was the oldest returnee. 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 . 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. But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. In his penultimate 2000 season, Glenallen Hill registered a career-high 27 home runs for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. This pole was in play. Before Susmans research, Mantles longest homer was thought to be the one he hit in 1953 in Washington, a drive measured at 565 feet. Back in 21, Navin Field did not yet have the upper deck in center field that would later be a haven for diehard fans. 49 at Tiger Stadium off Bostons Dennis Lamp on Sept. 27. 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. Send a Message. By the 1970s, the ballpark was beginning to show its age. Monaghan had to get a helicopter to fly in pizzas to writers working inside the old ballpark while overzealous fans partied too hard directly outside Tiger Stadium. I remember watching the 1971 blast as a 12 year old on TV with my family living in Michigan at the time. The new system pinpointed a 115.8-mph exit velocity with a launch angle of 18.3 degrees. Carolina Hurricanes eliminate Nashville Predators in OT [VIDEO], Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson loves him some Jared Goff, Detroit Tigers make decision on Austin Meadows, claim Braden Bristo off waivers, Rumor surfaces as to why Detroit Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs at No. Trammell hit 97 homers at Tiger Stadium, good for 11th all-time. The Tigers' Kirk Gibson hit a home run onto the street in 1983 but it was less than 600 feet. New York Mets fans don't hold many fond memories of Mo Vaughn. This is why: for decades during the earlier history of that ball park, the roofed, left-field spectator stands did not exist. Accurately measuring those moonshots isn't much easier. In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live full length MLB game. After hitting his 40th home run on that Saturday afternoon, Fielder was not done yet with the Bash Brothers. I think the Tigers won that game in the bottom of the 9th, when they were losing but then Jim Northrup hit a grand slam to win the game. On July 19, 1968, the Tigers trailed Baltimore 4-3 with one runner on and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning when Matchick, a .226 hitter, lofted a fly ball to right. "It has been confirmed that the ball struck against the third house beyond Waveland Avenue, which is situated about 530 feet from home plate," Jenkinson wrote. Over the roof, gone, home run for Cecil!. "I was sitting on a changeup, because he only threw like 88," Dunn recalled to Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans a year later. 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. As I recall, it was a sunny Sunday afternoon that day. Paul Baldwin and Sam worked together for many years and knew each other well. 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. Urban legends of Mickey Mantle's power prowess have run wild. New Tennessee Smokies ballpark. The winning pitcher that day for the Blue Jays was Pat Hentgen of Fraser. 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. (Nobody ever knew for sure just close of a target that upper deck really was. "Straw hit it so far and so high that I just stood and watched.". Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Detroit Tigers OF Austin Meadows. The most notable one easily was a KISS concert held on June 28, 1996. What a great game! But not so fast. Its like the difference between hearing a PGA player tee off and an everyday golfer.. 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. The slam hit the right field roof and became the . Ruth hit 60 homers there, the most by any visiting ballplayer. As he was for Fielders over-the-roof blast, Trammell was on first base. You are correct about Howard. TheBoston Globe's Bob Ryan, viaMLB.com's Mike Bertha, marveled at the power display. William Jenkinson, who credited Ruth with setting distance high marks in every MLB ballpark, wrotethe Yankees icon "defies rational analysis": Amazingly, many of those records remain unequaled, which is to say thatRuthis a true athletic anachronism. Once or twice a year, an outfielder would have to go behind the pole to chase an errant hit. It did not, however, journey 540 feet as have some suggested. The Tigers scratched out a run in the sixth to tie the game at 7. Dave Kingman hit one entirely out of Wrigley Field onApril 14, 1976. Comerica Park is NICE; Tiger Stadium was GREAT!!!! Reggie Jackson became a national figure due to a famous home run in an All-Star Game. I was very happy for Cecil.. . I've been a Detroit Tigers fan since the 70s and recently found VDC, I ordered a home and road personalized player t and a Freehan 11 1968 player t and they are awesome shirts, I will definitely be ordering more from them. It is the only on-field death in the history of the league. As a lifelong Tigers fan, I have been fortunate enough to see two players clear the fence. Frank Navin, who bought the team in 1908, was a man with big ideas. Not bad at all, but ESPN's Home Run Tracker determined that Williams deserves even more credit. It was the 485th home run of his career. The ball would have kept going, lending to a final true-distance calculation of 530 feet. . The team began a downward spiral on and off the field. Since that time, millions of baseball fans around the world have subscribed to MLB.TV, the live video streaming product that airs every game in HD to nearly 400 different devices. There was a one-year spike in attendance but the 1994 baseball strike wiped out a lot of good will earned. Amazingly, many of those records remain unequaled, which is to say that, is a true athletic anachronism. I had always been a tremendous Mantle fan my growing years, Susman said. I was just glad nobody got hurt in Iraq, he said. If he hit that one, he might have hit it right out of Tiger Stadium.. Mantle hit the memorable homer off Paul Foytack on Sept. 10, 1960. Although only three strongmen (Frank Howard, Harmon Killebrew, Cecil Fielder) hit balls that went over the roof in left field, several folks shot the ball over the right-field roof. There was Babe Ruth's 700th career shot and the one he hit an estimated 600+ feet, Reggie Jackson's All-Star homer off the light towers, and Kirk Gibson's massive longball in the 1984 World Series. Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run there in 1934. This would put him in the feasible discussion for the longest round-tripper ever. During his 17 seasons of Major League Baseball, Kirk Gibson hit 255 home runs with 195 of those dingers coming with the Detroit Tigers. Although this is hard to imagine these days, the Lions were a very strong franchise in the 1950s, playing in three NFL title games in five seasons. On May 2, 1939, Lou Gehrigs streak of 2,130 consecutive games ended when he asked out of the Yankees lineup complaining of a headache. Kept me posted every step of the way, literally. Have Your Own Jersey? Over the years, the distances gradually shortened down the lines. Tiger Stadium in Detroit witnessed 11,111 home runs from 1912 to '99, and that included some big moments. And so it went. Another outfield oddity was a ledge that fielders used to jump onto to try to snare balls headed for the seats. Prince Fielder hit a home run there during batting practice when he was a 12-year old and his dad was playing for the Tigers.