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. 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. Privacy Policy [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. July 3rd, 1999 still stands as a milestone for Indians fans, who fondly remember the astounding home run that secured Jim Thome's place in MLB history. Even more unusual for the time, all three games were televised locally in an effort to distract minds of Detroiters. The final act came on September 27, 1999. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. Briggs Stadium, as it was now known, held 53,000 seats. Shortly thereafter, the city of Detroit bought the park from the team for $1. Reggie Jackson's 1971 All-Star Game shot at Tiger Stadium would have travelled more than 600. These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. Many seats were replaced. Once or twice a year, an outfielder would have to go behind the pole to chase an errant hit. Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects) 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. Detroit reliever Terry Fox threw eight scoreless innings of relief. Cabrera Cecil Fielder takes a gingerly stroll on the roof of Tiger Stadium in 1993. 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. Especially into August and September, the stadium was packed with fans making one last pilgrimage.. In 1949, he defeated Marcel Cerdan, winning on a knockout in the tenth round to win the World Middleweight crown. 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. No one hit more homers in Tiger Stadium than Al Kaline, who belted 212 there, while hitting 187 on the road. Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. Luis Polonia, the Tigers' left fielder, wearing Willie Horton's No. Detroit responded quickly, trailing 7-6 after just three innings. 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. All rights reserved. To fit as many seats as possible in the expansion, the second deck was extended over the fence by 10 feet (3 m). [62][64][65] Following the game, an emotional ceremony with past and present Tigers greats was held to mark the occasion. The Fighting Irish won, 406. It was said the lights at the ballpark were so bright that it could light up a city of 10,000 people. the Nearest to me was Vintage. AL West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. (Nobody ever knew for sure just close of a target that upper deck really was. Excited to work with Vintage Detroit on future orders. I placed an order and received a follow up call within 24 hrs due to item was not available. Matt Monagan [28][29] The Texas Rangers claimed that the design of the right field section was copied and used in the construction of what is now Choctaw Stadium, but in fact the upper deck did not actually extend over the right field fence, but was set back by several feet. Through 1990, only two players had cleared the roof in left. A short while later I left with a new cap and a custom Fidrych T-shirt. [5], During the summer of 2010, a group calling itself "The Navin Field Grounds Crew" began maintaining the playing field and hosting vintage baseball, youth baseball, and softball games at the site. The home run record was reset to 235 three years later, during the Tigers' final campaign at Tiger Stadium. However, in just about every case, it had been occurred due to a stadium conflict or for a special reason. 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. [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. Awesome article Dan as usual! (Cerdan claimed he dislocated his shoulder in the first round.) FAQ. Sure, Tiger Stadium was a famously hitter-friendly ballpark, especially for lefties. In the Lions glory years of the 1950s, Detroit was considered one of the toughest venues in the league to play. It was part of a memorable summer as the city healed its wounds, got behind its baseball team ands flocked to the ballpark in record numbers. (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.). [53][54][55] Ted Williams won the 1941 game with a walk-off three-run home run. In 1964, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle had an idea he wanted to try. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Focus On Sport/Getty Images. 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.) The Tigers. the Yankees won that day, 22-2 the worst loss the Tigers ever suffered at home.). This is a true story and has been recorded in a magazine of tape measure home runs. There was a one-year spike in attendance but the 1994 baseball strike wiped out a lot of good will earned. The stadium's demolition was completed on September 21, 2009, though the stadium's actual playing field remains at the corner where the stadium stood. Fielder, 56, lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Diana, and their son, Maksim. [14], The stadium was seen in the 1980 feature film Raging Bull where it was the site of two of Jake LaMotta's championship boxing matches. As we stood at the vendor the entire stadium erupted. 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. Shipping Service Location: Heritage Park. Mickey Mantle, 1960, 643 Feet. [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. Among the performers that day: Erma Franklin, older sister of Aretha Franklin. At the end of its life, it had the shortest right-field and longest center-field distance in major-league baseball. 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 ballpark was also the scene of one of the darkest days in NFL history. I placed an order and received a follow up call within 24 hrs due to item was not available. I was a bit too far up the stands behind home plate to see it go out (the upper deck blocked my view), but I knew something had happened. highlights - the Tigers 1984 miracle season, and the stadium's most famous home run: a mammoth home run by Reggie Jackson off a light tower atop the right-field roof during the 1971 All-Star Game - and lowlights, such as October 9, 1934, when in the sixth inning of Game Seven of the World The unusual dimensions of the football field led to some odd happenings. Team owner George Vanderbeck constructed a 5,000-seat wooden facility, called Bennett Park, on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. . [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. [17], Over the years, expansion continued to accommodate more spectators. On June 27, 1963, he played an entire game at first base without a chance, as the Minnesota Twins won 10-6. [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. Buckeye Video 632 subscribers 5.2K 1M views 7 years ago Oakland A's vs. Detroit Tigers 8/25/90. In the first game Cash hit the shot over the roof and another home run off McClain. 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. 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. In addition to the movie 61*, two other films Tiger Town and Hardball had scenes filmed there. Junior was upset that Sparky had intentionally walked him so often. It would be 16 innings before either team scored again. called the stadium home in the late 1960s. It was the 29th home run to clear the roof in right field. My sons at 10 and 8 thought I was a genious. It was my 1st game and we sat in the upper deck in left field. In 1934, the Tigers won the AL pennant but lost the World Series to the Cardinals. There were very few concerts held over the years at The Corner. The distance of the home run has been estimated at up to 575 feet (175m). Or the blast off Gibson's bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. Thanks, J.D. The Lions abandoned it for the Pontiac Silverdome. One of those occurred on June 24, 1962. In left field, outfielders were known to jump up on the auxiliary scoreboard, grab the screen and reach several feet over the fence. The team played as the Detroit Cougars in the United Soccer Association. Although it was the park where he was booed regularly, Tiger Stadium played a huge role in Maris career. Al Kaline.). On October 24, 1971, Chuck Hughes, a 27-year-old wide receiver for Detroit, suddenly collapsed on the field at the end of a play. ),

The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. Trammell hit 97 homers at Tiger Stadium, good for 11th all-time. The Amercan League won the game 6-4, with two run homers by Jackson, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew. Norm Cash hit the most Homeruns over the Stadium. The right-field fence sat just 325 feet from home plate, and Jackson wasn't the only man to leave the stadium entirely.But Mr. October's blast -- off then-Pirates ace Dock Ellis, no less -- was gargantuan by any measure: According to Home Run Tracker's estimate, the ball traveled 532 feet or at least it would have, had the base of the light tower on the right-field roof not gotten in its way. [49][50] On July 13, 1934 at the stadium, Ruth hit his 700th career home run off Tigers' pitcher Tommy Bridges. Lou Gehrig said goodbye there. Before Reggie Jackson. [48] The area was nicknamed "Cobb's Lake". (AP Photo) AP Before Mr. October was Mr. October, he was Mr. July. [97], The pilot of the HBO series Hung featured the stadium's demolition in its opening scene. I bet that was a great experience, seeing Killebrews home run. The home run went to straightaway center field, clearing the stadium and landing into the street. Robinson flung his glove into the stands in disgust. For medical advice, always consult your medical doctor. Detroit's Police Athletic League (PAL) headquarters would relocate to the site and maintain the field. July 11, 2018. 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. This pole was in play. Three who did were Roberto Clemente in the 71 All-Star Game, Larry Herndon in 1983, and Mark McGwire in 1987. Historian Mark Gallagher estimated that the home run Mantle hit in September of 1960 at Tiger Stadium traveled a whopping 643 feet. As i pulled in I quickly understood this was a warehouse & office thinking this is a internet retailer. A year later, Tiger Stadium was in the national spotlight when Denny McLain became the first pitcher in 31 years to win 30 games. Our motto is simple: We enjoy doing cool things and are overjoyed we can make a living doing so. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! PAL would build its new headquarters and related facilities on the western and northern edges of the site while preserving the historic playing field for youth sports, including high school and college baseball. My sons still talk about it. In 1973, ground was broken for a stadium to exclusively house the Lions. But Chicago linebacker Dick Butkus, one of the toughest players to ever play the game, knew better. Mickey Mantle: On September 10, 1960, the Yankee slugger hit a home run out of Tiger Stadium against Frank Lary. 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. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Comerica Park is NICE; Tiger Stadium was GREAT!!!! Harmon Killebrew hit a home run that ricocheted off the left field roof and sounded like a gun blast off his bat. There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. Back to top. Singles by Mullin, Jimmy Bloodworth, and pinch-hitter Anse Moore plated another run for the Tigers in the seventh. This was their first stop and they sold out the place in record time. 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. Thats so true, every game can be legendary. [86] There was at one time also a sign on the enclosing fence labeling the site "Ernie Harwell Park". Denny McLain achieved one of the games rarest feats at the place they called The Corner. Dan: Great column. [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. Bill Freehan deserves special mention in that he hit exactly 100 home runs at Tiger Stadium and also 100 on the road. The field ran from the first base line, across the infield to the left-center-field fence. Navin Field opened on April 20, 1912, the same day as the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park. 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. Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run there in 1934. The NFL Lions left University of Detroit Stadium to move downtown. Ilitch began to make plans for a new ballpark downtown, breaking ground during the 1997 season. Discussion of suicide or self-harm is not tolerated and will result in an immediate ban. By the early 1990s the owner of the Tigers wanted a new luxurious ballpark for team. 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'. Extremely satisfied with the wonderful personable service! I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. 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. All three games featured home runs. Norm Cash led all left-handed batters with 212 home runs, most of them going into the right field sections. Two years earlier, he stunned the attendees at the MLB All-Star Game in Detroit's Tiger Stadium by hitting a home run more than 400 feet; the ball hit the base of the light tower at the park. [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. 23, hit a 435-foot blast into the lower deck in right field to lead off the . 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). (In those days, home games were blacked out 75 miles from the site of competition. Center field was even farther 467 feet. The green box was considered a home-run haven. Out of concern for the neighborhood, the team moved a series to Baltimore. New Richmond Flying Squirrels ballpark Thanks for reading. It seemed like Rusty Staub hit more than his fair share of those, and Dave Bergman too. 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. 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. This did not include wildcat seats that were built on the rooftops on houses located behind the left-field fence. 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. Customer Service Such was life at The Corner.). Winning pitcher Jim Bouton tossed seven scoreless innings for the victory. , The Metropolitan Museum of Art has one of the best baseball card collections in the world thanks to one man, By 11,111 home runs Aaron Judge (2017) - 513 feet in Miami Answerbag wants to provide a service to people looking for answers and a good conversation. Have we seen the last fastball from Zumaya as a Tiger? 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. The Home Run Encyclopedia gives an account of one of Ruth's longest drives and one of the longest hit ever. (For one season 1954 the Tigers shortened right field to 302 feet. On June 27, 1963, he played an entire game at first base without a chance, as the Minnesota Twins won 106. Yankee Stadium is listed in the credits at the end of the film as being played by Tiger Stadium. [41], In the early 1970s, the city of Pontiac and its community leaders made a presentation to the Metropolitan Stadium Committee of a 155-acre (0.63km2) site on the city's eastern boundary, north of M-59 and near the intersection with Interstate 75 (I-75).