After the game, it was revealed Hughes had passed away from a heart attack. [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. 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. 11,111 home runs There were over 30 home runs hit onto the right field roof over the years. Matt Monagan On September 28, 1964, the league scheduled Detroit to host Green Bay on a Monday night. Unlike some teams that played in baseball parks, the Lions made no attempt to cover the infield. Ficks homer hit the roof in right and just missed going out of the stadium. Norm Cash hit the most Homeruns over the Stadium. Future Legends Sports Complex (Northern Colorado Owlz) None had occurred since 1955. [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. When baseball's biggest stars need a haircut, they come to Jos 'Jordan' Lpez, By /news/1567868500869-kirk-gibson-hits-home-run-clear-over-tiger-stadium-roof-video The following inning, Dick Wakefield sent a Ferriss pitch over the wall for a solo home run, his third homer of the season. All in all, however, the ballpark had a helluva good run. The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. It is believed to be the only time in the sports history this has occurred. The NFL Lions left University of Detroit Stadium to move downtown. Frank Navin, who bought the team in 1908, was a man with big ideas. By the 1970s, the ballpark was beginning to show its age. ORDER YOURS NOW! 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 most notable one easily was a KISS concert held on June 28, 1996. . This was their first stop and they sold out the place in record time. In 1961, John Fetzer bought the team and renamed its home Tiger Stadium. Detroit OF Rocky Colavito tied a major-league record when he went 7-for-10 in the game. 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! 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. Robert Fick hit a grand-slam homer to help Detroit to an 8-2 win over Kansas City. [2] As the team improved, so did the capacity of the ballpark, capping out at 14,000. The stadiums demolition was completed on September 21, 2009, though the stadiums actual playing field remains at the corner where the stadium stood. Non-Baseball Events Held at Tiger Stadium The year 1938 was significant in the ballparks history. On September 10, 1960, Mickey Mantle hit a home run over the right-field roof at Tiger Stadium. It just shows that, when you buy a ticket to a game, you just might witness a bit of history. Proudly powered by WordPress | 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. Awesome article Dan as usual! The third deck in right field would be 75 feet high and 375 feet from home plate. New Tennessee Smokies ballpark. The benches for both the Lions and their opponents were on the outfield side of the field. A World Series victory in 1984 didnt seem to help. Theme: Envo Blog. 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. Center field was even farther 467 feet. 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. 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. Ilitch began to make plans for a new ballpark downtown, breaking ground during the 1997 season. [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. Cecil Fielder was the third player,. The last game at Tiger Stadium was on September 27, 1999. 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. 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? In left field, outfielders were known to jump up on the auxiliary scoreboard, grab the screen and reach several feet over the fence. 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. Before leaving Oakland for St. Louis, McGwire would become the fourth and final player to homer over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium, connecting off Brian Moehler on April 21, 1997. On April 15, 1999, Torii Hunter hit a home run off Brian Moehler at Tiger Stadium while playing for the Minnesota Twins. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. August Publications was formed in 2002 with the launch of Ballpark Digest. In the 17 years afterwards (before moving to Pontiac), they had few memorable days at Tiger Stadium. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! I was at Tiger Stadium in May 1971 when Reggie Jackson hit the ball over the right field roof. Briggs Stadium, as it was now known, held 53,000 seats. the Yankees won that day, 22-2 the worst loss the Tigers ever suffered at home.). Harmon Killebrew had 573 home runs over his career. A year later, Tiger Stadium was in the national spotlight when Denny McLain became the first pitcher in 31 years to win 30 games. 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 . Harmon Killebrew had 2,086 hits over his career. Once or twice a year, an outfielder would have to go behind the pole to chase an errant hit. The 1999 Tigers finished with a 69-92 record, but it felt like the stands were always full. Hence, for many years, everybody but the citizens of Detroit watched the annual Thanksgiving Day game.) I know Alan Trammell hit a lot of homeruns on the road while playing for Detroit, and as a total for his career, he hit 185 HRs total both on the road and at home. the Nearest to me was Vintage. 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. ),
The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) updates As part of this transfer, the green wooden seats were replaced with blue and orange plastic ones and the stadium's interior, which was green, was painted blue to match. Lynne asked what I was interested in and presented me with a great selection of Tigers caps and T-shirts. 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. 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. It hosted the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1912 to 1999, as well as the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) from 1938 to 1974. AL West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers. It was said the lights at the ballpark were so bright that it could light up a city of 10,000 people. 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. Target Field renovations, 2024 Ballparks Took everyones breath away. 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? In 1945, Hank Greenberg belted a grand slam late in the season that not only won the game for Detroit, but clinched the pennant. Where is Rocky Colviato (spelling) on the list? Fittingly, they lost to Denver, 31-27. Dismiss, Copyright 2022 Vintage Detroit Collection, Spinnaker Center, 44692 Helm St, Plymouth. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadium's right field roof four times in his career. What a game. Fetzer sold the team to a pizza magnate, Tom Monaghan. He hit some long HRs at Tiger Stadium. Teams had to stand on the same sideline in right field. Al Kaline takes aim at the seats in Tiger Stadium in the late 1950s. Writers described fire and smoke behind the outfield walls as a game went on. [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. Al Kaline used to scale the fences in right field to take away home runs, and he played that area so well that it became known as Kalines Corner.. Our motto is simple: We enjoy doing cool things and are overjoyed we can make a living doing so. 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 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. Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. To Ilitchs credit, he paid for several renovations that kept the park looking reasonable in its final years. Babe Ruth (60), Ted Williams (55), Jimmie Foxx (52), Mickey Mantle (42), Yogi Berra (37), Yaz (36). Big Frank Howard loved to hit there, as did Killebrew and Reggie and Ken Griffey Jr. They checked it over and off I went. Its unique dimensions allowed fans to get closer than usual to the ballgame. The Lions played football in Tiger Stadium from 1938 until the end of 1974, after which they moved into the Silverdome in Pontiac, a suburb over 30 miles away. PNC Park upgrades (Thirteen years earlier, he was the only player ever to homer over the center-field bleachers, which consisted of one deck at the time.) Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects) When did the Detroit Tigers Stadium get demolished? I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. [76] In June 2007, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation approved a plan to demolish the stadium, which needed approval from Detroit City Council. As part of the transfer, the city gave the place a major paint job, changing the interior from green to blue. He frantically signaled to the sidelines to get help for Hughes. Eric Chesterton 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. Due to the progression of the disease named after him, it was the final game of his career. Its first day was overshadowed by the news the Titanic hit an iceberg and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. (Cerdan claimed he dislocated his shoulder in the first round.) These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. This never happened. [62] In his career, Norm Cash hit four home runs over the Tiger Stadium roof in right field and is the all-time leader. FAQ. Historian Mark Gallagher estimated that the home run Mantle hit in September of 1960 at Tiger Stadium traveled a whopping 643 feet. Despite the fact The Corner wasnt being used much, the city of Detroit was on the hook for some $400,000 a year in maintenance. Obviously those CF home runs had to be close to 500 feet to clear the wall at that point. Thanks! Minute Maid Park upgrades 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. It would be 16 innings before either team scored again. 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. 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. 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. [41][43], In 1939, boxer Joe Louis defended his world heavyweight title with an eleventh-round knockout of Bob Pastor at the stadium. 10. 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. & quot;According to the Detroit Free Press book "The Corner", the following have hit HR's out of Tiger Stadium: Norm Cash (did it 4 times) Mickey Mantle (did it 3 times) Kirk Gibson (did it 3 times) Jason Thompson (did it twice) Mickey Tettlton (did it twice) Tony Clark . I put the location into google maps off I went. Thats so true, every game can be legendary. Negative racial/anti-Semitic, or religious stereotypes are prohibited. 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. Canseco, McGuire and Trammell also hit homers that day as well as another blast by Fielder. A fire gutted the press box on the evening of February 1, 1977. 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. Several years later, the country watched another memorable Thanksgiving Day game played in a blizzard that covered the field by halftime. norm cash home run out of tiger stadium. , Competition, joy and a little pain: Beep Baseball is a world of freedom for blind athletes, By 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. Mickey Mantle, 1960, 643 Feet. All three games featured home runs. 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. In 1967, the race riots that tore up the city of Detroit started less than two miles from the ballpark. Over the years, the distances gradually shortened down the lines. Monaghan sold the team to a pizza rival, Mike Ilitch, in 1992. Climb up to the roof and look around, Fenecksaid in 1999, the Tigers final summer at The Corner, and you wont believe how high and hard they have to hit the ball to do that.. 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. Bennett Park was still their home field, when six years later, they joined the AL as a charter member. 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. (For one season 1954 the Tigers shortened right field to 302 feet. 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. 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. I will never forget it. [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. Good article. 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 . . To make the park appear like Yankee Stadium, the parks seats were painted green and a skyline of the Bronx was added. Left field was 345 feet away while right field was a monstrous 370 feet down the line. The bleachers had their own entrance, concession stands and restrooms. Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) was a stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. And the fans got rewarded with unusual moments such as a 22-inning game decided by a player who hit the only home run of his career to decide the game. That stadium was called Bennett Park and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield. He has four other children and four grandchildren. 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. But there was nothing anybody could do. [17], Over the years, expansion continued to accommodate more spectators. [51][52], The stadium hosted the 1941, 1951 and 1971 MLB All-Star Games. 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. But Chicago linebacker Dick Butkus, one of the toughest players to ever play the game, knew better. 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.
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