[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. [31][32][33], Tiger Stadium featured an upper and lower deck bleacher section that was separated from the rest of the stadium. (Nobody ever knew for sure just close of a target that upper deck really was. A short while later I left with a new cap and a custom Fidrych T-shirt. The score was now 8-4. Dont forget about Frank Howard. The following inning, Dick Wakefield sent a Ferriss pitch over the wall for a solo home run, his third homer of the season. By the time Detroits 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 fights. It was Hunters first major league home run, and it was a doozy a deep fly to right center field that landed in the lower deck. I sat myself in the upper deck left seats and waited for the big guy to hit #50, to join George Foster, who I had cheered for since mt Dad was a Reds fan. [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. Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the campus of Louisiana State University. 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. By making it possible for the upper deck to stand directly above the lower deck, the support columns allowed the average fan to sit closer to the field than at any other ballpark. 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. She is very accommodating and made me feel at home, especially since I was unaware they don't operate a standard retail shop. All rights reserved. (The Cubs claimed their last World Series title there in 1908.) The game was televised only to Green Bay. Cash hit the ball over Tiger Stadiums right field roof four times in his career. 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. Mantle is generally credited with the longest home run of all time, a clout that left Tiger Stadium on Sept. 10, 1960, and landed in a lumberyard across the street. 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! There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. [14], In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new ballpark built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. The Lions last title came in 1957. Order Tracking But there was nothing anybody could do. Football at Tiger Stadium was an adventure. 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. It was out of the park in a split second. New Salt Lake Bees ballpark [69] Among performers at the nightclub-style event was Snoop Dogg. Cecil signed an autograph for me the next year at the stadium, on my birthday in fact. Lynne asked what I was interested in and presented me with a great selection of Tigers caps and T-shirts. [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. ), But the biggest move came in 1938. 11,111 home runs (Oddly. ", "Home run facts from The Corner in Detroit", "September 27, 1999: Tears and cheers: Tiger Stadium hosts final game", "Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers Box Score, September 27, 1999", "Closing ceremony brought a lineup of stars back to Tiger Stadium", "The Unknown Kid Who Hit the Real Last Home Run at Tiger Stadium", "Tiger Stadium rises from the ashes for Bud Bowl 2006", "A six-pack to go at Tiger Stadium's hallowed ground", "Detroit Should Sell Tiger Stadium As Is Summer of Privatization", "The Navin Field Grounds Crew: Detroit Diehards Stand on Sacred Grounds", "Detroit EDC OKs plan to tear down Tiger Stadium", "Council OKs Detroit ballpark's demolition", "NEW! 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 unusual dimensions of the football field led to some odd happenings. [57][58], On April 7, 1986, Dwight Evans hit a home run on the first pitch of Opening Day. 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. [53] The ball was also carrying well in the 1951 and 1971 games. 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. Thanks, J.D. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. The first night game at the stadium was held on June 15, 1948. By the time Detroits 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 fights. The third deck in right field would be 75 feet high and 375 feet from home plate. 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. Extremely satisfied with the wonderful personable service! He responded by going four-for-five in his third game as a major leaguer. Have Your Own Jersey? ORDER YOURS NOW! [4] A week into demolition, it was announced that the field, foul poles, and flagpole would be preserved. Everyone has their own opinion. A post-game ceremony brought back just about famous ex-Tiger who was still alive for one last salute. As we stood at the vendor the entire stadium erupted. For the film, computer-generated visual effects were used to make Tiger Stadium resemble Yankee Stadium in 1961. The team played as the Detroit Cougars in the United Soccer Association. It was the 29th home run to clear the roof in right field. [3], Like other older baseball stadiums such as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, Tiger Stadium offered "obstructed view" seats, some of which were directly behind a steel support column; while others in the lower deck had sight lines obstructed by the low-hanging upper deck. Hinchliffe Stadium renovations 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. AL West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers. Good article. 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). 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. 10. This never happened. The Home Run Encyclopedia gives an account of one of Ruth's longest drives and one of the longest hit ever. Customer Service [93][94], In the summer of 2000, the HBO movie 61* was filmed at Tiger Stadium. [54][55] Of the many home runs in those games, the most often replayed is Reggie Jackson's drive to right field that hit so high up in the light tower that the TV camera lost sight of it, until it dropped to the field below. BATON ROUGE, La. The NFL Lions left University of Detroit Stadium to move downtown. The ballparks other famous boxing matches involved Jake LaMotta. [63], Tiger Stadium saw exactly 11,111 Major League home runs. 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! 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. A few players, very few, hit home runs into the bleachers in straightaway center field, an incredible 440 feet away. These were not temp help that knew nothing these were professionals who knew not just everything but were truly looking out for me. In September 1990, I was making the trip from Traverse City down to Toledo, Ohio, to visit my grandmother. In 1949, he defeated Marcel Cerdan, winning on a knockout in the tenth round to win the World Middleweight crown. Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) updates 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 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. A doctor who was sitting in the stands tore from his seat, broke past an official and ran to help Hughes. The benches for both the Lions and their opponents were on the outfield side of the field. On July 9, 1965, Stormin' Norman hit an inside-the-park home run against the A's at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. Buckeye Video 632 subscribers 5.2K 1M views 7 years ago Oakland A's vs. Detroit Tigers 8/25/90. Lynn worked with me to swap out to something similar excellent customer service. Focus On Sport/Getty Images. , The Metropolitan Museum of Art has one of the best baseball card collections in the world thanks to one man, By Detroit reliever Terry Fox threw eight scoreless innings of relief. Team owner George Vanderbeck constructed a 5,000-seat wooden facility, called Bennett Park, on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. Some call this the longest home run ever hit. [45], Northern Irish professional soccer club Glentoran F.C. [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. To fit as many seats as possible in the expansion, the second deck was extended over the fence by 10 feet (3 m). They checked it over and off I went. Lynne asked what I was interested in and presented me with a great selection of Tigers caps and T-shirts. 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. On April 15, 1999, Torii Hunter hit a home run off Brian Moehler at Tiger Stadium while playing for the Minnesota Twins. The Lions abandoned it for the Pontiac Silverdome. Coincidentally, Fielders counterpart at first base that day was Mark McGwire, who had hit his very first major league tater exactly four years earlier. [41][43], In 1939, boxer Joe Louis defended his world heavyweight title with an eleventh-round knockout of Bob Pastor at the stadium. It bounced twice before plopping over the edge and onto the street. The green box was considered a home-run haven. Cabrera My whole family was there. Innovative Field (Rochester Red Wings) upgrades 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. ),
The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. Have Your Own Jersey? The home run went to straightaway center field, clearing the stadium and landing into the street. Tettleton, who cleared the stadium roof Friday night against the Angels, did it again in the . PNC Park (Pirates) That pocket is the deepest part of the park at 410 feet, 11 feet farther than dead center. 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. Eric Chesterton It was an effort by a local sports management company to bring a Frontier League franchise to Detroit. [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. Thanks for reading. Or the blast off Gibsons bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. Cecil Fielder clears left field roof at Tiger Stadium. 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 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. In 1895, Detroit had a team in the Western League, an eight-team loop that eventually melded into the American League. Cecil Fielder hits homerun over Tiger stadium roof.. This did not include wildcat seats that were built on the rooftops on houses located behind the left-field fence. Talk about luck, but wow were they wrong. [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. Hence, for many years, everybody but the citizens of Detroit watched the annual Thanksgiving Day game.) The bleachers had their own entrance, concession stands and restrooms. On November 28, 1974, the Lions played their last game at Tiger Stadium. It was the final Major League hit, home run, and RBI in Tiger Stadium's history. Or the blast off Gibson's bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. 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. The field ran from the first base line, across the infield to the left-center-field fence. That stadium was called Bennett Park and featured a wooden grandstand with a wooden peaked roof in the outfield. Although the ballpark suffered little damage, the citys name was sullied. It is the home stadium of the LSU Tigers football team . 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. 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 ball actually sailed right over the right field roof of the ballpark, which is mind-boggling to contemplate. 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. 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. South African leader Nelson Mandela spoke before 49,000 people. Fielder, 56, lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Diana, and their son, Maksim. Bennett Park was still their home field, when six years later, they joined the AL as a charter member. The Tigers. 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. 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. [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. 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. 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. [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. [30], Due to then-owner Walter Briggs's dislike of night baseball, lights were not installed at the stadium until 1948. Berry lay injured while Horton, who was hardly fleet afoot, circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run. - Advertisement - Check it out. In the decade after the Tigers vacated the stadium, several rejected redevelopment and preservation efforts finally gave way to demolition. He grabbed his crotch and Sparky was not happy about it. Quick shipping as well. Hughes was quickly wheeled off the field, which eerily ended minutes later. The Fighting Irish won, 406. 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. 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.. [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. [51][52], The stadium hosted the 1941, 1951 and 1971 MLB All-Star Games. At the end of its life, it had the shortest right-field and longest center-field distance in major-league baseball. He hit his first home run of the 1961 season there. I had a chance to see a few games at Fenway, and while it is great, Tiger Stadium was more historic. All in all, however, the ballpark had a helluva good run. Along Trumbull Avenue, 24 town homes were planned for sale. The Amercan League won the game 6-4, with two run homers by Jackson, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew. [78], In October 2007, an online auction of the stadium's memorabilia was held by Schneider Industries, which drew $192,729. Thats so true, every game can be legendary. A short while later I left with a new cap and a custom Fidrych T-shirt. Tiger Stadium saw exactly 11,111 home runs, the last a right field, rooftop grand slam by Detroits Robert Fick as the last hit in the last game played there. By: WBRZ Sports. On June 11, 1961, Cash became the first Detroit Tiger to hit a home run ball out of Tiger Stadium. Purchased a New Era Gruff Michigan Syaye hat, and I absolutely love it. Cecil Fielder takes a gingerly stroll on the roof of Tiger Stadium in 1993. But Jackson, trying hard to make fans . 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.) Among the performers that day: Erma Franklin, older sister of Aretha Franklin. Purchased a New Era Gruff Michigan Syaye hat, and I absolutely love it. [97], The pilot of the HBO series Hung featured the stadium's demolition in its opening scene. (The movie Detroit Rock City was based on this concert.). He frantically signaled to the sidelines to get help for Hughes. Monaghan sold the team to a pizza rival, Mike Ilitch, in 1992. Another outfield oddity was a ledge that fielders used to jump onto to try to snare balls headed for the seats. 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. Some managers felt a line should be drawn on the pole and that any ball hit above the line would be a home run. 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. By the 1970s, the ballpark was beginning to show its age. Minnesotas Harmon Killebrew had been the first in 1962, followed six years later by Washingtons Frank Howard. Denny McLain achieved one of the games rarest feats at the place they called The Corner. [2] Spotlights were added above the warning track to illuminate the area beneath the overhang. If in doubt, leave it out. As part of the transfer, the city gave the place a major paint job, changing the interior from green to blue. Awesome article Dan as usual! Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects) 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. 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. That ball is measured at 634 . The ballparks history actually dated back to 17 years before its generally accepted debut. Even better, the homer cut the AL's deficit from 3-0 to 3-2, and helped the Junior Circuit earn a 6-4 win -- snapping the NL's eight-game winning streak in the Midsummer Classic. Historian Mark Gallagher estimated that the home run Mantle hit in September of 1960 at Tiger Stadium traveled a whopping 643 feet. Jim Thome. Depending who you talk to, the upper deck in right field was built to hang 5-10 feet over the warning track. [25] A new flagpole in the spirit of Tiger Stadium's pole was positioned in fair play at Comerica Park until the left field fence was moved in closer prior to the 2003 season. Gibson hit 95, and Gehringer hit 92. [48], On July 18, 1921, Babe Ruth hit what is believed to be the longest verified home run in Major League Baseball history. Negative racial/anti-Semitic, or religious stereotypes are prohibited. (For one season 1954 the Tigers shortened right field to 302 feet. The most notable one easily was a KISS concert held on June 28, 1996. Some opposing players seemed to shine at Tiger Stadium. The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. She is very accommodating and made me feel at home, especially since I was unaware they don't operate a standard retail shop. New Hagerstown Atlantic League ballpark Harmon Killebrew had 2,086 hits over his career. A record that cant be broken, You are correct he hit 4 out of the Stadium. Remembering the Red Wings gritty Martin Lapointe. [49][50] On July 13, 1934 at the stadium, Ruth hit his 700th career home run off Tigers' pitcher Tommy Bridges. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. But #50 was a rocket into the upper deck. When was the last Tigers game at Tiger Stadium? I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. In 1895, Detroit Tigers owner George Vanderbeck had a new ballpark built at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues. Stopped by Wed morning 7/6 and had the pleasure of dealing directly with Lynne. Ruth hit 60 homers there, the most by any visiting ballplayer. [24] The same flag pole was to be brought to Comerica Park, but this never happened. It was the first Notre Dame football game to be played at night. Cecil Fielder was only Tiger to clear Tiger Stadiums left-field roof. The team began a downward spiral on and off the field. In 1973, ground was broken for a stadium to exclusively house the Lions. Many fans were saddened when the last game was played at "The Corner". 2023 Ballparks There were moments of joy to behold down the stretch. PNC Park Especially into August and September, the stadium was packed with fans making one last pilgrimage..