The Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000 but the Corner remained standing. Yet the story of his 565-foot moonshot still lives strong. the Yankees won that day, 22-2 the worst loss the Tigers ever suffered at home.). Cecil Fielder launched HR over Tiger Stadium roof 30 years ago They stayed at the ballpark until 1974 when they left to play in the 76,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome. Back in 21, Navin Field did not yet have the upper deck in center field that would later be a haven for diehard fans. the Nearest to me was Vintage. Since Detroit was driving for a score late in the game, some assumed Hughes was simply trying to stop the clock. Although it came nowhere close to 734 feet, ESPN determined an impressive true distance of 503 feet. Everyone has their own opinion. I just saw and heard the crowd going crazy.. Eric Chesterton Home runs that are hit out of the ball park are measured from where the batter stands to where the ball . Rogers Centre renovations When researchers delve into an older home run for a more accurate telling, they typically spoil everyone's party by deflating an embellished tale. He hits them a long way.". I was a little concerned it would let look as good as I hoped, but when I put it on, I loved it. "Examination of satellite and ground-based digital photos suggests that the 502-foot figure is an accurate measurement of the horizontal distance to the 'Red Seat,' but since the impact point was approximately 30 feet above field level, the ball would have covered more distance before landing at field level, had its flight not been interrupted.". ESPN Home Run Trackermeasured it as the longest shot since providing full data in 2008. Not bad at all, but. 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. 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. This memorable blow . 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). 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. Whether because of overinflated estimations or technical questions of eligibility for a list of MLB home runs, these notable exceptions missed the cut: Joey Meyer, a minor league first baseman for theDenver Zephyrs, hit a long ball onJune 3, 1987, which reportedly went a staggering 582 feet. There were occasional amateur games played there, a 2002 fantasy camp and occasional special segments were taped there. 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. Accurately measuring those moonshots isn't much easier. Robinson flung his glove into the stands in disgust. Detroit reliever Terry Fox threw eight scoreless innings of relief. When Ford Field hosted the 2006 Super Bowl, a tent on Tiger Stadiums field played host to the Bud Bowl, an event that featured (among other things), a performance by Snoop Dogg. Killabrew was in 62. Not knowing where the ball landed on April 4, 1988, the Mets outfielder stopped at second before receiving clearance to finish rounding the bases. Thank you so much, I can't wait to wear my jersey to a Wings game! On April 15, 1999, Torii Hunter hit a home run off Brian Moehler at Tiger Stadium while playing for the Minnesota Twins. By the way, the visitors who hit the most home runs at Navin Field/Briggs Stadium/Tiger Stadium 1912 to 1999 were Babe Ruth with 60 and Ted Williams with 55. I read that the ball nearly hit a police car on Trumbull ave.That is the longest HR i ever witnessed in person. Discussion of suicide or self-harm is not tolerated and will result in an immediate ban. 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. MLB.com also provides fans with a stable of Club beat reporters and award-winning national columnists, the largest contingent of baseball reporters under one roof, that deliver over 100 original articles every day. That much is known. Although it was the park where he was booed regularly, Tiger Stadium played a huge role in Maris career. Kept me posted every step of the way, literally. Not bad at all, but ESPN's Home Run Tracker determined that Williams deserves even more credit. Each time the noise grew louder and louder! "I don't think anyone could ever be comfortable getting a statue, I mean that respectfully," Thome said during the unveiling ceremony, per. However, in just about every case, it had been occurred due to a stadium conflict or for a special reason. Ironically, the visitors that day were the Minnesota Vikings, who rolled to an easy victory. With no concrete numbers for anything before 2006, evaluating all-time distances remains an inexact science. A year later, he returned to the stadium and retained his crown with a 15-round decision over Lauren Dauthuille. Probably well over 600 feet in total. Don said, Just go up there and let it go, hit the damn ball and get it done, Fielder said. It was one of five home runs Baseball Almanac listed as going at least 500 feet in 1998's record-setting season. 15. 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. There's a lesson for all the kids hoping to leave behind a lasting legacy: Stay humble, work hard and hit dingers. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) was formed and charged with developing, building and managing the most comprehensive baseball experience available on the Internet. Having hit 31 home runs in 506 at-bats with Toronto, in Japan Fielder produced 38 in only 384 at-bats. There was a one-year spike in attendance but the 1994 baseball strike wiped out a lot of good will earned. The date:April 17, 1953. June 3, 1987, which reportedly went a staggering. As for why the ballpark was built so big, Tiger Stadium plays a role there, too. 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. Guinness also clarifies that Mickey Mantle's home run measured at 643 feet (approximately 196 meters) is the longest home run measured "mathematically after the fact." This home run was hit at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on September 10, 1960. As reported by the New York Times' Joseph Durso, physics professorBob Moore said the ball would have carried 525 feet if not for hitting the lights. Mark McGwire's monster home run on May 16, 1998, probably didn't travel 545 feet, as initially estimated. Two months later, the Cubs traded him to the Yankees, wherehe put together the best stint of his career. Some of Susmans work has appeared in a Baseball Digest article on Mantles homers. In 1923, Navin increased capacity to 30,000. The Tigers Kirk Gibson hit a home run onto the street in 1983 but it was less than 600 feet. 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. We will definitely be dealing with Vintage Detroit again. (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.). This pole was in play. He installed an area in the lower deck (between first and third base) that had padded seats and added waitservice. 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. (For one season 1954 the Tigers shortened right field to 302 feet. Just ordered the military green Lions shirt and couldn't be happier. In the years he played for his hometown team, Kirk Gibson frequently displayed his power. 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. In virtually every other field of endeavor in which physical performance can be measured, there are no Ruthian equivalents. The first time, though, was in 1977, when Jason Thompson clubbed one out, literally seconds after my dad told me I think Thompson is gonna crush one out of the stadium. It was out of the park in a split second. 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. Thirty years after arriving in the Motor City, Fielder remembershis time in Detroit fondly. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Returns & Exchanges These batters hit the most home runs at Tiger Stadium You are correct about Howard. But not so fast. Thanks for reading. It was a rarity. ESPN's Home Run Tracker yielded a projected true distance of 443 feet. It all came down to the last game of the year at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 3. (In those days, home games were blacked out 75 miles from the site of competition. Its like the difference between hearing a PGA player tee off and an everyday golfer.. It is the only on-field death in the history of the league. Longest Home Runs Ever by Ballpark - Baseball Fever Detroit OF Rocky Colavito tied a major-league record when he went 7-for-10 in the game. Later measurement revealed the ball traveled close to 600 feet. They quoted an eyewitness, the late Paul Baldwin, who said the ball cleared 110- foot wide Trumbull Avenue adjacent to Tiger (then Briggs) Stadium and landed in the Brooks Lumber Yard across the street. New Hagerstown Atlantic League ballpark 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. Slate's John Pastiercalculated a similar distance of roughly 479 feet. 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. In August 2002, MLB.com streamed the first-ever live full length MLB game. "Yet again, we have an example of a genuinely epic home run that has been grievously overstated.". After failing to land free agents Pete OBrien and Kent Hrbek, Tigers general managerBill Lajoie went after Fielder. What do you get when you combine a block party and a baseball league? New St. Croix River Hounds ballpark, 2025 Ballparks Detroit was one of the first powers in the new league, advancing to the World Series three years in a row from 1907-09. Just so happened it was a heater and I don't know what happened.". I heard this particular home run on the radio and was so entranced by (announcer) Ernie Harwells description I always remembered it.. When baseball's biggest stars need a haircut, they come to Jos 'Jordan' Lpez, By September 14, 1991: When Cecil Fielder's home run left the ballpark 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. Comments. HELLO LOU BROCK OF THE CHICAGO CUBS HIT A HOMERUN IN THE CENTERFIELD BLEACHERS AT THE POLO GROUNDS IN A 1ST GAME OF A DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST THE NEW YORK METS ON 6-17-1962 and on 6-18-1962 hank AARON of the braves also hit a homerun in the centerfield bleachers a day after brock hit his. The seven-hour game is the second longest game in American League history. I wanted to play every day and I didnt have that opportunity in Toronto. The club went 68-86 and hit 18 fewer home runs than the year before. It was the type of park that inspired such feats. Innovative Field (Rochester Red Wings) upgrades Robert Fick hit a grand-slam homer to help Detroit to an 8-2 win over Kansas City. "It looks like beer's coming down.". The Tigers' Kirk Gibson hit a home run onto the street in 1983 but it was less than 600 feet. Only six batters hit as many as 20 homers that year. There were home runs that didnt seem to be home runs. In 1945, Hank Greenberg belted a grand slam late in the season that not only won the game for Detroit, but clinched the pennant. Tell us in the comments. 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. Shipping Service This blast off Glendon Rusch caromed off the center field awning for an estimated 504 feet. Skeptics will certainly be forgiven for doubting that distance, but others will prefer to simply believe. The league scheduled eight more games in the next five years. Although they only won six pennants during their tenure there, the hometown Tigers were often an interesting team with individual stars. 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. Despite the scarcity of film on. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Detroit Tigers OF Austin Meadows. This did not include wildcat seats that were built on the rooftops on houses located behind the left-field fence. A 575-foot dinger at Navin Field in Detroit isn't the most interesting of the tales, but it'd top this list. On June 14, 1983, Gibson belted a blast over the right field roof against the Red Sox. The team began a downward spiral on and off the field. Unlike some teams that played in baseball parks, the Lions made no attempt to cover the infield. 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. I remember watching the 1971 blast as a 12 year old on TV with my family living in Michigan at the time. Customer Service This is why: for decades during the earlier history of that ball park, the roofed, left-field spectator stands did not exist. Few thoughts will terrify a pitcher more than Giancarlo Stanton lurking inside a Coors Field batter's box. The Lions abandoned it for the Pontiac Silverdome. 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. On a 2-1 count, Fielder launched a fastball into the night as the ball carried down the line and smashed into the facing of the third deck for his 50th home run. All in all, however, the ballpark had a helluva good run. Several players have landed balls in top of it images, but never completely over it in the air. Hurry, offer ends 5/14/23.Use code: "MOM" at checkout! Babe Ruth (60), Ted Williams (55), Jimmie Foxx (52), Mickey Mantle (42), Yogi Berra (37), Yaz (36). In 1961, John Fetzer bought the team and renamed its home Tiger Stadium. Because owner Walter Briggs believed baseball should be played in the daytime, the Tigers were the last team in the American League to install lights, putting in the arcs in 1948. One of baseball's most unheralded sluggers, Jim Thome retired with the quietest 612 home runs and .956 OPS ever. The exact distance, however, remains disputed. Dozens of players have peppered the left field roof at batting practice, though. 1969 i attended my first game at Tiger Stadium the next day, Self correction. I said, 'I think we have something here.' Sweet Lou Whitaker, at just over 5 foot 10 and weighing a slim 160 pounds, was probably the least-likely prolific home run hitter at Tiger Stadium. I put the location into google maps off I went. Fittingly, Ficks blast was the final hit of any kind at Tiger Stadium. Three who did were Roberto Clemente in the 71 All-Star Game, Larry Herndon in 1983, and Mark McGwire in 1987. I don't live nearby so the ability to have it shipped for $10 was well worth the cost. Fittingly, they lost to Denver, 31-27. Willie Stargell scorched plenty of moonshots over his career. Good article. 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. The trajectory had it coming near me but it just never came down inside the ballpark! Skeptics will certainly be forgiven for doubting that distance, but others will prefer to simply believe. Bennett Park was still their home field, when six years later, they joined the AL as a charter member. Reportedly, the baseball landed across the intersection of Cherry and Trumbull. Copyright 2023 August Publications. 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.. Some of Gibson's home runs were pretty darn big (including a couple in the World Series) but one of Gibson's most memorable home runs came in June of 1983 when he hit a moon shot that cleared the roof of Tiger Stadium.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'detroitsportsnation_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',695,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-detroitsportsnation_com-medrectangle-4-0'); We sure miss Gibby playing for the Tigers and we REALLY miss Tiger Stadium!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'detroitsportsnation_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',898,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-detroitsportsnation_com-banner-1-0'); Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Mark McGwire made a living socking dingers for the St. Louis Cardinals. The poor sap who fed the Hall of Fame outfielder a gopher ball: Chuck Stobbs. 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. In the very first inning, the three sluggers delivered. Willie Horton hit a home run at Tiger Stadium when he was 16 years old during an all-city high school game. Partially because of that incident, a pad was put in place on the flagpole. In 1997, McGwire joined them. Recently got a blank jersey stitched at Vintage Detroit and the finished product looks awesome! It was later measured to be a 523-foot homer, with the ball landing on the lumber yard across the street from the stadium. There should be no doubt about the authentication of these conclusions. A World Series victory in 1984 didnt seem to help. Michigan native Rocky Roe was the home plate umpire. "An inning or so later, they told us it was charted at 484 feet. In 1921 alone, which was, best tape measure season, he hit at least one 500 foot home run in all eight American League cities. Coincidentally, Roewas the home plate umpire. Answerbag wants to provide a service to people looking for answers and a good conversation. 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. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he was an imposing figure for pitchers. On September 10, 1960, with two out and two on in the seventh, Mickey worked the count to 2-0. After the game, it was revealed Hughes had passed away from a heart attack. He was 38 years old in his 16th season, but he still went yard 28 times over 450 plate appearances and earned a .567 slugging percentage. (The next year, a screen was placed on top of the fence. A crowd of 13,380 at Yankee Stadium gave Fielder a standing ovation. Customer Service A 125-foot flagpole stood just to the left of the 440-foot sign in dead center field. In 1921, major league teams averaged 59 home runs. Maybe Mantle didn't quite hit it 565 feetWilliam Jenkinson suggested 510 feet as a better approximation. 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 unusual dimensions of the football field led to some odd happenings. 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. 2 others that hit the light towers. Even more unusual for the time, all three games were televised locally in an effort to distract minds of Detroiters. It would be 16 innings before either team scored again. Cecil Fielder stroked a two-run blast into the upper deck left-center field bleachers off of Dave Stewart for his 40th home run of the season, becoming the fourth Tiger ever to reach that mark in a season. In 1967, the race riots that tore up the city of Detroit started less than two miles from the ballpark. This writer trusts the newer, in-depth data (Statcast) over a ballpark number given without much supporting evidence, so Piazza makes the cut over other tape-measure hits reported at greater distances. He frantically signaled to the sidelines to get help for Hughes. The ballpark was also the scene of one of the darkest days in NFL history. Send a Message. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. As a kid in May 1967? Cecil Fielder became a Tigers superstar, thanks to Sparky Anderson's positivity, Dick Tracewski's indelible impact helped Tigers win two World Series titles, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. On November 28, 1974, the Lions played their last game at Tiger Stadium. Service and shipping were exceptional. This was their first stop and they sold out the place in record time. Saw Herndons line shot to center. I put the location into google maps off I went. Most Home Runs hit at Tiger Stadium* Al Kaline 226 Norm Cash 212 Hank Greenberg 187 Lou Whitaker 146 Rudy York 140 Cecil Fielder 130 Willie Horton 127 Dick McAuliffe 107 Lance Parrish 102 Bill Freehan 100 * (previously Briggs Stadium & Navin Field) Most Homers hit by opposing players OnJuly 3, 1999, the Cleveland Indians star sent a ball screaming an estimated 511 feet. The history of Comerica Park's wide dimensions - MLB If he hit that one, he might have hit it right out of Tiger Stadium.. With the OPEN sign light I though well came all this way just aswell give it a try and am I glad I did. Quick shipping as well. At the end of its life, it had the shortest right-field and longest center-field distance in major-league baseball. Or the blast off Gibsons bat that landed on the roof of the lumber yard across Trumbull Avenue. Jenkinson's findings serve as the basis for the used mark of 530 feet. Field of Dreams ballpark (Dyersville, IA) (Rumor was this came at the behest of the teams first star, Ty Cobb.) "The Rockies credited Piazza with a 496-foot home run, but their procedure for measuring home runs at the time did not attempt to include the additional distance the ball would have flown had it not landed on the concourse," ESPN's blurb said in defense of its enhanced projection. Lou Gehrig said goodbye there. He never played another game. "ESPN's Stats & Info Group marks the landing point at 496 feet from home plate and 26 feet above field level.". Trammell hit 97 homers at Tiger Stadium, good for 11th all-time. Detroit Tigers all-time home run leaders as of October 2022 Number of home runs Al Kaline Norm Cash Miguel Cabrera Hank Greenberg Willie Horton Cecil Fielder Lou Whitaker Rudy York Lance. Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz Bookmark. When I interviewed Sam he didnt hesitate an instant as he pinpointed the exact landing site.. Ilitch began to make plans for a new ballpark downtown, breaking ground during the 1997 season. The latter once flipped off Sparky Anderson after hitting a home run into the right field upper deck in 1993. Off-field problems derailed his path to superstardom, but his Montreal moonshot serves as a reminder of his off-the-charts power. But it burns bright in the memories of hitters like Tom Matchick. Thats one of the reasons fans in Detroit were dumbfounded on July 18, when The Big Fella, a muscular slugger for the Yankees named Babe Ruth, did something no one had ever done before. One of the hardest ever at the corner was a blast by Jimmie Foxx deep into left center, just to the left of the center field scoreboard. Myshak Metro Ballpark (Edmonton Prospects) After lining out in his next plate appearance, in the fourth inning he faced rookie left-hander Steve Adkins with one on and two out. With the OPEN sign light I though well came all this way just aswell give it a try and am I glad I did. Longest Home Run Ever Hit. The exact distance, however, remains disputed. Big Frank Howard loved to hit there, as did Killebrew and Reggie and Ken Griffey Jr. As I approached the area I quickly realized I was in more an industrial & commercial area then retail. The longest home runs hit at Tiger Stadium in Detroit But . That afternoon, facing Ty Cobb and the Tigers, Ruth smacked a pitch so high, so far, that the baseball must have looked like a distant star to the sparse crowd of about 3,000 who were in Navin Field, which is what the ballpark later known as Tiger Stadium was known as then. 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. By the time television and football began its long, happy marriage, Detroit was well established as the home field for the annual Thanksgiving Day game. Please let us know when you find out. 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. 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. Also I remember that it was thought to be a greater fete to hit one over the left field roof than in right field. This list includes icons, Hall and Famers and rakers who wielded unquestionably elite power. A Mickey Mantle buff claims a 1960 home run hit out of Tiger Stadium by the former New York Yankees star is the longest ever measured 643 feet, .0069 inches. Excludes Adidas Primegreen jerseys and e-Gift Cards. George Brett loved the park, and in his final game at Tiger Stadium in an afternoon tilt in 1993, he hit two homers, one to right and one to left (I was there!). I grew up in Bridgeport Michigan. Tiger Stadium didnt go down easily. Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton marveled at Stargells homer hit against his Los Angeles Dodgers. Crews, who recently moved into the LSU all-time Top 10 list for home runs, launched a three-run dinger - his 12th homer of the season - in the third inning to increase the Tigers' lead to. As a result, no assortment of baseball's longest blasts can be considered 100 percent credible. Once or twice a year, an outfielder would have to go behind the pole to chase an errant hit.