Baseball
Related: About this forumOn this day in 1960: Mickey Mantle hit baseball's longest home run--an estimated 643 feet.
Sept. 10, 1960.
Details of the Home Run:
Date: September 10, 1960.
Location: Detroit, at Tiger Stadium.
Opponent: Detroit Tigers.
Pitcher: Paul Foytack.
Distance: 643 feet.
Path: The ball cleared the stadium's right-field roof and landed in the warehouse of Brooks Lumber.

SheltieLover
(73,583 posts)


BeyondGeography
(40,647 posts)Mantle used a much heavier bat when he hit right-handed because he felt stronger on that side of the plate.
anciano
(1,947 posts)a genuine legend.
chicoescuela
(2,295 posts)The kids today hit monster shots today of 475 feet
Another 170 feet doesnt seem possible to me
IbogaProject
(4,943 posts)Sometimes they hit the bleachers breaking the full arc.
brush
(61,033 posts)chicoescuela
(2,295 posts)He hit some bombs but 565 or 600 plus? I cant buy it
rsdsharp
(11,281 posts)Supposedly, Yankees PR guy Red Patterson left the stadium, found a kid with the (a?) ball, and paid him $5.00 for the ball and to show Patterson where the ball had come to rest. Paterson paced off the distance and came up with 563 feet. It was later changed to 565 feet after he factored in the width of the back wall of the stadium.
Privately, Mantle said he didnt think Patterson ever left the stadium.
brush
(61,033 posts)than the one the OP is about. I don't recall hearing about the Detroit shot.
rsdsharp
(11,281 posts)ProfessorGAC
(74,372 posts)For nearly 50 years, the physics suggest the difference between a baseball & a golf ball distance is 2.3 - 2.8. (The larger number as gold technology improved.
A long home run (450 feet) was a 345 yard drive, which the absolutely longest hitters could do in the 70s.
A 600 foot home run would be a 1780 for drive. That's 590 yards. Nobody could do that except down an airport runway.
The physics just don't work.
brush
(61,033 posts)Auggie
(32,547 posts)I made to it Cleveland and saw Cecconi's no near-hitter at Progressive Field Monday night vs KC. Our guys scored 10 runs too. Spent the bucks to sit behind home plate. Awesome evening.
Diamond_Dog
(38,434 posts)I watched that whole game on TV (well, I watch every game). I shouldve told you to make a sign for me to see!
Im so glad you saw that great game! I hope you had a good time! How was your experience?
All of a sudden weve got four extremely capeable starters (Messick, Ciccone, Cantillo, and Bibee joined them last night pitching a 2 - hit shutout). Smith has done an excellent job as closer too.
We got Ciccone in exchange for Josh Naylor.
Auggie
(32,547 posts)Progressive Field is a great venue. Good sight lines and easy in and out. Surprised that nearly all transactions are by digital payment. Biggest annoyance IMO is the between innings entertainment -- a cacophony of loud music and screeching.
Something the radio or TV viewer might not pick up: after a productive hit by Ramírez the crowd chants a sweet little "José" melody. It's almost prayer-like.
Ciccone for Naylor -- I'll take decent pitching over decent hitting any day.
I hate that this post season chance might be decided by that 10 game losing streak. Six left vs Detroit and three vs Texas. Won't be easy to catch Seattle (though they have to play the Astros and Dodgers).
Diamond_Dog
(38,434 posts)I have not been up there for a couple years, and dont know when Ill ever make it back, but I hope to. My arthritis isnt helping, for sure. Even though you see more of the game on TV, theres something magical about attending a game in person there. We used to drive up to the Rapid Transit station off Green Rd.and take a train to Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland, get off there, and walk through the sky bridge and across the street to get to a game. I enjoyed that. My middle son saw a game last year in the brand new Texas Rangers park, and he said it doesnt hold a candle to Clevelands ballpark.
I totally agree about the loud noise blasting from the PA during inning change. Maybe the younger folks like it. I can do without it.
José is much beloved in Cleveland! As is obvious. The crowd chanting his name happens a lot.
Now we just need Texas and Seattle to lose a few games!