There have been a number of historic homers hit at Tiger Stadium including Babe Ruth’s 700th homer, the Ted Williams shot that won the 1941 All-Star Game in the bottom of the ninth, Reggie Jackson’s 1971 All-Star Game homer off the light standard, and Kirk Gibson’s 1984 World Series blast off of Goose Gossage.
Yet perhaps the most remarkable one occurred on June 9, 1959 in the Detroit Public High School championship game between Cass Tech and Northwestern at Briggs Stadium.
In the first inning, Northwestern catcher William Horton, a stocky 16-year-old sophomore from the Jeffries Project drove a ball into orbit that landed on the stadium’s right center field roof before it struck a light standard and fell into the stands. It was estimated to have traveled 450 feet.
Years later, William, better known as Willie by Tigers fans, recalled the home run in his 2004 autobiography, The People’s Champion: Willie Horton.
“The ball exploded off my bat and it kind of shocked me. I had never hit a ball quite that hard before. I just stood there and the umpire had to tell me to run. To be honest, not many people in the stands applauded my blast because it was primarily Cass Tech supporters in the early innings. The principal at Northwestern wouldn’t let students out of school early to see the game and our fans didn’t show up until the middle innings.”
Northwestern ended up winning the championship that day 13-10 as Horton went 2 for 4 with a homer, a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. However, the teenager’s legendary moon shot became the talk of the town.
Two years later Horton signed with the Tigers. However, he was disappointed when the team decided to convert him from a catcher to an outfielder. The reason? The club had signed a catcher out of the University of Michigan. You may have heard of him. His name is Bill Freehan. Incidentally, Freehan’s signing caused another catcher to be converted to the outfield: the one and only Gates Brown.
As a footnote, Willie Horton’s Northwestern teammates included future American League batting champion Alex Johnson, and Matt Snorton who would later play football at Michigan State and with the Denver Broncos.
Northwestern High School catcher Willie Horton, 16, (right) celebrates the PSL championship with coach Sam Bishop and teammate Matt Snorton on June 9, 1959 at Briggs Stadium.
Karen Elizabeth Bush
Bill —
You, Willie, George Cantor, and I know that ball hit the roof and the light tower. Cantor talked about it later in one of his columns. I knew it almost at the time, because ushers who’d been on hand for the Northwestern game were still talking about it when the Tigers were back in town. Only Joe Falls denied it — almost to his dying day. “IT NEVER HAPPENED,” he’d declare. I’ve never known why.
Eric Bishop
Sam Bishop picturesd above is my grandfather. I was touched to see this picture. Thank You.
JEROME DOUGHTON
ERIC BISHOP YOUR GRANDFATHER MR BISHOP WAS A GREAT GREAT MAN, WE ALWAYS CALL HIM MR BISHOP, I ALSO PLAYED BASTEBALL FOR MR BISHOP. HE USE TO KEEP OUR GYM FLOOR REALLY NICE JUST LIKE THE COLLEGE FLOORS ARE NOW, HE WAS DOING THAT BACK IN 1950’S i WILL NEVER FOR GET MR SAM BISHOP, HE LEARN ME A LOTS. JEROME DOUGHTON
Eric Bishop
I just saw this. If you do, thank you for that memory
Bob Henige
Bill,
I am interested in obtaining permission to use this photo of the 1959 Northwestern High School baseball team for my new sports book. If you could drop me an email, I can explain what the book is all about.
Thanks,
Bob Henige