Historic Home Run Made ’71 a Classic

Al Kaline still recalls the distinct sound and the spectacular sight as though it was yesterday, instead of 34 years ago.

Kaline was an outfielder representing the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 All-Star game when American League teammate Reggie Jackson smacked a home run off a Tiger Stadium light tower.

“It was one of those hits, when the bat hit the ball, it had a tremendous ringing noise,” Kaline said recently in the home clubhouse at Comerica Park, which replaced Tiger Stadium five years ago and will host this year’s All-Star game on Tuesday.

“I had a great view from the dugout. It was still going up with plenty of steam when it hit the tower on the roof in right. Nobody knows how far that could’ve gone.”

The lore of that 1971 All-Star game -- the last midsummer classic in Detroit -- has grown so much that many consider it to be the best ever.

The ’71 game featured 18 future Hall of Famers and Jackson’s memorable homer.

The AL beat the National League 6-4 on July 13, 1971, snapping an eight-game losing streak -- only to go until 1983 before winning again. Detroit also welcomed All-Star games in 1941 and ’51 at Briggs Stadium -- which later was named Tiger Stadium.

The runs in ’71 scored on six homers, all hit by future Hall of Famers, including home run king Hank Aaron’s first home run in his 17th All-Star game.

Frank Robinson followed Jackson’s two-run homer in the third inning with another two-run homer, scoring Rod Carew, to put the AL ahead for good. Robinson became the first player to hit home runs for both leagues in All-Star games.

“There were a lot of great moments in that game, including one that a lot of people don’t talk about,” Kaline said. “Johnny Bench’s home run carried deep into the right-center field bleachers, and that was really impressive.

“Without question, it was one of the best All-Star games.”