Monument Park

[erictelevision]

Before being redesigned in the late '70's, Yankee Stadium had Monument Park on the warning track. (right?) If so, how the heck did that work?

[Chisox73]

The mounuments at old Yankee Stadium was on the warning track close to center field,460 feet away from home plate.There were 3 mounuments when the Stadium was renovated after the 1973 season(Miller Huggins,Lou Gehrig,and Babe Ruth).

Any ball hit out that way was in play.Also,the dimensions were a lot different at the old stadium (457 to left center,461 dead center,296 down the right field line,301 down the left field line),so the chances of a batted ball rolling around the mounuments were pretty remote unless your name was Mickey Mantle.

I hope that I provided some helpful information for you.Also,you can pick up any book on ballparks and you could look at pictures of the old stadium just to see how far away the mounuments were.

[erictelevision]

Very helpful, thanks! I figured the reason was, as you said, a hitter would have to kill a ball for it to matter.

[Seattle1]

Which former Yankees are honored in Monument Park? (I've never been to Yankee Stadium.)

[soberdennis]

Along with the ones mentioned abovewho actually have monuments, I believe there are plaques for the players for whom the Yanks have retired numbers on the wall. There may be others honored there too. It's been a long time since I've been there.
The dimensions of the old stadium listed above are correct with one addendum. Just left of dead center was the deepest part of the park at 475. Also it was 463 to center, not 461.
Frank Howard hit a ball int o the monuments during the 63 WS for a double! (he was slow) Maury Will said that ball would have been in the 30th row at Chavez Ravine.

[bigworm_122]

mickey mantle & joe d also have monuments

their is also one remembering sept 11

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by soberdennis

Also it was 463 to center, not 461.

It only said 463 ft. after 1967. Before that it was 461 ft.. I'm not sure if the distance actually changed or they just remeasured it and made it accurate.

[Alibi Ike]

I know one of thre pre-renovation plaques was for Pope Paul (IV or VI) can't remember. Another was added in the late 70s for JP I believe (or was it JPII?). I know that there were two popes out there.

[soberdennis]

It was Paul VI and John Paul II. They held masses at the Stadium.

[jrh31584]

Originally Posted by Elvis9045

It only said 463 ft. after 1967. Before that it was 461 ft.. I'm not sure if the distance actually changed or they just remeasured it and made it accurate.

I've read that both were accurate, and that the 461 marker and the 463 marker were in different places.

[brooklyndodger14]

During the 1966-1967 renovation 461 distance marker covered up by the new public address loudspeaker tower and so they painted the 463 marker a few feet to the left.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[brooklyndodger14]

Originally Posted by erictelevision

Before being redesigned in the late '70's, Yankee Stadium had Monument Park on the warning track. (right?) If so, how the heck did that work?

Up to 1966, it was customary at Yankee Stadium for field level fans to exit via the warning track to 2 double width portals in the center field bleachers thru to the streets outside. (Does anyone remember if the bullpen gates also were used as fan exits back then?) It gave fans the chance to see the monuments close-up.

I remember how hot it would be to walk in front of the auxilliary scoreboards and feel the heat generated by the lights!

Check around for the stories Bob Costas and Billy Crystal tell about their seeing the monuments.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Rain Man]

By the way, Yankee Stadium originally was a lot larger back in the 20's.
Deepest center field was 550 feet. Years later it ended up at 461 feet before the renovation.

[Seattle1]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

By the way, Yankee Stadium originally was a lot larger back in the 20's. Deepest center field was 550 feet.

Oh I could hit it that far, no problem.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

By the way, Yankee Stadium originally was a lot larger back in the 20's.
Deepest center field was 550 feet. Years later it ended up at 461 feet before the renovation.

I believe it was 490, not 550. Braves field and Fenway were originally 550 to center.

[RichardLillard1]

Well it was 490 after they moved home plate forward in 1928 I read on one site that it was 500 before that so home was moved forward 10 feet. I don't remember where I put my book about Yankee Stadium but for some reason I am thinking they moved home plate forward about 15 feet but I could be wrong.