Leveraging Ballparks

Note: this article first appeared as a guest column on Fire Brand of the AL on 6.3.07.

During the latest round of the Yankees / Red Sox rivalry, I think it’s important to look at the historical distinctions between the two teams. One is famously defined by success, the other of failure. There are countless explanations given for the vast disparity in success over the past 100 years, ranging from the logical (the lack of a deep pitching staff), to the shameful (the failure to integrate), to the reactionary (they can’t win the big one) to the absurd (a near century-old curse). One aspect, consistently ignored, is the effect of the ballpark on the performance of the club during the day-to-day grind of the baseball season. I contend that the proper leveraging of talent and its relation to the physical structure of the ballpark will have a dramatic effect on long-term prospects of the ballclub.

The Red Sox have a rich history of left handed sluggers who were forced to work against the parks unique attributes rather than take advantage of the short left field fence. Ted Williams, in his career, hit far more home runs away from Fenway, as the extremely long 380’ distance mere feet off the line seriously dampened his pull-heavy swing. Yastrzemski, Lynn, Ortiz, all marquee players whose home park did not suit their abilities.

The Yankees, in opposition, have always been strongest in two categories: fleet center fielders to patrol the giant 460’ Death Valley in left-center, and left handed power hitters who, unlike Fenway’s gigantic right field, can loft pop flies over the short right field porch.

For those unfamiliar with the history of Yankee Stadium, it was quite literally the House that Ruth Built. The original right field line was 258’, a ridiculous distance in the live-ball era for a ballpark constructed in the middle of a field. The deepest points in center and left-center field, however, were well over 500’, with a running track and dirt hill in-between. With Babe Ruth redefining the game, and 60,000+ seats to fill, it was in their best interest to make a short right field fence. When the Yankee Stadium we knew prior to the 1976 renovation was built in 1937, the right field fence had changed to the slightly more reasonable 296’, while center and left center stayed a gargantuan 461 and 457 respectively, with only the monument plaques as outfield obstacles.

And so, the Yankees were wise to load up on center fielders who could cover the huge outfield grass, while also taking advantage of the short right field porch. The Yankees historical success almost exactly match their highest OPS-ing player fitting one of these two categories. In the 20s, it was the lefty power of Babe Ruth, followed in the 30s by the lefty power of Lou Gehrig. In the 40s, it was Dimaggio’s above average defense in center, leading to Mantle and the dynasty of the 50s and 60s.

It is with Mantle where the park effects ring most true. In his career (or that which is covered by the invaluable BR-PI), Mantle hit .303/.436/.576 at home, vs. .282/.415/.536 away. While this difference isn’t dramatic (he, similar to Williams, also hit more home runs away from home), it is in the left/right splits where the park effects become clear. As a righty in Yankee Stadium, Mantle hit .329/.432/.582 with a .343 BABIP. As a lefty, he hit .275/.422/.542 with a .292 BABIP. So, in a nutshell, the expansive outfield of Yankee Stadium fueled both his power (short corners) and his average (deep left-center field). Mantle’s brilliance was his ability to take advantage of the field to its fullest extent.

Historically, the Yankees have succeeded, or had the good fortune, to accrue players who naturally can adept to their unusual ballpark. Lefties can hit for power, while righties can use Death Valley for countless doubles and triples. However, the Red Sox, through the failure of player evaluation or sheer bad luck, have continuously gathered lefty pull hitters who distinctly avoid the benefits of their home stadium.