All right … let me hear you … good and loud …”
Starting with the 1970s, a voice bellowed from the broadcast booth for the singing of “The Seventh Inning Stretch.” Harry Caray introduced the tradition with the White Sox, and continued it most famously at Wrigley Field. He ended the song by yelling “Let’s get some runs!” which inspired cheers or laughter, depending on the score, of course.
The team continued the tradition with guests coming into the booth following Caray’s death. You can find the classic renditions from Mike Ditka and Ozzy Osbourne online.
I open with a tale from Wrigley Field because, well, I’m exploring the ballpark effects and rankings for National League teams. If you think of Wrigley, you think of the bleachers. Maybe you ponder the home runs hit by Ryne Sandberg against Bruce Sutter. Maybe you conjure the image of Sammy Sosa hopping out of the batter’s box and up the first base line after launching a prodigious blast. Maybe you just think about sunshine and the summertime.
Whatever the case, let’s start the analysis in the NL East with a newer ballpark still forging its identity.
NL East
Citi Field
Dimensions: LF: 335 FT, CF: 408 FT, RF: 330 FT
Analysis: The Mets opened their new home in 2009. The dimensions of the facility aren’t much different than old Shea Stadium. The corners are marginally shorter (nine feet in right field) and the alleys remain attainable.
It has proven to be a pitcher-friendly stadium in its two years of operation. Citi Field ranked 27th in home-run production in 2010 following a strong 12th-place introduction in 2009. Overall run production ranked in the bottom-third of Major League Baseball in both seasons (rating 25th and 22nd, respectively), because of large part to injuries that sidelined stars Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay for extended periods.
Turner Field
Dimensions: LF: 335 FT, CF: 400 FT, RF: 330 FT
Analysis: The ballpark presents no obvious obstacle to solid offensive production. The dimensions are standard, and there is limited foul territory. In the past four seasons, Turner Field has alternated between upper and lower-tier run production with middling power output.
The 2011 Braves have a number of questions offensively. Chipper Jones is hitting well in camp, but his long-term health remains a concern. Jason Heyward has prodigious power, but he, too, has been beset by injury. Brian McCann (had 13 Turner Field home runs in 2010) and Dan Uggla stand as the two “sure” things in this lineup for 2011. Freddie Freeman and former fantasy darling Nate McLouth are two players of interest.
Nationals Park
Dimensions: LF: 336 FT, CF: 403 FT, RF: 335 FT
Analysis: The Nationals relocated from pitcher-friendly and flyball-killing RFK Stadium into their own facility in 2008, the aptly named “Nationals Park.” For years, RFK Stadium was among the most difficult parks in which to generate runs, as its power alleys ranked among the deepest in the game
In its three years of existence, Nationals Park ranked 18th, 16th and 14th in runs (and rated 15th, 19th and 16th in home runs). The arrivals of Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche should help to bolster its ranking in 2011.
Sun Life Stadium
Dimensions: LF: 330 FT, CF: 434 FT, RF: 345 FT
Analysis: The dual-purpose stadium in South Florida enters its final season of play. It presents several challenges for batters. There is a 33-foot tall wall in left field akin to the “Green Monster” in Fenway Park. Batters see many well-struck balls die in the outfield. The center field fence is 434 feet from home plate. The angles in the power alleys turn home runs into doubles.
Sun Life Stadium ranked in the lower-third in home runs in two of the past four seasons (rating 24th and 27th in 2010 and 2008, respectively) and played neutral in 2007 (rating 15th). While many flyballs went to die in the cavernous outfield, Sun Life Stadium did rank in the top 10 in run production in three of the past four years. Count me among those eager to see Mike Stanton’s impact on the ballpark’s ranking in its swan song.
Citizens Bank Park
Dimensions: LF: 329 FT, CF: 401 FT, RF: 330 FT
Analysis: The slight adjustments to the park’s dimensions ahead of the 2006 season did nothing to stop the ridiculous run production in Philadelphia. Of course, the arrivals of the dynamic duo, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and the growth of Jayson Werth certainly played its part.
In 2010, batters hit a total of 183 home runs at Citizens Bank Park (94 by the home team, led by Werth’s 18). Werth is off to Washington, and Utley’s knee is obviously of great concern to the Phillies, their fans and fantasy owners this spring. With the “Four Horsemen” onboard to lead the pitching staff, the park probably plays more neutrally than it has in the past.
NL Central
PNC Park
Dimensions: LF: 325 FT, CF: 399 FT, RF: 320 FT
Analysis: The dimensions of the ballpark don’t present any obvious challenges, as the distances to the gaps and straightaway center field are fairly standard. Where this park differs from others is the existence of a 21-foot high wall in right field, which helps keep down the power numbers of left-handed hitters.
The lack of production in the Pittsburgh lineup obviously drags the park ranking. Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones were the only Pittsburgh batters to produce a double-digit home run total at PNC Park. The park has ranked in the upper-half in runs in each of the past two years. It ranked 25th or lower in home runs in three of the past four years.
Miller Park
Dimensions: LF: 344 FT, CF: 400 FT, RF: 337 FT
Analysis: Opened in 2001, the home of the Brewers is a festive place for fans (who doesn’t love the Sausage Race?) and is a favorite for power hitters. The dimensions of the ballpark are standard, perhaps deeper in the corners (344 feet in left and 337 feet in right) than some, but with no obvious impediment to posting huge fantasy numbers.
Five Milwaukee hitters hit 13 or more home runs at Miller Park last season. Prince Fielder led the team with 18 home runs in his “down” season and returns to mash alongside Ryan Braun as he pursues a long-term contract.
Miller Park ranked in the top 10 for home runs in three of the past four years. It rated in the upper-half of runs in two of these seasons.
Minute Maid Park
Dimensions: LF: 315 FT, CF: 436 FT, RF: 326 FT
Analysis: “The Juice Box” is shorter down the lines than its predecessor (315 feet in left and 326 feet in right) and smallish in the power alleys (362 in left-center and 373 in right-center). However, there are two distinct challenges for hitters in this park that help to keep the ball from flying out at too rapid a pace. There is a 19-foot tall wall in left field, which forces hitters to get elevation in a fashion similar to Fenway Park. The more difficult area of the park to navigate is center field. The fence in straightaway center field sits 434 feet from home plate, thereby requiring a prodigious blast.
Minute Maid Park has ranked in the bottom seven in terms of runs in three of the past four years. It has ranked 11th or better in home runs in each of the past three seasons.
Great American Ballpark
Dimensions: LF: 328 FT, CF: 404 FT, RF: 325 FT
Analysis: This ballpark has become a favorite of home run hitters, as the power alleys sit a very achievable 370 feet from home plate. It’s a great park for left-handed pull hitters, and the new blood is dominating. Six Cincinnati players hit at least 10 home runs at Great American Ballpark last season, led by Jay Bruce with 19 (and Joey Votto hit 18). Interestingly, the rest of the team combined to hit a total of 21 home runs.
Overall, Great American Ballpark ranked eighth or higher in home runs for each of the past four seasons (rating in the upper half for runs in three of four seasons).
Wrigley Field
Dimensions: LF: 355 FT, CF: 400 FT, RF: 353 FT
Analysis: This Chicago institution remains one of the top tourist attractions and host to raucous afternoon gatherings through the summer. It is one of the smallest parks in all of Major League Baseball and plays as one of the best power parks in the league at times and one of the worst for others. The wind blows off Lake Michigan to knock down the ball and keep scores low early in the season. But the wind shifts and blows out in the summer. Many a routine flyball has drifted into the bleachers (go check the YouTube clips of Harry Caray calls).
Wrigley Field has ranked in the top three in runs during three of the past four years and for the upper half of home runs during this period (rating ninth in 2010).
Busch Stadium
Dimensions: LF: 335 FT, CF: 400 FT, RF: 335 FT
Analysis: The new edition of Busch Stadium doesn’t boast any odd angles or strange impediments to production. It does, however, come with Dave Duncan’s ability to teach pitchers to keep down the ball and stifle power production.
Busch Stadium has ranked in the bottom three in home runs for two of the past four seasons (rating 24th in 2010 and 23rd in 2008). Look at the 2010 totals. Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Colby Rasmus combined to hit 41 home runs at Busch Stadium. The rest of the team hit a grand total of 26.
NL West
AT&T Park
Dimensions: LF: 339 FT, CF: 399 FT, RF: 309 FT
Analysis: AT&T Park possesses a unique design. The high right-field wall eliminates cheap home runs. Ambitious left-handed sluggers looking to slam a ball into “McCovey Cove” generally get under the ball for flyouts. Additionally, the odd angles in the gaps (421 feet in right-center) keep balls in play and regularly return an upper-half doubles count.
Of course, the Giants have also built one of the more formidable rotations in the game. As such, offensive production by opponents will be limited, and the Giants have not exactly possessed a “Murderer’s Row” since Barry Bonds and his protective gear left the game. AT&T Park ranked 20th or lower in home runs for three of the past four seasons and rated in the lower half for runs during two of them.
Chase Field
Dimensions: LF: 330 FT, CF: 407 FT, RF: 335 FT
Analysis: Chase Field is one of a growing number of newly-constructed retractable roof stadiums. It sits 1,100 feet above sea level, an altitude conducive to deeper flyballs and greater run-scoring potential. As such, the power alleys have been set at a deep 413 feet to offset the effects of the altitude.
The park ranked in the top five in terms of runs in three of the past five years. It ranked in the upper half of Major League Baseball for home runs during each of the past four years. Mark Reynolds and Adam LaRoche are gone, leaving a huge hole in the team’s power production (they accounted for 34 of the team’s 98 home runs).
Coors Field
Dimensions: LF: 347 FT, CF: 415 FT, RF: 350 FT
Analysis: What else is there to say? The combination of dry air and high altitude conspire to make Coors Field a veritable launching pad. Even the installation of a humidor in 2002 and one of the most expansive outfields in the game have failed to slow the scoring pace.
A total of 187 home runs were hit at Coors Field in 2010. Players from the Rockies combined to hit 108 home runs in their home park (ranking first in the National League). The park has ranked second, ninth, third and fifth in overall home runs during the past four seasons. Run production has been highest in each of the past two seasons.
Dodger Stadium
Dimensions: LF: 330 FT, CF: 400 FT, RF: 330 FT
Analysis: The longtime home of the Dodgers underwent a facelift following the 2004 season, making the park somewhat more hitter-friendly. The new ownership group added seats and shifted the configuration of the field to reduce the amount of foul territory. That still hasn’t translated into big-time power generation. Last season, the park ranked in the upper half in runs and home runs despite strong work by the pitching staff and down years from many of the Dodgers’ top hitting stars (Rihanna, anyone?). Dodger Stadium had ranked in the mid-to-low 20s in the previous two seasons.
PETCO Park
Dimensions: LF: 334 FT, CF: 396 FT, RF: 322 FT
Analysis: Teams combined to produce the fewest number of runs and lowest home runs of all Major League Baseball parks in 2008. The outfield track runs 402 feet in the alleys, leaving many flyballs to be chased by speedy outfielders. The distances from home plate to the foul poles fall in line with major-league averages and allow pure pull hitters to succeed.
PETCO ranked 26th in home runs in 2010 and 30th in each of the prior three years. The ultimate pitcher’s park ranked 29th or 30th in runs for three of the past four seasons (rating 22nd in 2010). With Adrian Gonzalez’s departure for Boston, the team lost its lone true power source.
