Monument Park (Yankee Stadium)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses of the term Monument Park, see Monument Park (disambiguation).
Monument Park at the new Yankee Stadium

Monument Park is an open-air museum located at the new Yankee Stadium containing a collection of monuments, plaques, and retired numbers honoring distinguished members of the New York Yankees.

The original Monument Park was created when the old Yankee Stadium fence was moved in 44 feet during its renovation in the mid-1970s, enclosing prior monuments, plaques, and a flag pole previously on the field of play. Over time, additional plaques were added to the original centerfield wall and "Monument Park" became formalized. When the Yankees moved to their new ballpark in 2009 a replica Monument Park was built beyond the center-field fences and the contents of the old transported over.

Plaques in Monument Park are a great honor for players so distinguished. The monuments mounted posthumously on five large red granite blocks are the highest honor of all. Only five Yankees have been so recognized: players Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio, and manager Miller Huggins.

Contents

History [edit]

Precursor [edit]

The original placement of the monuments in deep center field at the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium.

The original Yankee Stadium was built in 1923. As with many other so-called Jewel Box ballparks of the era the flag pole in was placed in play. With a generous center field dimension of 500 feet (150 m) to straightaway center field, there was plenty of room for it without materially interfering in play. In 1929, Yankees manager Miller Huggins died suddenly, and in his honor the team erected a free-standing monument in front of the flag pole consisting of a bronze plaque mounted on an upright block of red granite resembling a headstone.[1]

The Huggins monument was later joined by similar memorials to Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth erected upon their deaths.[2] Over time a number of plaques were mounted behind them on the outfield wall. Placing monuments in the field of play was not so unusual at the time, as there had been in-play stones and plaques at the Polo Grounds and Forbes Field. In 1969, Mickey Mantle was given a plaque by Joe DiMaggio to hang on the center field wall, who in turn gave Joe DiMaggio a plaque of his own which, in Mickey's words, had to be hung a little bit higher than his.

From 1936-1973, the distance from home plate to the center field fence was 461 feet (141 m).[2] Despite the distance, a batted ball still sometimes made it back there. In the 1992 book The Gospel According to Casey, by Ira Berkow and Jim Kaplan, it is reported that on one occasion a Yankees outfielder had let the ball get by him and was fumbling for it among the monuments. Manager Casey Stengel hollered to the field, "Ruth, Gehrig, Huggins, somebody get that ball back to the infield!"[3]

Monument Park I [edit]

The original Monument Park consisted of a row of monuments with plaques lining the wall behind them

When Yankee Stadium was remodeled from 1974-1975, the center field fence was moved in to 417 feet (127 m) from its previous 457 feet (139 m); a subsequent reduction brought the fence in again to 410 feet (120 m). This enclosed the area, formerly in play, containing the flag pole and monuments. As this fenced in area between the two bullpens gathered additional plaques on the original wall it began to be referred to as "Monument Park".[4]

With the formalization of the area as an official Monument Park the Mantle and DiMaggio plaques were removed from the wall upon their deaths and mounted on red granite blocks matching the original three of Huggins, Gehrig, and Ruth.

It was an achievement for a home run to reach Monument Park on the fly. Among those who did so were Thurman Munson (in Game 3 of the 1978 American League Championship Series) and Alex Rodriguez (in August 2005).[citation needed]

Monument Park was inaccessible to fans until 1985.[4] After the center field fence was moved in, the Yankees enabled fans to visit Monument Park prior to most games at Yankee Stadium.[4] Monument Park was also part of the public tour of Yankee Stadium.

Monument Park II [edit]

The second Monument Park.

When the Yankees moved to their new ballpark, the Yankees established a new Monument Park in the new stadium.[5] An area was built behind the fence in straightaway center field, below the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar that serves as the batter's eye. Built of pearl blue granite from Finland, this new monument park features the five Yankee monuments in a central area around a black marble Yankees logo. This is flanked by two short stone walls which hold the retired numbers. The plaques are mounted on the back wall and the September 11th monument is on one end of the park.

In contrast to the old stadium, the new Monument Park is not readily visible from the field, and its relatively drab appearance and inconspicuous placement have led some to derisively nickname it "Monument Cave". You can visit Monument park prior to the beginning of each game. It closes around a half hour before first pitch.[6][7]

Honorees [edit]

Honored baseball members [edit]

The following players and other Yankees personnel are honored with monuments or plaques in Monument Park. Monuments are considered a greater honor than plaques, and are only awarded posthumously.[8]

Often, the uniform number of the player being honored is retired in the same ceremony. Such events historically often took place either at home openers or on Old Timers' Day, but have lately been scheduled on separate weekend home games. Figures are listed in the order in which their plaques were dedicated:

Plaques lined the rear wall of the original Monument Park
K
Honoree Name of the honoree
Position(s) Fielding position(s) or role in the organization
Yankee career Years with the Yankee organization
Number retired (x) Date number retired (and number), if applicable
Plaque Date plaque dedicated, if applicable
Monument Date monument dedicated, if applicable
dagger
 Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Honorees
Honoree Position(s) Yankee career Number retired Plaque Monument Ref
Huggins, MillerMiller Hugginsdagger Manager 1918–1929 — 01932-05-30May 30, 1932 01932-05-30May 30, 1932 [9]
Gehrig, LouLou Gehrigdagger First baseman 1923–1939 01939-07-04July 4, 1939 (#4) 01941-07-06July 6, 1941 01941-07-06July 6, 1941 [10]
Ruppert, JacobJacob Ruppertdagger Owner 1915–1939 — 01940-04-19April 19, 1940 — [11]
Ruth, BabeBabe Ruthdagger Right fielder 1920–1934 01948-06-13June 13, 1948 (#3) 01949-04-19April 19, 1949 01949-04-19April 19, 1949 [12]
Barrow, EdEd Barrowdagger General manager 1921–1946 — 01954-04-15April 15, 1954 — [13]
DiMaggio, JoeJoe DiMaggiodagger Center fielder 1936–1951 01952-04-18April 18, 1952 (#5) 01969-06-08June 8, 1969 01999-04-25April 25, 1999 [14]
Mantle, MickeyMickey Mantledagger Center fielder 1951–1968 01969-06-08June 8, 1969 (#7) 01969-06-08June 8, 1969 01996-08-25August 25, 1996 [15]
McCarthy, JoeJoe McCarthydagger Manager 1931–1946 — 01976-04-29April 29, 1976 — [16]
Stengel, CaseyCasey Stengeldagger Manager 1949–1960 01970-08-08August 8, 1970 (#37) 01976-07-30July 30, 1976 — [17]
Munson, ThurmanThurman Munson Catcher 1969–1979 01979-08-02August 2, 1979 (#15) 01980-09-20September 20, 1980 — [18]
Howard, ElstonElston Howard Catcher / Outfielder 1955–1967 01984-07-21July 21, 1984 (#32) 01984-07-21July 21, 1984 — [19]
Maris, RogerRoger Maris Outfielder 1960–1966 01984-07-21July 21, 1984 (#9) 01984-07-21July 21, 1984 — [19]
Rizzuto, PhilPhil Rizzutodagger Shortstop / Broadcaster 1941–1956, 1957–96 01985-08-04August 4, 1985 (#10) 01985-08-04August 4, 1985 — [20]
Martin, BillyBilly Martin Second baseman / Manager 1950–1957, 1975–1978,
1979, 1983, 1985, 1988		 01986-08-10August 10, 1986 (#1) 01986-08-10August 10, 1986 — [21]
Gomez, LeftyLefty Gomezdagger Pitcher 1930–1942 — 01987-08-01August 1, 1987 — [22]
Ford, WhiteyWhitey Forddagger Pitcher 1950–1967 01974-04-06April 6, 1974 (#16) 01987-08-01August 1, 1987 — [22]
Dickey, BillBill Dickeydagger Catcher 1928–1946 01972-04-18April 18, 1972 (#8) 01988-08-21August 21, 1988 — [23]
Berra, YogiYogi Berradagger Catcher / Outfielder 1946–1963 01972-04-18April 18, 1972 (#8) 01988-08-21August 21, 1988 — [23]
Reynolds, AllieAllie Reynolds Pitcher 1947–1954 — 01989-08-27August 27, 1989 — [24]
Mattingly, DonDon Mattingly First baseman 1982–1995 01997-08-31August 31, 1997 (#23) 01997-08-31August 31, 1997 — [25]
Allen, MelMel Allendagger Broadcaster 1939–1964, 1976–1989 — 01998-07-25July 25, 1998 — [26]
Sheppard, BobBob Sheppard Public address announcer 1951–2007 — 02000-05-07May 7, 2000 — [27]
Jackson, ReggieReggie Jacksondagger Right fielder 1977–1981 01993-08-14August 14, 1993 (#44) 02002-07-06July 6, 2002 — [28]
Guidry, RonRon Guidry Pitcher 1975–1988 02003-08-23August 23, 2003 (#49) 02003-08-23August 23, 2003 — [29]
Ruffing, RedRed Ruffingdagger Pitcher 1930–1946 — 02004-07-10July 10, 2004 — [30]
Robinson, JackieJackie Robinsondagger Second baseman — 01997-04-15April 15, 1997 (#42) 02007-04-17April 17, 2007 — [31]
Steinbrenner, GeorgeGeorge Steinbrenner Owner 1973–2010 — 02010-09-20September 20, 2010 02010-09-20September 20, 2010 [32]

Huggins never wore a number on his uniform, and so no number is retired in his honor. Although the Yankees adopted uniform numbers in 1929, McCarthy never wore a number as Yankee manager, and so no number has been retired in his honor.

Ruppert's plaque was placed on the outfield wall, to the right of the flagpole. The Lou Gehrig monument was placed to the left of the Huggins monument. Gehrig was the first Major League Baseball player to have his uniform number retired.[33] The Babe Ruth monument was placed to the right of the Huggins monument. The Ed Barrow plaque was placed on the wall, to the left of the flagpole.

The plaque in the first Monument Park in honor of Jackie Robinson.

In honor of Jackie Robinson's unique place as the first black player of the modern era, his number 42 was retired throughout baseball on April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees erected a plaque for Robinson[31] reading: "In becoming the first Major League player to break the color barrier, Jackie will forever be an inspiration with his grace, dignity and perseverance. His story and the stories of those who never had the same opportunity must never be forgotten." 42s were also painted in front of each dugout. Players active at the time of the number's retirement in 1997 were granted a special exemption permitting them to continue wearing the number for the remainder of their careers; the last such player still active is Yankee relief pitcher Mariano Rivera.[34]

Other honorees [edit]

In addition to baseball related recognitions the Knights of Columbus donated plaques in honor of the Masses celebrated at Yankee Stadium by Pope Paul VI on October 4, 1965; Pope John Paul II on October 2, 1979; and Pope Benedict XVI on April 20, 2008.[35]

The Yankees also dedicated a monument to the victims and rescue workers of the September 11, 2001 attacks on September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the attacks.[36]

Photo gallery [edit]

Monument Park I
Monument Park II

See also [edit]

Portal icon Baseball portal
Portal icon New York City portal
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Monument Park


References [edit]

  1. ^ "Results in Major Sports Yesterday". The New York Times. May 31, 1932. Retrieved November 25, 2011.  (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b Red, Christian (June 7, 2008). "Yankee Stadium's Monument Park: Stories of place where legends go". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 21, 2012. 
  3. ^ Migoya, David (July 13, 2008). "Yankee Stadium>> In its final season, "The House That Ruth Built" hosts the All-Star Game at 6 p.m. Tuesday, KDVR-31". The Denver Post. p. C-09. Retrieved April 18, 2012.  (subscription required)
  4. ^ a b c Sandomir, Richard (September 21, 2010). "Everyone Agrees: Steinbrenner’s Plaque Is Big". The New York Times. Retrieved November 25, 2011. 
  5. ^ DiComo, Anthony (November 12, 2008). "Monument of Babe Ruth removed: Artifact will make its way to new Yankee Stadium by year's end". MLB.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved September 17, 2009. 
  6. ^ Madden, Bill (May 9, 2009). "An open letter to Boss: Please, fix Yankee Stadium". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 23, 2009. 
  7. ^ "Impressions of the Opener". The Journal News. April 16, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2010.  More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
  8. ^ Brunell, Evan (2010-08-24). "Steinbrenner to be honored in Monument Park". CBS Sports (CBS Sports). Retrieved 2010-09-11. 
  9. ^ "Mayor to Speak at Unveiling Of Huggins Memorial Today". The New York Times. May 30, 1932. Retrieved August 28, 2010.  (subscription required)
  10. ^ "Memorial to Lou Gehrig Unveiled". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. July 7, 1941. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Yankees Will Honor Col. Jacob Ruppert". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 9, 1940. p. 13. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  12. ^ Roden, Ralph (April 20, 1949). "Six Home Teams Score Victories in Opener". St. Petersburg Times. p. 8. Retrieved September 18, 2009. 
  13. ^ Hand, Jack (April 15, 1954). "Baltimore Tops List of 'Second Openers' Today". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. p. 12. Retrieved April 18, 2012. 
  14. ^ "An American icon: DiMaggio honored at Yankee Stadium with monument". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. April 25, 1999. Retrieved September 17, 2009. 
  15. ^ Vecsey, George (June 9, 1969). "61,157 Hearts Here Throb for Mantle as No. 7 Joins 3, 4 and 5 in Retirement". The New York Times. p. 61. Retrieved April 18, 2012.  (subscription required)
  16. ^ Wallace, William N. (April 21, 1976). "Yanks Top White Sox, 5-4, As Shirt Dispute Flares; Yankees Win, 5-4, In a Shirt Battle". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2012. 
  17. ^ "To Honor Casey". The Bryan Times. United Press International. October 2, 1975. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Yankee Fans Pay Tribute to Catcher". Star-News. August 4, 1979. p. 3-B. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  19. ^ a b "The Man Who Beat The Babe". Waycross Journal-Herald. July 24, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved April 18, 2012. 
  20. ^ Kerber, Fred (August 14, 2007). "For 'dreamer' Scooter, a moo-ving day". New York Daily News (New York). Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  21. ^ "Yanks Retire Martin's Number". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. August 11, 1986. p. 5C. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  22. ^ a b Noble, Marty (August 3, 1987). "Well, 2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad: Yanks aren't overwhelmed by successful weekend". Newsday. Retrieved April 18, 2012.  (subscription required)
  23. ^ a b Shaughnessy, Dan (August 21, 1988). "Is Balance Of Al Power Headed West?". Boston Globe. Retrieved April 18, 2012. 
  24. ^ "Yankees Honor Allie Reynolds With Plaque". Deseret News. August 27, 1989. p. 36. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  25. ^ Chass, Murray (September 1, 1997). "On Baseball — Mattingly's Monument To Effort". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  26. ^ "ALLEN JOINS YANKEE IMMORTALS — The Record (Bergen County, NJ)". Highbeam.com. 1998-07-25. Retrieved 2010-08-28. 
  27. ^ Madden, Bill (May 8, 2000). "For Once, Sheppard Is Speechless: Yanks hail keeper of names". New York Daily News (New York). Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  28. ^ Lupica, Mike (July 6, 2002). "Reggie Means World To Yanks". New York Daily News (New York). Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  29. ^ "Baseball — Yankees Pay Tribute to Guidry". The New York Times. August 24, 2003. Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  30. ^ Moses, David (July 10, 2004). "Ruffing finally gets his plaque". MLB.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved August 28, 2010. 
  31. ^ a b "ESPN — Yankees honor Robinson — MLB". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-04-18. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
  32. ^ Marchand, Andrew (September 20, 2010). "Yanks unveil Steinbrenner monument". ESPN. Retrieved September 20, 2010. 
  33. ^ "The Official Web Site". Lou Gehrig. 1932-06-03. Retrieved October 28, 2011. 
  34. ^ Hoch, Bryan (April 15, 2007). "Rivera 'blessed' to wear No. 42". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved May 27, 2011. 
  35. ^ Matuszewski, Erik (2010-09-20). "George Steinbrenner Monument to Be Unveiled Today Before Yankees-Rays Game". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2013-04-22. 
  36. ^ "Baseball plans tributes for 9/11 | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-04-22. 
Formerly the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Highlanders - Based in The Bronx, New York City, New York
Franchise
Ballparks
Lore
Culture
Rivalries
Monument Park
honorees
Retired numbers
Key personnel
Championships (27)
American League
Pennants (40)
Other titles
Minors

Coordinates: 40°49′47.22″N 73°55′31.7″W / 40.8297833°N 73.925472°W / 40.8297833; -73.925472

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monument_Park_(Yankee_Stadium)&oldid=551601045"