The Baseball Stadium Insider: A Comprehensive Dissection of All Thirty Ballparks, the Legendary Players, and the Memorable Moments - Softcover
Synopsis
The Baseball Stadium Insider is the essential companion to your ballpark experience. Inside, you'll discover the features, facts, and figures that make each stadium unique. From the saltwater tank filled with live cow-nosed rays at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay to the Ferris wheel and carousel at Comerica Park in Detroit, exciting details await you with every turn of the page.
This comprehensive ballpark guide will appeal not only to fanatics of America's pastime, but novice baseball admirers as well. Have you ever been to a game and wondered about the retired numbers adorning the outfield wall? Wonder no more-The Baseball Stadium Insider explains what each of these great ballplayers did to become baseball legends.
Finally, all of the incredible games that have etched themselves into baseball history over the decades are represented. Who could ever forget Game 6 of the 1975 World Series when Boston's Carlton Fisk hit his famous extra-inning home run off Fenway's left field foul pole? Or when the Cleveland Indians, down 14-2 in the seventh inning, staged one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history to defeat the Seattle Mariners?
So go ahead, take yourself out to the ballgame and get to know the cathedrals of baseball.
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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
THE BASEBALL STADIUM INSIDER
A Comprehensive Dissection of All Thirty Ballparks, the Legendary Players, and the Memorable MomentsBy Matt LupicaiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 Matt LupicaAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-8366-4
Contents
Acknowledgments................................................................ixPreface........................................................................xiEast Region....................................................................1Citi Field Home of the New York Mets..........................................3Citizens Bank Park Home of the Philadelphia Phillies..........................13Fenway Park Home of the Boston Red Sox........................................27Nationals Park Home of the Washington Nationals...............................43New Yankee Stadium Home of the New York Yankees...............................53Oriole Park at Camden Yards Home of the Baltimore Orioles.....................69PNC Park Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.......................................85Great Lakes Region.............................................................101Comerica Park Home of the Detroit Tigers......................................103Miller Park Home of the Milwaukee Brewers.....................................119Progressive Field Home of the Cleveland Indians...............................133Rogers Centre Home of the Toronto Blue Jays...................................149Target Field Home of the Minnesota Twins......................................163U.S. Cellular Field Home of the Chicago White Sox.............................177Wrigley Field Home of the Chicago Cubs........................................193South Central Region...........................................................211Busch Stadium Home of the St Louis Cardinals.................................213Great American Ballpark Home of the Cincinnati Reds...........................231Kauffman Stadium Home of the Kansas City Royals...............................247Minute Maid Park Home of the Houston Astros...................................263New Marlins Ballpark Home of Miami Marlins....................................279Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Home of the Texas Rangers.......................287Tropicana Field Home of the Tampa Bay Rays....................................301Turner Field Home of the Atlanta Braves.......................................317West Region....................................................................331Angel Stadium Home of the Los Angeles Angels..................................333AT&T Park Home of the San Francisco Giants....................................345Chase Field Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks..................................363Coors Field Home of the Colorado Rockies......................................377Dodger Stadium Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers................................393O Co Coliseum Home of the Oakland Athletics...................................409PETCO Park Home of the San Diego Padres.......................................425Safeco Field Home of the Seattle Mariners.....................................439Conclusion.....................................................................451Bibilography...................................................................453
Chapter One
Citi FieldHome of the New York Mets
When the doors to Shea Stadium closed following the 2008 season, the Mets had left behind a ballpark filled with plenty of great moments. From the Amazin' Mets and their magical, astonishing World Series championship run in 1969, to images of Jesse Orosco throwing his glove in the air following a 1986 World Series victory over Boston, there was plenty of history that had made its mark.
The introduction of Citi Field was not without some indifference, with fans upset over obstructed sight lines present and too much emphasis of the Brooklyn Dodgers and their rich history over that of the one created by the National League's Mets. Despite it all, Citi Field represents a new era in New York Mets history and has fast become known for its reputation as being a pitcher's park.
Plans to replace Shea Stadium officially got under way in the 1990s when management unveiled their first ideas in 1998 of having a retractable roof and removable grass field; that is, one that would slide out into the parking lot and allow for other events to be hosted at the facility. The price tag for that proposal was exceptionally high, and the team scrapped it in favor of a far more conservative approach. Relocation was also on the top of the list and other potential spots included Mitchell Field and Belmont Park in Nassau County, Long Island, Sunnyside Yard in Queens and West Side Yard in Manhattan.
New York City Mayor and avid baseball fan Rudy Giuliani had a hand in the stadium situation and shortly before leaving office, had a tentative agreement for both the Yankees and Mets to construct new facilities. With $1.6 billion dollars on the table, an arrangement was proposed in which city and state taxpayers would pay for half the construction while teams would be allowed to keep all the parking revenue generated from the lots present. When Michael Bloomberg assumed Mayoral responsibilities, he triggered an escape clause, citing the fact that it cost too much money for the city to construct two brand new ballparks.
After all was said and done, the Mets got their wish when plans for Citi Field were part of a bid for the 2012 Olympic games. Although the city failed in their efforts to host the games, it kick started the project Mets management had long been hoping for. The official model of Citi Field was unveiled March 18, 2006 and construction began four months later in July.
The ballpark was finished well ahead of opening day 2009, and fans attending games at Shea Stadium in its final year had the opportunity to see Citi Field take shape right from the comfort of their own seats with construction taking place beyond the outfield walls. Another noteworthy accomplishment in getting a new home: The overall agreement included a forty-year lease that prevents the team from departing New York through the year 2049.
Dissecting Citi Field
Citi Field became the new crown jewel of Flushing, New York when it debuted just in time for the 2009 season, and since its inception into the league fans have flocked to the stadium and have been treated to one of the games best structures.
AUDITORIUM
Those looking to wow potential clients and hoping to create an experience like no other, the Auditorium and Business Center at Citi Field can help accomplish that goal. With a capacity of 150 theater-style seats, state-of-the-art amenities and a stage, this spot can be rented out on non-game days. Other services include Wi-Fi, printers, copiers, fax machines and ports to charge electronic devices.
BRIDGES
When one thinks of Major League ballparks and bridges, the first location that comes to mind is the Clemente Bridge at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. At Citi Field, a replica bridge serves as a connection point for the right and center field walkways. The idea of incorporating this into the mix was to drive home the Mets link with New York's five boroughs, helping to serve as a symbolic tribute to its surroundings.
CAESARS CLUB
Searching for incredible views? Want to kick back and enjoy a relaxing drink? Maybe you're hoping to recreate a taste of home and relax on a couch? All of that can be accomplished at the Caesars Club, which can be found behind the home plate area. Sweeping views of the New York City skyline will make for great pictures, a fifty-foot long full-service bar is available to the public and comfortable couches compliment the twenty-eight flat screen televisions that are there for your viewing pleasure.
CHAMPIONS CLUB
In the longstanding tradition of Mets baseball in New York, two teams have stood out above the rest: 1969 and 1986. Appropriately so, they are honored at Citi Field in the Champions Club where memorabilia, pictures and other artifacts from those championship-winning clubs are on display. If anything, it enables fans to reminisce about the days when the Mets were truly amazing.
DELTA SKY360 CLUB
Delta Airlines stepped up to the plate and signed a multi-year deal that enabled them to become the sole sponsor of a section dubbed the Delta Sky360 Club. Positioned directly behind home plate and featuring 1,600 premium seats and spanning from dugout to dugout, this 22,500-foot restaurant, cafe and lounge are certainly one to check out if you have the funds to do so. Not only is fine dining one of the luxurious options that await you, but also two full-service bars will help to accomplish the goal of wetting your whistle with only the finest selection of top shelf liquor.
FANFEST
Just behind the center field scoreboard on the concourse level is a fully interactive area that combines fun and excitement for fans of all ages. Amongst the highlights: A miniature whiffleball field modeled after Citi Field, a batting cage, video games and other attractions that are sure to get the blood flowing. Yet another reason to arrive to the ballpark early before the game starts so you can take full advantage of all the festivities located at the ever-popular Fanfest.
INFLUENCES
Citi Field was a ballpark constructed that incorporated a lot of pieces and parts from ballparks that had been built previous to it, with one of the major influences coming from PNC Park in Pittsburgh. A personal favorite of Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, the interior outline is based upon the home of the Pirates and mimics the Steel City structure. The Flushing, New York gem also incorporated snippets from Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Coors Field in Colorado and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
JACKIE ROBINSON
It makes perfect sense that the club would honor the late Jackie Robinson and his contributions to the game of baseball, and the Mets have made every effort to remember the legacy he left. Inspired by Ebbets Field, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda reminds fans of his accomplishments both on and off the field. For starters, the rotunda's 160-foot diameter is engraved with larger-than-life images that helped to define his values: Citizenship, Commitment, Courage, Determination, Excellence, Persistence, Integrity, Justice, Teamwork and Integrity. His famous line of, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" is also on display for all to see in the upper section of the rotunda. An eight-foot sculpture of Robinson's jersey number 42 is a popular spot for pictures and serves as a topper in the honoring of the man who broke down the walls of baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
METS HALL OF FAME
Every team celebrates their baseball history in different ways, but the Mets really went all out with the building of the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum located adjacent to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Introduced in 2010, the museum features plaques for Mets players who were inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, along with the World Series Championship trophies won by the 1969 and 1986 teams. Interactive touch screens were installed to help take fans on an illustrated journey through the team's history and selected memorabilia from previous players and managers is available for viewing.
METS, METS, METS!
Constant reminders of great Mets players of the past, along with historic moments that have occurred throughout the team's history is present both on the field and promenade walls. Championship banners installed on the left field wall during the 2009 season remind fans of the glory of days past when the Mets reached the pinnacle of success.
NAMING RIGHTS
On November 13, 2006, it was officially made public that the home of the Mets would be known as Citi Field, and that Citigroup, Inc. would be forking out $20 million dollars a year for the next twenty years in order to have the sole rights to the name. It became the second major league sports venue in which it was named after a corporate sponsor, with the first being then-Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands, home of the New Jersey Nets.
ORANGE FOUL POLES
Historically, baseball has seen many ballparks rise and fall and despite each one showcasing different dimensions and quirks about them, one factor has been a constant: Yellow foul poles. That all changed when, while at Shea Stadium, management decided to paint the foul poles orange. The tradition was carried over at Citi Field, and continued a trend that a color other than the standard yellow was instituted for the tint of the foul poles.
PEPSI PORCH
Hanging over the right field porch and evoking memories of legendary Tiger Stadium in Detroit, the 1,284-seat Pepsi Porch offers left handed batters the opportunity to take aim and deposit a ball into the `upper deck'. This section extends eight feet into fair territory and makes fans feel as though they closer than ever to the action. The Pepsi sign present is also significant: It pays homage to the vintage sign that can be found on the East River.
SCOREBOARDS
Everything might be bigger in Texas, but Citi Field takes a page from the Lone Star State with the massive scoreboard situated in center field and other video boards scattered throughout. Measuring 50-feet-high by 70-feet-wide, the video board is a central location for fans to view high quality replays and other in-game information displayed throughout the contest. The colossal high definition display in right field measures 40-feet-high by 90-feet-wide and garners a lot of attention from fans that are quickly entertained and informed by it. One of the largest out-of-town scoreboards in the league can be spotted on the front of the roof canopy in left-center field and serves as a one-stop shop for all the latest and updated scores from around baseball.
TASTE OF THE CITY
Sampling fine cuisine and enjoying New York favorites is one of the popular aspects of Citi Field at the Taste of the City food court that's situated in the center field section of the stadium. A plethora of good eats to select from is present including Blue Smoke Barbecue, Catch of the Day and the Shake Shack that has your standard ballpark burgers, fries and and shakes. Pay close attention to the "Shake Shack" sign, it incorporates the skyline taken from the scoreboard that was present at Shea Stadium.
THE BIG APPLE
Another fan-favorite, the giant apple was carried over from Shea Stadium, and this version is now bigger and better than ever. Making its home in center field, an oversized apple rises above its base whenever a Mets player goes deep or New York registers a victory. The apple, which illuminates at night and features the Mets logo prominently displayed on the front, features its shell weighing 4,800 pounds and a frame that officially tips the scales at 9,000 pounds; that's roughly more than four sizes larger than the one that previously stood at Shea Stadium! Speaking of the original, it was spared from the demolition can be found as a part of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.
WORLD'S FAIR MARKET
Variety is the name of the game at this popular eatery anchored in the right field corner of the Field Level. From sushi to sandwiches to ice cream, the wide selection present offers something for everyone. Even those who are selective are sure to discover something that will encourage the shelling out of currency in exchange for the exceptional food choices available for consumption.
Retired Numbers at Citi Field
The Mets have had great players in their history, including one who defied the odds and overcame tough circumstances to persevere and set the stage for other players to follow. Here is a look at the retired numbers — and names — by the New York Mets, which can be found on the left field wall.
(37) CASEY STENGEL — Number retired: 1965
The first manager in team history, Stengel began his managerial career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934 at the age of 43. Hired by the New York Yankees in 1949, he guided the Bronx Bombers to five straight championships averaging 97 wins from 1949-1953. He added two more titles to his resume with the Yanks in 1956 and 1958 before moving onto the expansion Mets in 1962. Stengel was induced into the Hall of Fame in 1966.
(14) GIL HODGES — Number retired: 1973
In just his second season managing the Mets, Hodges was the driving force behind the Miracle Mets of 1969 when they won the World Series Championship over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. Hodges also holds the distinction of having hit the first home run in Mets franchise history, when he connected off Larry Jackson of the Cardinals on April 11, 1962.
(41) TOM SEAVER — Number retired: 1988
A three-time recipient of the Cy Young Award (1969, 1973 and 1975), Seaver was a model of consistency, winning twenty games in a season four times with the Mets while taking home Rookie of the Year honors in 1967. Seaver was especially dominating during the Mets World Series-winning year of 1969, putting together a solid 25-7 record to help anchor a staff that was prevailing in the postseason. As of this writing, he is the only player number to be retired in franchise history.
(SHEA) WILLIAM A. SHEA — Name retired: 2008
One of the driving forces behind bringing baseball back to New York, Shea had spearheaded Mayor Robert Wagner's four-man baseball task force and was determined to add a franchise to the National League. Lo and behold in 1960, Major League Baseball had granted Shea his wish, and the team known as the New York Mets was born. In admiration of his commitment and hard work to accomplish the goal, the ballpark prior to Citi Field was named in his honor (Shea Stadium).
(42) JACKIE ROBINSON — Number retired: 1997
In a nationally televised event, Jackie Robinson became the first man in which his number was universally retired by all of baseball on April 15, 1997. He became the first African American to play in the Major Leagues in 1947 and captured the Most Valuable Player Award in 1949 after leading the National League in both average and stolen bases. Robinson was also a stellar fielder, turning 137 double plays in 1951. Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.
Memorable Games at Citi Field
When you're following in the footsteps of a Major League Ballpark that was the stage for plenty of great memories, it's never an easy task. To Citi Field's credit, legendary milestones were accomplished not long after its opening and one thing is for certain: Plenty more lie ahead.
APRIL 13, 2009 - FIRST GAME AT CITI FIELD
The San Diego Padres rode into town and stole the spotlight, spoiling the debut of Citi Field in front of a packed house with a 6-5 squeaker over the hometown Mets. Jody Gerut led off the game for the Padres and promptly became the first visiting player in Major League history to leadoff with a home run for a stadium's first hit, with the long ball coming on the third pitch of the game. For New York, fan-favorite David Wright collected the first Mets hit and home run.
APRIL 17, 2009 - SHEFFIELD CRACKS 500TH
Making a pinch-hitting appearance against the team he began his Major League career with — the Milwaukee Brewers — Gary Sheffield became the twenty-fifth member of the 500-home run club with a seventh inning shot to left field off Brewers reliever Mitch Stetter. Not only did he join elite company, but he also became the first player in baseball history to have his first home run with a new team go for the historic milestone. The hoopla also helped the Mets come from behind and win in the bottom of the ninth, 5-4 on Luis Castillo's walk-off single.
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Excerpted from THE BASEBALL STADIUM INSIDERby Matt Lupica Copyright © 2012 by Matt Lupica. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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