This Is Insane: When Center Fielders Had To Dodge Concrete Monuments At Yankee Stadium

Last Updated: January 22nd, 2024 by Jake Cain

50 years ago, centerfielders at Yankee Stadium had to worry about these gigantic stone slabs because they were in play. 😮 pic.twitter.com/Q7RgGSscTZ

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) January 22, 2024

Why Was Monument Park In Play?

Originally, Yankee Stadium’s 500 ft. center field distance meant that Monument Park did not interfere with play. The monuments were placed in the spacious outfield as tributes, starting with a memorial to Miller Huggins in 1932.

However, things would later change and get a little more dicey for center fielders playing at Yankee Stadium.

With the movement of the center field fence from a distant 500 feet to a closer 461 feet in 1936, the monuments honoring Yankees legends sometimes became obstacles during games.

As you can see in the video above, a deep drive to center field was guaranteed to be an adventure.

During the mid-70s renovation of Yankee Stadium, the iconic Monument Park, which had previously been part of the outfield, was sectioned off from the field. This move not only kept the monuments safe from the chaos of gameplay but also paved the way for a dedicated space to honor past Yankee greats.

By 1976, with the renovation completed, the Yankees had transformed Monument Park into an official tribute area, adding memorials for renowned figures like Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel, and acknowledging historic visits such as that of Pope Paul VI.

The Yankees organization recognized the importance of connecting fans with the team’s storied history, so in 1985, they adjusted the stadium layout to make Monument Park accessible to fans. It quickly became a cherished part of the Yankee Stadium experience, a place where supporters could walk among the tributes to their heroes before the first pitch.

Fast forward to 2009, with the opening of the new Yankee Stadium, Monument Park was given a modern and prominent placement behind the center field fence. Crafted from fine Finnish granite, the new setup featured a distinguished ensemble of monuments at its heart, framed by retired numbers and plaques along the surrounding walls. It serves as a poignant reminder of the Yankees’ enduring legacy, offering fans and visitors a place to reflect on the rich history of one of baseball’s most storied franchises.

Monument Park Honorees

† Denotes inductees who are also members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. ‡ Indicates a broadcaster who has received the Ford C. Frick Award.