Thinking Green
Bare with me while I switch gears for a moment.
The Boston Celtics, a team that was #1 in the minds and hearts of New England two decades ago, have a chance to accomplish something that has not happened in over 20 years in Boston. Something that I have never personally witnessed on live-television.
It’s something that the New England Patriots, in all of their recent glory, have not accomplished (and will never accomplish, unless a drastic change in NFL policy is implemented). The Boston Red Sox haven’t done it since Germany was ruled by a Kaiser.
This Tuesday, the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics can win a championship on their home court. In Boston, at the Garden. I’ve never seen a home Boston crowd react to a championship on live television, so I’m rather looking forward to this.
Back to the Olde Towne Team, who visited Cincinnati for the first time in 23 years. My lasting impression is this: the Reds’ ballpark is ridiculous. “Ridiculous” as in: it should be hosting a stickball league, not a Major League Baseball team. This is the first time I’ve actually sat down and watched a game at the pygmy park in Cincinnati, and the entire weekend made me dubious of Adam Dunn’s fearsome power numbers.
Dunn, the Reds’ gargantuan slugger, has occasionally been mentioned in trade rumors involving Boston during the past few seasons. However, just something to ponder:
- Dunn at G.A.P.: 1 HR every 14 plate appearances, .563 SLG %
- Dunn on road: 1 HR every 19 plate appearances, .494 SLG %
(career numbers)
As you would expect, he is still a decent slugger away from home, but his numbers are boosted quite a bit by the little league dimensions in Cincy.
June 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I don’t understand why you call Great American a pygmy park. Here are the dimensions compared to Fenway:
Left:GA-328; Fen-310
Left Center:GA-365;Fen-335
Center:GA-404; Fen-390
Right Center:GA-365; Fen-380
Right:GA-325; Fen-302
June 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Fenway has a small field, no doubt. But, they have a few things which mitigate the power numbers there: the large wall in left field, and the deep incline in right field and center field (Fenway is 420′ at the deepest point).
That being said, I think GAP is a great looking ballpark. It’s just ill-designed, from the POV of a fan who enjoys pitching duels.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I see your point.
Four of us drove down from Columbus yesterday for the game- lots of fun. Tons and tons of Sox fans- almost embarassingly so many Sox fans. Did see a number of New England area license plates and sat next to fans from NH- so not all the Sox fans were transplants or, as one Reds fan said, bandwagon jumpers.