Quote:
Originally Posted by bk400
Hmm, I read the opposite. The Polo Grounds was 258 feet to right field, and the House that Ruth Built was 295 to right field. It seems to be the case that dead center field in certain parks were deeper that it is today, but that's likely more than made up for by ridiculously short fences to right.
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I'll direct you to Bill Jenkinson, who thoroughly researched Ruth's home runs on a spray chart projecting every one of them to the dimensions of modern ballparks (as of 2007, which is when he authored his book). He concludes that his home run totals for 1921 alone and for his entire career, given modern ballpark dimensions for every American League park in which he played, would have been 104 and 1158, respectively, with the friendlier modern dimensions. Yes, the right field foul pole was closer, but "for every home run he gained to right field, Ruth lost at least three to center field and the adjoining power alleys." Center field was at least 490 feet from home plate during Babe Ruth's entire career at Yankee Stadium.