Monument Park

Lore & Background

The history of the original Monument Park can be traced to the original Yankee Stadium in 1932, when the team posthumously dedicated an on-field monument to manager Miller Huggins in center field. Additional team members were honored with monuments and plaques in the area over the years. During the stadium's renovation in the mid-1970s, the center field fence was moved in 44 ft, enclosing prior monuments, plaques, and the flag pole outside the field of play. Over time, additional plaques were added; in 1985, the park was opened for public access. When the Yankees moved to their new ballpark in 2009, Monument Park was built beyond the center-field fences and the contents of the old one transported over.

Reader's Guide

Thirty-seven members of the Yankee organization have been honored in Monument Park, while 22 have had their uniform numbers retired. An additional honor, a monument mounted on a large red granite block, has only been awarded to six Yankees: manager Miller Huggins, players Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio, and owner George Steinbrenner.

Did You Know?

• During the 1974–1975 renovation, the monuments and flag pole were moved to an enclosed area beyond left-center field.
• Monument Park became accessible to fans prior to most games starting in 1985.
• The new Monument Park in the 2009 stadium is built of pearl blue granite from Finland.

Origins and Evolution

The concept of Monument Park originated in 1932 at the original Yankee Stadium, sparked by the sudden death of manager Miller Huggins. The team erected a bronze plaque on a red granite block resembling a headstone in center field during a Memorial Day doubleheader. This initial tribute inadvertently led many young fans to believe honored players were actually buried within the park. Over subsequent decades, the area expanded with monuments for legends like Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, though these structures remained part of the active playing field until stadium renovations in the mid-1970s.

During this renovation, the center field fence was moved in 44 feet (13 m), enclosing the flagpole and existing memorials behind a barrier between the bullpens. This enclosed space, initially inaccessible to spectators, gradually accumulated more plaques before being formally designated as Monument Park in 1976. It remained a restricted area until 1985, when further adjustments to the fence allowed public access, transforming it into a revered destination for fans touring the venue.

The Highest Honors

Within the collection of thirty-seven honored members of the Yankee organization, a distinct and exclusive tier exists for those receiving a monument mounted on a large red granite block. This prestigious award has been bestowed upon only six individuals throughout history: manager Miller Huggins, owner George Steinbrenner, and players Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio. While twenty-two members have had their uniform numbers retired, the granite monuments represent a singular level of reverence. Originally, Mantle and DiMaggio were commemorated with standard plaques on the wall alongside others like Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. However, following their deaths in 1995 and 1999 respectively, these plaques were removed and upgraded to granite blocks matching the original tributes to Huggins, Gehrig, and Ruth.

Rituals and Cultural Impact

Pitcher Roger Clemens famously incorporated the site into his pre-game routine from 1999 to 2003, visiting the park before every start to rub Babe Ruth's head on his plaque for luck. The space also honors non-baseball events significant to New York City, including plaques donated by the Knights of Columbus commemorating Masses celebrated by Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI at the stadium. Furthermore, a monument dedicated in 2002 remembers the victims and rescue workers of the September 11 attacks, linking the park's legacy to the city's resilience. The site even inspired humor from manager Casey Stengel, who jokingly called out to the statues during a game when an outfielder fumbled a ball among them, highlighting how deeply these figures were woven into the fabric of play.

The New Stadium Era

Following the team's relocation in 2009, Monument Park was reimagined within the new Yankee Stadium. The contents from the original location were transported and reinstalled beyond the center-field fences, situated below the Center Field Sports Bar which serves as the batter's eye. This modern iteration is constructed from pearl blue granite sourced from Finland, creating a striking visual contrast with the black marble Yankees logo at its center. The five exclusive granite monuments are arranged in a central area, maintaining their prominence while adapting to the new architectural landscape. The relocation maintained the tradition of honoring distinguished members through plaques and retired numbers, ensuring the site remains the spiritual heart of Yankee Stadium.