David Wright happy with Citi Field's cozier right-centerfield
Mets' David Wright is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a single hit by Matt den Dekker in the first inning during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, in Miami. Credit: AP / Lynne Sladky
The Mets have yet to reveal the precise dimensions of a revamped Citi Field, though third baseman David Wright already likes what he sees.
Various photographs have trickled out the last few days showing construction to reduce the expanse in right-centerfield. The most telling image came out Monday courtesy of WCBS radio's Tom Kaminski, who took an aerial photo of the reconfigured playing field from his traffic helicopter.
"You're asking a hitter if he prefers a more hitter-friendly field," Wright wrote in an email after seeing the photo.
The Mets believe that cozier dimensions in right-center should benefit righthanded hitters such as Wright and catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who have power to the opposite field. But the biggest beneficiary might be lefthanded pull hitter Curtis Granderson, who lost as many as seven homers in 2014 because of how distant the right-centerfield wall was at Citi Field, general manager Sandy Alderson has said.
When the park first opened in 2009, the wall in right-center was more than 400 feet from the plate. When the outfield fences were moved for the first time after the 2011 season, that distance was reduced to 398 feet.
This renovation is limited to right-center. Photographs depict a distance that now is more comparable to left-center, which is roughly 385 feet from the plate.
"It smooths it out a bit, makes it a little more symmetrical," one team official said of the changes. "The general premise is to make it a fairer ballpark for hitters and pitchers and a little less gimmicky."
The official called the adjustments "more of a tweak than a big change."
Injury update. Wright will be examined by doctors in the next couple of weeks to gauge his recovery from ligament damage in his shoulder, an injury that marred his 2014 season.
"Hopefully, [it's] good news and then I can progress into a pretty normal offseason," said Wright, who is on a strengthening program in hopes of avoiding surgery.
