They'll Be Glad When It's Finally Torn Down

Some commentary on 2008 to come, but while you're waiting, a piece I had been waiting to publish...

Shea Stadium was a stat-wrecker to many a good player. Here are a few whose numbers there paled in comparison to those produced elsewhere.

Roberto Clemente

.262 BA
4 HR
35 RBI
70 Games

He hit .317 for his career. Clemente hit .462 at Shea in 1965, but as the Mets pitchers got better, his numbers got worse. From 1969 to 1972, the final four years of his career, Clemente hit .186 at Shea, including .130 in 1969.

Joe Morgan

.235 BA
7 HR
33 RBI
97 Games

Plus a 2-for-12 in the 1973 NLCS

Johnny Bench

.229 BA
11 HR
41 RBI
78 Games

Bench was a sub-.100 hitter at Shea three times: In 1968, 1969, and 1976.

Ozzie Smith

.229 BA
0 HR
21 RBI
112 Games

Yes, he's not in the Hall of Fame for his hitting, but still...the batting average plummets by 30+ points here.

Tony Perez

.227 BA
13 HR
45 RBI
106 Games

Clearly, this was a Big Red Machine issue...

Ken Griffey Jr.

.216 BA
4 HR
11 RBI
26 Games

Probably more representative of Griffey's being on the downside of his career by the time he finally got to Shea than anything else. His dad hit .358 at Shea.

Frank Robinson

.213 BA
5 HR
20 RBI
32 Games

8-for-50 at Shea in 1972/1974, also on the downside of his career by then, but .213 is .213.

Steve Carlton

13-20
3.92 ERA
37 Games

Never could beat Tom Seaver.

Gaylord Perry

9-10
3.53 ERA
24 Games

But an 0.58 ERA in 1964, with a win in the 23-inning game on May 31, 1964

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