AFTER just one homestand of games at the new Yankee Stadium, chatter about the House That George Built shifted quickly from its palatial architecture and exorbitant price tag to its home-run hospitality - 26 longballs through the opening six games.
It's just a sample-size non-starter for serious statisticians but certainly suggestive of a hitter's haven, especially for batters able to loft fly balls to right, where 17 of the 26 have landed. That's good news, fantasy-wise, for Yankees switch-hitters Mark Teixeira and Jorge Posada, who take the majority of their hacks from the port side and lefthanded swingers such as Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui. It also is good news for right-handed hitters with oppositefield power, such as inside-out guru Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, coming to theaters near you next month.
Whether the apparent Bronx Jet Stream endures into the warmer summer months remains to be seen, so here is an assortment of other players whose numbers will be affected by their new home parks this season:
Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies
Some questioned the wisdom of signing a 36-year-old outfielder to a rich, threeyear deal, but so far the former Mariner is paying major dividends for the defending champs. The move from expansive Safeco Field to cozy Citizens Bank Park had translated into a league-leading five homers, .769 slugging percentage and 1.190 OPS through Wednesday.
Matt Holliday, OF, A's
Might the vaunted Coors Field effect have made another borderline All-Star seem like a bona fide superstar? The ex-Rockie was homerless through his first 13 games.
Javier Vazquez, SP, Braves
Through three starts in 2009, Vazquez was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 25 strikeouts and one homer allowed in 18 innings. The relocation from a bandbox (Chicago's U.S. Cellular) to the neutral Turner Field will only help.
Brad Penny, SP, Red Sox
If recent arm woes weren't enough to scare you off, this might: After nine years pitching in the Marlins' and Dodgers' relatively spacious stadiums, his mail now arrives at little ol' Fenway Park, which has the third-worst park effect for pitchers. Despite a 2-0 record, he's allowing an alarming 2.4 homers per nine innings.
