1980 Park Factors Review - NL

As stipulated by our commissioner park factors will be adjusted every three years, 1977 was our first year so this new 1980 season will bring us some interesting changes in that department, let’s take a look.

NL East

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (ATL) craziness was toned down a bit, it will remain as one of the scariest parks in the league nonetheless and his hitters loaded roster won’t have to worry about a decline in run production.

There is no man happier than Hideo Tanaka in Montreal, The Stade Olympique (MON) increased his HR factor for left handed batters 0.250 points, his HR production was incredible last year even in a non ideal park, the table is set for an interesting year for the japanese superstar.

Shea Stadium (NYM) saw his outfield reduced, it will help some of his young power hitters like Dotson, Coleman and Vargas and hinder his low movement rotation production. Is a rebuilding year for the Mets anyway so no one should be concerned in New York.

Veterans Stadium (PHI) reduced his left handed HR factor 0.260 and that’s good for his right handed loaded pitching staff but not so good for Salvatore Dones who hitted a career high 23 homers last season.

Marlins Park (FLO) remains unchanged.

NL Central

Busch Stadium II (STL) increased his triples and HR right handed batters factor, the majority of the Cardinals roster won’t get heavily affected by these changes, maybe Craig Bassett (RHB, 45 power and 80 gap power) could use these more ideal factors to turn around a disappointing start of his career.

Riverfront Stadium (CIN) had one of the most drastic changes this season with a flip in his HR factors. His HR factor for left handed batters increased 0.360 points and will be a nightmare for right handed pitchers facing his stud loaded lineup. Perez, Karr, Freiman and Block are salivating.

Another park with a serious flip in HR factors this year is Wrigley Field (CHI). His HR right handed batter factor was reduced 0.260 points, not ideal for his young superstar Jared McCombs who in his debut season scored 37 homers in 139 games.

Astrodome (HOU) and Three Rivers Stadium (PIT) didn’t suffer radical changes as the previous parks but his triples factor increased a substantial amount like in the majority of NL Central parks.

NL West

Not much to say about the NLW, subtle changes in the majority of parks, a drastic reduction in the triples factor for Candlestick Park (SF) and Coors Field (COL) remains unchanged.