Elmhurst Steve wrote:
The Ballpark is a Baseball Shrine. I love it. I have more fond memories of days spent there than I can easily recall. It has history, the likes of which only Yankee Stadium (soon to be leveled) and Fenway Park, can rival. However, it also has falling concrete. They had to install netting to protect fans from injury from it. The bathrooms are gross. The concourses are too narrow. The Clubhouses are tiny. It will be several years before the old park is rebuilt. Until then, I will enjoy the wonderful park, knowing that I will likely see its end one day. But just as Miller Park is a far better ballpark than the old Milwaukee county stadium was and just as U.S. Cellular is a nicer park than old Comisky, the new Park they build, will likely be an upgrade. For fans as well as players, its likely to be more comfortable, cleaner and free of troughs. But it will not be a park where Babe Ruth called his Home Run Shot and a place where so many other greats from the past had played. But once people have the chance to enjoy all the modern amenities, the creature comforts that go along with a modern facility, I suspect they will embrace the new park. There will be a lot of hand wringing when the time comes, but if they rebuild it right, it will be well received by the fans.
The Yankee Stadium that you currently see has essentially been in existence only since 1975, when two (2) year renovations were completed within the existing structure. I have never understood why this has not been done with Wrigley Field. Wrigley could be entirely updated, on its existing site, and not lose any of its historic appeal.