True baseball fans mourn the demolition of old ballparks as if they've lost their only son. I do fit into this category, as I sometimes long for the days of Connie Mack Stadium, the old Comiskey Park, and the Astrodome. Tiger Stadium, near me, is a lost cause, a victim of mismanagement, lack of concern by the powers-that-be, and the inability of the stadium's fan base to be heard by those powers.
Fenway Park is the complete opposite, and what a wonderful story it has to tell, especially with this release from their official website. It's amazing that a ballpark built in 1912 can still thrive today, add some modern conveniences, become more fan-friendly, and yet have the ballpark retain its mystic charm and cozy sightlines & atmosphere in near entirety.
This is a result of an ownership that truly cares. Boston has a long history of baseball success, and the ownership realizes this. Even in New York, with the 27 World Series pennants blowing in the breezes, there's talk about moving to a new site, in spite of the House That Ruth Built still the formidable structure that it is.
If I were to go on a ballpark tour, it would be to only two: Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Go beyond the actual attributes of the stadiums themselves, and you'll find ownership groups that know their clubs' long histories and fans' love for their parks. What results is the continuing evolution of ballpark icons that many more generations will grow to love.
Baseball roots itself in its history. What better way to show it than by continuing the tradition of maintaining true treasures like Fenway Park?
Thumbs-up to a group of forward-thinking owners who really do listen to the fans, speak their language and think their thoughts.
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