Four Top Baseball Stadium Renovations For 2010

 Redland Field, the precursor to Crosley Field, Cincinnati (Wikipedia)

On May 24th, 1935, beginning with a ceremonial button-pushing miles away by President Franklin Roosevelt, Cincinnati's Crosley Field was the first stadium to install lights in their ballpark. The night at the ballpark tradition was born, its first few marked by on-field drunken debauchery and burlesque dancers posing as players. After the buzz wore off, with the new stadium came a renewed interest in the club; the Cincinnati Reds went on to host the All-Star Game in 1936, then won their first pennant in 20 years in 1939 and their first World Series championship a year later.

In 1988, the Chicago Cubs were the last team in the majors to install stadium lights. They have still not won a World Series in more than 100 years.

Just a coincidence, right? Nah -- it's probably just a cursed goat or something.

Whether it builds team mojo or not, team executives bluster about their state-of-the-art stadium renovations year after year in hopes of stoking fan interest. Let's take a look at four major stadium additions and changes and decide whether or not it'll help the team in question, and whether it'll make the stadium worth a road-trip visit.

4. Progressive Field
Cleveland Indians
I've Been to Cleveland / I Want To Go to Cleveland

(Photo by fusionpanda at Flickr)

What's new for 2010: Aside from the entire team? Attendees are going to need any diversion they can get from this year's Indians squad, who were forced to trade away overpriced veteran stars for future talent. Fans can now put off their future championship dreams in the newly-installed FanCave, a massive suite in the outfield for 12 people with six high-def screens, a beer fridge, sports-themed furniture (hopefully a glove-seat), pool and ping-pong tables, and arcade games. And all this costs but a cool $3,900! Per game! To be fair, that's only a shade more than my average night at Dave and Buster's.
Worth a road trip?: It's a nice field if you have an open weekend and your team is in town, but you might be better off heading to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Prediction: Some dude pays $3,900 just so he can utter the phrase "...To the FanCave!"

3. Miller Park
Milwaukee Brewers
I've Been to Milwaukee / I Want To Go to Milwaukee

(Photo by Chad Davis at Flickr)

What's new for 2010: They weren't always the Brewers, and no one may know this better than career home-run king Hank Aaron. He played out his early days on the Milwaukee Braves, moving with the team to Atlanta in 1965; Milwaukee's team then became the Brewers, and in 1975 Aaron was traded back to Milwaukee, where he'd smack his now-record 755th home run.

To commemorate their early days as the Braves, Miller Park, one of the most beautiful modern stadiums in the country, now sports a Wall of Honor with plaques to honor Hank and co.'s Brave days on the third-base side. Fans can also enjoy new green lighting (well, it's yellow... but you get the idea), a new open view of the radial roof control room ("Yeah! Open that roof!") and the privilege of a brand new stadium store, where they can now undoubtedly purchase vintage Milwaukee Braves merchandise well above their suggested retail price.
Prediction: Prince Fielder gets inspired by team's former glory; lobbies to move team to Atlanta.  Fails. Eats himself into oblivion.
Worth a road trip? For the Sausage Race alone. But the park remains in MLB's top shelf, too. Go there.

2. Fenway Park
Boston Red Sox
I've Been to Boston / I Want To Go to Boston

 (photo by wallyg at Flickr)

What's new for 2010: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the legendary stadium, the Red Sox are finally putting into place huge upgrades ten years in the making. After their controversial decision to add seats above the Green Monster, Fenway's new facelift takes it further: Box seats near the field get cupholders and cushions. There's a new stairway, wider concourses, brand new large restroom areas, and an expanded concession spot. Speaking of concessions, standard hot-dog-and-beer fare is a thing of the past -- that is, wieners now come gluten-free or vegetarian, and Sawx fans can now devour double cheeseburgers, grilled chicken bistro sandwiches, stromboli, and chicken parmesan and Italian meatball subs with Aramark's new menu.
Worth a road trip?: Before and after renovations, Fenway Park is a must-see. Wear armor if the Yankees are in town, but you knew that.
Prediction: David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis go vegetarian, lose 50 pounds by the All-Star Break.

1. Target Field
Minnesota Twins
(I've Been to Minneapolis / I Want To Go to Minneapolis)

(Photo by tonyfro at Flickr)

What's new for 2010: Target Field is the renovation, in fact. In the works for years and finally set for its coming-out party, Target Field replaces the old cookie-cutter park, the Metrodome, with a new open-air field sporting a classic look that should give the team a marked spark in interest and attendance.

The centerpiece is the 101 ft by 57 ft high-def scoreboard (pictured above), making our dads cry bitter tears of nostalgia for days where you can see score-keepers' hands peeking out of the box score. For the temperamental springs and falls of chilly Minnesota, the stadium has built-in warming shelters, sure to be overloaded if the team makes it to the frigid playoff months. It's also only the second LEED-certified "green" sports stadium in the United States.

Last year, in their first season at Citi Field, the New York Yankees won the World Series, and just a few years before, the St. Louis Cardinals won the 2006 Series in the inaugural year of the new Busch Stadium. But don't bring this up to Mets and Nationals fans, whose two recently-erected parks haven't been more than shiny new toys.

Worth a road trip?: I hear dreamboat homegrown catcher Joe Mauer, fresh from what is essentially a lifetime contract, is worth the drive.
Prediction: The team is as re-tooled as the stadium, and the Twinkies are overdue to take it all home. But methinks the mojo falls just a bit short -- Twins lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2010 Series. (What's that? Psssh.. Of course I'm not a Cardinals fan. No way, bro, nuh-uh. Except I mean yeah I am.)