Stadium Preview: Part IX
What originally fueled the B4B idea was to visit each major league baseball stadium across the country. Now that our dreams will become reality beginning in 2012, we will want to share our greatest experiences with followers of our journey. We’ll report on fan devotion, best concessions, most memorable park moment in history and video blogging each 7th inning stretch the B4B crew will sing along to all season. We really want our readers to experience each stadium along with us.
Over the next few months, the B4B blog will be providing previews of each major league stadium. We will give some historical background, along with plenty of pictures. We would love to get fans perspective on each park as well, so please provide feedback on your favorite stadium on facebook and twitter. Our posts will take us from the oldest stadium all the way to the brand new Marlins Stadium. We hope you enjoy.
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field has been home to the Chicago White Sox since the 1991 season. The stadium replaced old Comiskey Park, and was named Comiskey Park itself until U.S. Cellular paid for the naming rights in 2003. The stadium was the first new major sporting facility built in Chicago since Chicago Stadium in 1929. Wrigley Field opened in 1914 and Soldier Field opened in 1924, but the United Center opened three years after U.S. Cellular did.
The stadium sits just to the west of the Dan Ryan Expressway on the south side of Chicago. It was built directly across 35th Street from old Comiskey Park, which was 
demolished to make room for the parking lot for the new stadium. Home plate is marked by a plaque in the sidewalk and the foul lines are painted in the parking lot.
U.S. Cellular Field was built after White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf threatened to move the team to Tampa Bay unless a new stadium was built. He got his wish, and on April 18, 1991, the White Sox proceeded to get pounded in the first game in the new stadium, 16-0 by the Detroit Tigers. Detroit pitcher Frank Tanana pitched a complete game shutout while six White Sox pitchers combined to give up 19 hits, 16 runs, and 5 walks. The game was so out-of-hand that Tigers manager Sparky Anderson let Tanana pinch hit in the 8th inning. He struck out on 3 pitches.
Aside from the first home game, the White Sox have enjoyed success in their new ballpark; playing .560 baseball and winning 932 home games in 21 seasons. In the past decade the team has been successful in acquiring power-hitters who are well-suited to enjoy the hitter friendly dimensions of the park. They’ve had sluggers such as Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Carlos Quentin, Ken Griffey Jr., Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, and Carlos Lee to take advantage of the short porch in both right and left field. U.S. Cellular Field had the fifth highest home run rate in the majors in 2011 according to ESPN.
U.S. Cellular Field has undergone extensive renovations since the 2001 season in response to fans complaints. From what I understand the fans wanted the stadium to be exactly like the old Comiskey, and they were upset when it wasn’t. Now the team is pouring money into the stadium to make the fans forget that they wanted the stadium to look like the old one. Whatever works to make the fans happy, right? I mean, the team does rely on fans coming to the stadium and spending money. Well done, White Sox, for listening to them.
The city of Chicago claims to be a good city for biking. B4B is excited to find out during our trip next summer. We’ll be sure to get tons of pictures at home plate of old Comiskey.