Surely, he didn’t really mean it.
He was overcome by the opulent surroundings at the new Yankee Stadium, and he just lost his head for a minute.
There’s just no way that Carlos Zambrano, the Chicago Cubs ace pitcher, could really want the city of Chicago to replace Wrigley Field.
Or maybe he does.
Zambrano made the comments as he sat in the visitors’ clubhouse at the Yankees’ $1.5 billion stadium before an exhibition game Saturday.
“You come into a ballpark like this and see great things,” he said. “You wish that Chicago’d build a new stadium for the Cubs.”
Heaven forbid.
There is no better place in the world to watch a baseball game than the Friendly Confines. Built in 1914 and home to the Cubs since 1916, Wrigley is the second oldest major league stadium, trailing only Boston’s Fenway Park, which was built in 1912.
Just walking into the place, you can feel the magic. Sitting there in the stands, you can almost hear the voices of the generations of Cub fans who have turned out to watch a game.
Last year, in their 100th season since their last World Series title, the Cubs drew more than 3.3 million fans. And that doesn’t count the thousands who watched the games from the rooftops across the street.
Zambrano is one heck of a pitcher, but he’s obviously no judge of ballparks.
Fortunately, Cubs manager Lou Piniella isn’t jumping on the bandwagon. He liked the Yankees’ new digs, he said, but he can’t wait to get back to Wrigley.
“My favorite time of year is when the ivy turns green,” he said. “It’s really a great environment to play a ball game.”
One of the ballpark’s quirks is the way the ivy planted in 1937 occasionally snares a ball hit to the outfield, but Piniella’s favorite feature is the wind.
“It’s like playing the British Open over there,” he said. “You’ve got to adjust to the weather.”
Certainly, the old ballpark might need some tweaking here and there. Some of the facilities could certainly use an update.
But build a new ballpark? Why on earth would anyone want to do that?
– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, and Kokomo Tribune
Opinion
True shrine of baseball
- Opinion
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Forever thankful
Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.
Memorial Day officially
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Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks for your kindness
Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:
“The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.
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USPS scales back plans
The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.
Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.
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Sign change is overdue
A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.
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Tips on flag etiquette
Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.
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Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012
Carriers collect 19 tons of food
Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:
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Walk a lap, fight cancer
Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.
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Program eyes troubled kids
If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Elissa Andersen might be just the person to call.
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Editorial - May 15, 2012: Hard work still pays
The issue: The Class of 2012.
Our view: Congratulations on your achievement, graduating high school seniors, and remember to thank those who helped you along the way to success.
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de la Bastide: Indiana, the nation lose true statesman
During his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Richard Lugar was noted for his ability to compro-mise when it came to legislation impacting the nation, and as a statesman when it came to foreign policy issues.
- More Opinion Headlines
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Forever thankful




