WARMINGTON: Blue Jays hit home run with stadium renovations
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There’s no better story in baseball than the old legend who makes a comeback and is talked about around the league.
Just like that, the Rogers Centre went from a stadium fans complained about to one everybody was praising. Seems the old dome is in fashion again. In fact, it very well may be that one day baseball historians look at Rogers Centre with the same reverence Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are paid today.
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Think about all of the history with the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, from Joe Carter’s home run to Jose Bautista’s bat flip. The retractable roof has done its job and it’s right downtown. There’s no question the place needed a sprucing up, but it would have been a mistake to tear it down. After all, fans come from the United States to marvel at this unique stadium that actually has a hotel inside it.
In typical Toronto style, sometimes fans look at what they don’t have instead of what they do. The new and improved Rogers Centre is something to celebrate and something for the city to hang on to and not let go. One day this will be one of those venerable quirky stadiums people have a soft spot for.
It was certainly a popular place to be on Tuesday with an announced attendance of 42,053, a sellout at the newly configured park.
Hats off to Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and his team for not only understanding that, but for doing their part to ensure it. The renovations to the nearly 34-year-old stadium are a hit, and there is more to come when they do Round 2 of the $300-million project to upgrade the Rogers Centre into a more modern and interactive baseball experience.
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So far, the renovations are all-star calibre. More fans are on top of the game and the atmosphere’s more fun. The place sure sounded loud Tuesday night.
What was completed over the winter was a big winner with the fans on opening night 2023 versus the Detroit Tigers. A home run! Better yet, a grand slam. The new seats in the 500 level are one thing. The new and improved food entries are another.
But much of the excitement was for the Corona Rooftop Patio. It’s one of many new social areas in the outfield that allow fans to go up and mingle and watch the game from high above the action.
“It’s the best seat in the house,” said Kyle Duffield, whose seat in the 200 section allowed him a chance to head up and get a spot overlooking right field.
“First come, first serve,” the Kitchener resident said with a smile.
He was first in and he got the cool spot — but there’s plenty of cool spots up there.
Another neat addition and attraction is the elevated bullpens, which put the pitchers in the action but also put the fans almost right in the bullpen. You are literally right there to watch the hurlers warm up.
“It is so awesome,” said James Paolicelli, who with his brother Andrew, 8, and pals Oliver, 9, and Cole Hornung, 11, said that is exactly where they want to watch the game.
Who knows, maybe these young baseball players will be called upon to come into a game. They are that close. It’s just so much fun to be back at the park at this home opener. The atmosphere coming into the game was electric — from the free concert by artist Sacha in Union Station to Blue Jays drummer Rockin’ Rick on the beat on Bremner Ave.
This is just the beginning. A promising season is ahead.
And there are more renovations to be excited about for next season for this baseball icon, which is clearly still in the prime of an already brilliant career.
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