Red Sox Owners Closer to Decision on Fate of Fenway Park

Model of FENWAY PARK II inside the current FENWAY: Could FENWAY II still get built in the future ? ? ?


I've never been to FENWAY (I've only driven by this once on I-90) but I understand that its an institution, like WRIGLEY & YANKEE STADIUM (even after its mid 1970's renovation). I know that previous ownership (John Harrington & Co.) looked at renovation vs. a new ballpark and were decided on the latter. I think the State of Taxachusetts/City of Boston approved the money to help build a new FENWAY PARK south of the current one (total cost was in the $500 million range), but John ended up selling the team to John Henry/Tom Werner & Co. a couple of years ago. Henry-Werner have looked heavily into renovating Fenway and have done some minor renovations during their ownership (i.e. seats above the GREEN MONSTER, more seats on the roof, etc.).


But I think these guys are going to face something that economically they will have to do; FENWAY is going to need to be replaced. YOu can add only so many seats to that small site. The team already has the highest ticket prices in MLB and the smallest capacity. I think the early plans for FENWAY II would have capacity at 43-45,000. That's about 10-12,000 more seats per game. Over 81 games, that's a whole lot of money that can be used to help pay players. Plus considering how big RED SOX nation is in New England, those extra seats in FENWAY II would allow even more fans to watch the games.


THE BOTTOM LINE: Werner & Henry will finally have to say what many diehards don't want to hear; A new Fenway Park will be built. Its going to cost even more money now ($600-700 million). If FENWAY residents fight successfully to prevent FENWAY II to be built near the current ballpark, then the owners will be forced to look at other options (South Boston, suburbs, etc.).


RED SOX Owners debate Renovated FENWAY or Build FENWAY II


Ballparks.com Info On FENWAY PARK II


NOTE: The Poll question is not I-F you think Fenway should be replaced, but whether or not the owners W-I-L-L eventually replace it or renovate the current Fenway

 

Saw the Yanks and the Sox at Fenway one summer while on choir tour. We sat out in centerfield, where you get a real good view of shots off and over the Monster. The bus driver bought me a beer (I was 19 at the time), and I bullshitted with Sox fans. A good game and a great experience.

 

Great old ball yard. Saw them play the Yankees and A's back to back. McGwire and Canseco taking BP was the shit.

 

best sports event i've ever been to. awesome place. i hate to see them even touch it, but i pray for renovating instead of a new stadium.

 

yep, yep! renovate it!!

 

place is nasty inside (corridors, bathrooms) but I'd rather see renovations than new.

 

If they tear it down, I would seriously consider dropping the Sox as my favorite team. I mean, jeebus - it Fenway Fucking Park.

 

its like tearin down yankee stadium. god i hate em, but that is sacriligous shit.

 

Whatever Red Sox owners decide to do, the taxpayers of Bahston/Commonwealth of Taxachusettes will pay most of the bill. If they don't, then the team will just move to the burbs and build Fenway II there . . I'm sure a fringe city would love to be home of the RED SOX!!