Reid Ryan currently runs the team’s Triple-A Round Rock and Double-A Corpus Christi organizations, as both affiliates are owned by Nolan Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders. Ryan will be introduced to the media tomorrow, according to McTaggart. The position became open earlier this week when George Postolos abruptly resigned.

Ryan’s playing career was a far cry from the success his father saw on the mound. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 1994 Draft, taken in the 17th Round, and spent two seasons in the team’s minor league organization. In 162.1 IP he’d post a 5-15 record and 6.04 ERA to go along with 5.7 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9. He’d never pitch above High-A and didn’t win a game after his first season at Low-A.

New York Yankees (23-13 overall, 5-1 last week)

Wells continues to exceed expectations (Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees continue to fight through injuries on their way to the top spot in the AL East. They faced the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field earlier in the week and scored only six runs in the three-game set, while being shutout in one of them. The Yanks haven’t had much luck at Coors, but they scratched out two of three behind some great pitching from Hiroki Kuroda (tough-luck loser in the first game), David Phelps, and CC Sabathia/Adam Warren.

In the second series of the week, the Yankees swept the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte got back on track after a few poor starts each, and Kuroda pitched another gem and was rewarded with a win. Meanwhile, Vernon Wells, who had previously been lost at the plate for the better half of two weeks, collected six hits (two home runs) in 21 plate appearances (.286 batting average).

• Analysis:

Coming into the season the Yankees needed to rely on their veteran-laden pitching staff to carry them until their power came back. With Curtis Granderson currently on a rehab assignment in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the club will be glad to have him back. The question becomes, which one of Ichiro Suzuki or Wells takes a seat? The pitching staff has done their job for the most part, and the scrap heap free agent pick ups have exceeded expectations in order to help navigate through the early season injury disaster.

—-

Baltimore Orioles (23-15 overall, 4-2 last week)

The O’s were second the AL East last week, and they haven’t moved this week. Their consistency is indicative of how the culture has changed in Baltimore under manager Buck Showalter. They took both series’ this week facing both the the Royals and Minnesota Twins. Against the former, they were outscored 12-11, but won two of three. Meanwhile, Tommy Hunter pitched very well out of the ‘pen for the O’s this week by collecting two wins and striking out four hitters in 3.2 innings of work.

The bats came to life in the Twins series as the O’s plated 20 runs en route to another series win. Third baseman, Manny Machado, continues to rake in his first full season by collecting nine hits in 16 at-bats (.563 batting average), which included two RBI and three runs scored. The kid has a solid .331/.370/.521 slash line this season. The bats exploded in the first game against the Twins when the O’s spotted them six runs before they clawed their way back into the game and eventually won it in extras, 8-6.

• Analysis:

While hitters carried the team in the second series of the week, it was the pitchers who kept the team in their first series. Speaking of pitchers, FanSided’s own Randy Buchman of Birds Watcher opined that the O’s have stockpiled a ton of pitchers lately under GM Dan Duquette, which has helped after injuries to some of their starters. Again, the O’s are following the same formula they did last year, pitching keeps them in the game, and the batters get timely hits. They are a pesky bunch of youngsters, and as long as Showalter and Duquette are running the show, the club will always contend.

—-

Boston Red Sox (22-16 overall, 2-5 last week)

It was a rough week for the Red Sox as they lost a four-game series to the Twins and a three-game series to division rivals Toronto Blue Jays. Perhaps the worst part was both series’ were at Fenway. Twice last week their pitching staff gave up more than 10 runs, which is the exact opposite of how Boston won their games earlier in the year. Overall, in their last ten games they’ve gone 2-8 and have lost their slim lead in the AL East.

After an excellent April in which Ryan Dempster held opponents to a paltry .187/.279/.364 slash line against him in 122 plate appearances, he has regressed toward the mean. Last month he allowed four homers, but in May, he’s already given up five, including three in yesterday’s game against the Blue Jays.

• Analysis

The Red Sox were hit with an injury bug this month. First, Andrew Bailey goes down with a bicep injury that’ll likely keep him out until sometime this week, maybe a little longer. Meanwhile, closer Joel Hanrahan is out for the season after it was found he needs his flexor tendon repaired, which he might opt to have Tommy John surgery if there’s damage to the UCL as well. Finally, outfielder Shane Victorino (.308/.370/.393, 108 wRC+) crashed awkwardly into the right field fence at Fenway and injured his ribs; his status going forward is unknown. Good teams find a way around injuries, and last year the Red Sox buckled when player after player went down. However, this is a different team under manager John Farrell, one where pitching is paramount to their success, not hitting. Losing two of your best bullpen arms in successive weeks is very tough to overcome.

—-

Longoria continues his hot hitting this season (Image: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Tampa Bay Rays (19-18 overall, 5-2 last week)

Don’t look now, but the Rays just might be making their yearly push to the top. After a disappointing April in which they went 12-14, they’ve started May with a 7-4 record. Saying that, they rattled off five wins against below-average teams in the Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres this week. Only one starter earned a win (Matt Moore), as many of their wins came from runs scoring in the 7th inning or later. Against the Padres on Saturday they were down 6-5 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth before Evan Longoria launched a two-run home run into the left center field seats at the Trop. All in all last week, they scored 44 runs and surrendered 34 in seven games, which is a shade below giving up five runs per contest.

• Analysis

This is how the Rays got to the playoffs in years past, timely hitting in the later innings coupled with great starting pitching. They have a tough road for the rest of the month as they face all AL East competition. They’ll play the Red Sox and Yankees at home, while the series against the Orioles and Blue Jays will be on the road. Longoria continues his dominance at the plate, hitting .333/.403/.610 with nine home runs and 26 RBI. However, outside James Loney‘s .376/.429/.560 slash line, the Rays offense ranks in the middle of the pack in the AL.

—-

Toronto Blue Jays (15-24 overall, 4-3 last week)

It’s been a rough year for the Jays, but they recorded a winning record against AL East opponents this week against the Rays and Red Sox. Ricky Romero made his second start of the season and he continues his descent by giving up three runs on four hits while recording only one out in his start against the Rays. Not much else to say other than this team has the pieces to make some noise, but they just haven’t put it all together yet, but this week was a positive step in the right direction.

• Analysis

While they still remain 9.5 games back in the division, their bats are beginning to make some headway, especially Jose Bautista‘s. He lifted his average nearly 20 points (from .228 to .246) after going on a tear this week (.318/.407/.727) including two home runs and three doubles. Likewise, Edwin Encarnacion had a good week, hitting .286/.407/.571 with two home runs and six RBI. On the hitting side, these two need to come to life a bit more if the Jays want to make a run at the playoffs. This lineup has the potential to put up some gaudy numbers, it’s the pitching that needs to limit the runs a tad more.

—-

Food for Thought

• With Grandersoncoming back for the Yankees, who takes seat in the outfield: Wells, Brett Gardner, or Ichiro?
• Are the O’s the same team as the Rays were circa 2008-2011?
• Bad pitching hurt the Red Sox last season, with the new injuries to the back end of the pitching staff, is the club doomed again?
• If a long-term injury to Longoria were to occur, would the Rays season be done for?
• Outside Bautista, who is one player that really needs to get it going for the Jays?

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference and Fangraphs. Injury notes courtesy of Baseball Prospectus

All of the questions that build up over the offseason start to get answered. It’s the first page of the story of the season.

April 1, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the first inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

That’s when the key figures emerge. On Monday, the marquee matchup featured the World Champion San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain against the Los Angeles Dodgers and 2011 Cy Young Award winner (and last year’s runner up) Clayton Kershaw. Through six innings, it was as advertised as both pitchers had yet to give up a run.

Cain left after his six, but Kershaw was just getting started. Not only did he homer off of Giants reliever George Kontos leading off the eighth inning, but he went the distance, giving up only four hits (all singles) in a shutout effort. He struck out seven and walked none. If you could draw up the ideal performance for an ace, Kershaw followed every step.

On the other side of the country this afternoon, two other big name stars were getting off to a good start. Bryce Harper crushed two homers – the only runs of the game – and Stephen Strasburg cruised through seven shutout innings as the Washington Nationals took the first step towards another National League East division title.

Justin Verlander could have used more pitch efficiency, but he still got five scoreless innings finished en route to an Opening Day win. He struck out seven. Chris Sale stepped up with 7.2 excellent innings in carrying the bulk of the load in Chicago’s shutout of the Kansas City Royals (and James Shields, the all-in acquisition by Dayton Moore, made one mistake in six innings, giving up the only run of the game). Troy Tulowitzki homered in his first game since last May for the Colorado Rockies. Felix Hernandez left after 7.2 innings for the Seattle Mariners – he struck out eight and gave up no runs.

Apr 1, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) (right) reacts with his brother center fielder B.J. Upton (2) after hitting a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Other faces in new places made a good first impression with their new teams. Torii Hunter had two hits in his Tigers debut. Justin Upton hit his first homer for the Atlanta Braves. Martin Prado, the key piece sent back to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Upton, had two doubles for his new club.

Some stars ended up the victim of circumstance though. Cain’s fine showing was overshadowed by Kershaw, and the lefty’s dominance ran over Buster Posey. Josh Hamilton‘s first game with the Los Angeles Angels saw him get caught in a low-temperature, low-scoring affair, and he struck out twice. Joey Votta ran into Jered Weaver‘s strong six inning start. The irresistible force meets the immovable object – something has to give.

That’s the great part of today. You see the best face the best. Everyone’s tied for first at the start of the day, but once the first pitch is thrown, to season’s story starts to be written.

Tim McCarver (right) and Joe Buck have worked together since 1996. (Image Credit: nydailynews.com via Google Images search)

Baseball has been the center of Tim McCarver’s life for the past 55 seasons, first for 21 years as a player before a transition into the broadcast booth. 2013 will be his last season behind a microphone, as FOX Sports announced earlier this evening that the now 71 year old will retire at season’s end. There is no word who might be considered as a possible replacement.

McCarver’s playing career began when he signed as an amateur free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was just 17. He’d appear in 82 games that season for two of the team’s minor league affiliates, hitting a combined .359/.384/.435 before making his debut in St. Louis. He’d split his time over the following three seasons between the minor leagues and the Cardinals bench before taking over the starting job behind the plate for good. He’d play in the All Star Game in 1966 and 1967 while hitting .276/.330/.398 over the next seven seasons. St. Louis went to three World Series during that stretch, winning twice.

Following the 1969 season the Cardinals traded McCarver to the Philadelphia Phillies. Midway through 1972 they sent him to the Montreal Expos, who’d turn around and trade him six months later to the Cardinals. After a year plus in St. Louis his contract was purchased by the Boston Red Sox. Less than a year later they’d release him, at which point he’d sign with the Phillies to finish out the final six seasons of his career.

In 1,909 career games he posted a .271/.337/.388 line. His 1967 campaign – in which he hit .295/.369/.452 with career highs of 14 HR and 69 RBI – was good enough to place him second in NL MVP voting. His career spanned long enough for him to catch a number of impressive hurlers, including both Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton during the 1968 season.

With the completion of his playing career, McCarver stepped into the broadcast booth beginning with a stint covering games in Philadelphia. He soon transitioned into a more national role, working with NBC, ABC, and CBS at various points. He’s been part of the FOX Sports baseball coverage since 1996, working alongside Joe Buck. In 2012 he was awarded with the Ford C. Frick Award from the Hall of Fame.

There will be a segment of the national fanbase that will miss McCarver’s stories and anecdotes on the key FOX broadcasts (mostly the Saturday national game). There will also, however, be a good amount of people who will welcome the change as McCarver’s nonsensical ramblings have been making us weary for years.

I fall into that latter group, as many of you who know me personally can attest to.

I have no problem acknowledging the accomplishments of his on-field career and have respect for what McCarver was able to accomplish. I also have to give him credit for sustaining such a lengthy career in the broadcast booth. However, in recent years he’s just simple become insufferable. He’s long winded and occasionally appears to almost get lost in his own stories. He’s an incredible homer for the National League. Every once in awhile he’ll start on a rant about something and he’ll keep going until Joe Buck reels him back in. McCaver’s time to retire came a few years ago.

Now, I can accept that not everyone falls under the same opinion as I with regards to McCarver, but I’m not exactly sorry to see that he’ll be stepping away from the booth following this coming season. What will be curious to see, however, is who ends up garnering consideration as his potential replacement. That could be an intriguing discussion. Who would you like to see replace him?

(Image Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports)

Collecting baseball cards has long been a hobby for many baseball fans, despite the ups and downs the industry has seen in past years. Options have diminished in recent years thanks to changes that the industry has gone through, some of which were necessary for a marketplace that had been overrun by the sheer volume of options available, but one company has remained consistent through most of their efforts. Now it would seem the Topps Company has reached an agreement with Major League Baseball and the MLBPA to extend their exclusive licensing agreement as the chief supplier of baseball cards, according to details passed along by Chris Olds, the Editor of Beckett Baseball. Topps’ new deal runs through the 2020 season.

Topps, the longest running manufacturer of baseball cards, has been in business since the 1950s and first signed a licensing agreement with the MLBPA in 1969. They’ve long held a significant place within the industry and this deal ensures that they will continue to do so.

Howard Smith, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Licensing, released a statement on the new agreement:

Since making Topps our exclusive baseball card licensee, they have continually validated that decision by bringing clarity to the marketplace and reinvigorating the hobby, especially among young people. Generations of baseball fans have grown more attached to the game through collecting baseball cards and Topps is continually coming up with new and creative ways to reach the next generation.

Since the 2010 season, Topps has been the exclusive retailer of MLB licensed cards – meaning they’re the only ones permitted to use team logos, player names, and the like. Other retailers, such as Panini America, have produced variations of cards in recent years (Panini received their license in September 2011) but have been left to focus mostly on retired players (who’s likenesses are no longer controlled by MLBPA agreements) and more non-traditional images. Upper Deck released a set of player cards early in the 2011 season but met a lawsuit by the MLBPA and Topps over their violating of the existing agreement between the two sides and infringing on trademark rights. Olds also notes that Upper Deck has once again come to an agreement with the MLBPA to produce cards, though these will fall under the same restrictions and guidelines that Panini must follow.

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8), along with the Yankees Alex Rodriguez is the face of the Biogenesis PED investigation. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Many media members and fans thought the “Steroid Era” could be relegated to a certain spot in time, with only occasional reminders of the past. However a decrease in the amount of positive results and the creeping resurgence of offensive numbers should have been a warning. Blood testing will not stop PED use any more than police using radar can eradicate speeding. As long as ego, money and human nature are involved, there will always be the temptation to gain an unethical advantage in sport. The sad is that the news no longer shocks or surprises, many of baseball’s stars and heroes have been exposed as frauds.

For Rodriguez and Braun, the damage to their reputation and the perception of their careers is irreversible. A contrite Rodriguez’s offered a mea culpa following a 2009 Sports Illustrated expose, claiming he only used PED’s in the early 2000’s. Following his admission, A Rod helped lead the Yankees to the World Series title in 2009, winning the Series MVP along the way. Rodriguez seemed to have been partially vindicated. Nobody would have ever gone back to using so fast, and he was so forthcoming in his admission. Now, could Rodriguez’s entire career be viewed as a fraud, possibly using since his high school days at Westminster Christian, following the lead of fellow Miami native Jose Canseco?

For Braun, his explanation is at once plausible and damning. Braun claims to have sought the services of Anthony Bosch as a consultant during his suspension appeal. Braun tested positive for synthetic testosterone following his 2011 MVP season. Those that followed his case knew that the overturning of his positive test result was based on technicality involving testing procedure rather than Braun disputing the actual finding of the test. Who better to seek advice from than an expert at avoiding PED detection and deflecting blame than a snake oil salesman like Bosch. No matter the final result of the Biogenesis investigation, the public will better understand the facts of Braun’s 2011 appeal.

The names of Bobby Estalella and Randy Velarde are not well remembered in the BALCO case a generation ago,just as the names of Francisco Cervelli and Danny Valencia will be little more than a footnote in this episode. Rodriguez and Braun will not suffer the same fate. As more players possibly become implicated in the investigation, MVP’s Braun and Rodriguez are cast as the  headliners. Rodriguez and Braun may never face a 50 game suspension for first time PED offenders, they have not generated a positive test result. But the damage to their credibility and their perceived guilt in the court of public opinion will haunt them, like it has haunted Bonds and Clemens, for the rest of their careers.

Dec 3, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman answers questions from the media during the Major League Baseball winter meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

The Yankees find themselves in an interesting position these days. The whole Alex Rodriguez thing and all that. There are a lot of potential moves to explore, a lot of ins and outs and whathaveyous. There’s insurance claims and PED suspicions and busted old hips and over 100 million dollars on the line. And people are talking, sources, even. There is Word and whenever there is Word in sports it is the Sports Journalists who are to pass on the Word and tell us what it means. Jon Heyman is one such Sports Journalist, and he would like everyone to know about this complicated insurance business surrounding A-Rod and how it all applies to the New York Yankees Baseball Club. Here’s what he has submitted for our consideration:

Teams don’t insure a lot of position players but the Yankees wisely insured A-Rod’s record $275-million pact, and word is significant missed time could result in the Yankees recovering 80 percent of the bucks due A-Rod, provided the insurer doesn’t put up its own stink.

Rock solid. Why haven’t the Yankees already started this process? Provided the insurer doesn’t put up its own stink, then this plan of action if foolproof. A-Rod is insured, the Yankees stand to recover a gross sum of money were they to file a claim with the insurer. If I know anything about insurance companies, it’s that they are completely reasonable, eager to service the needs of their customers, and never, ever, put up their own stink. That my friends, is what we call a slam dunk home run. As a matter of fact, following this logical thread to its inevitable conclusion, I now see a whole shitload of awesome baseball moves the Yankees can make using this new line of thinking. Moves such as:

• Swing a trade for ace pitcher Felix Hernandez, provided the Seattle Mariners don’t put up their own stink.
• Sign star second baseman Robinson Cano to a long-term, below market value contract extension, provided Cano doesn’t put up his own stink.
• Win every single baseball game next season, provided all of their opponents don’t put up their own stink.
• Hire an unsavory former gambler-type to investigate and “dig up dirt” on Rodriguez in an attempt to hasten his exit from the team, provided—oh, wait.
• Move aging superstar and franchise icon Derek Jeter to left field as to benefit from stronger defense at the shortstop position, provided Jeter doesn’t put up his own stink.
• Bring back beloved owner and managing partner George Steinbrenner from the dead to lead the team to glory, provided the limits of human mortality, space, and time don’t put up their own stink.

Kyle writes baseball nonsense at The Trance of Waiting. You can follow him on Twitter @AgainstKyle.

Just ask Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera, or countless others. Life has changed since the public learned of their involvement with PEDs.

Once again it would appear that Alex Rodriguez is finding his name linked to PED use and the news couldn’t come at a worse time for the injured veteran. (Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Now, with Spring Training just about two weeks away, new allegations have been revealed and a number of active players are being pulled into the mix. In a story for the Miami New Times, Tim Elfrink discusses (at length) the connections that a Miami-based anti-aging clinic known as Biogenesis has to multiple professional athletes. The information is based on countless documents, including a database of sales and treatment information and a number of hand-written journals, acquired from a three month investigation by the paper into the clinic’s activities. The investigation allegedly included interviews with multiple customers and former employees of the clinic, which had been run for years by Anthony Bosch.

Bosch was once linked to PEDs before, when Manny Ramirez was first found in violation of MLB’s PED policies in 2009. Ramirez claimed at the time that the substance he tested positive for, HCG, had been prescribed by his “personal doctor”. MLB investigated Bosch and his father at the time, but no formal charges were filed.

While Elfrink’s piece is lengthy and detailed, the crux of the issue is this: Additional players have reportedly been utilizing Bosch and his Biogenesis clinic to acquire PEDs over the past few years.

Rodriguez is named multiple times across Bosch’s journals, including specifics on scheduling and “treatment”. Cabrera is also listed, even with a seemingly hand-written letter regarding his suspension from this past summer. As are Yasmani Grandal and Cesar Carrillo, who both have ties to the University of Miami, which is located across the street from the clinic. UM’s strength and conditioning coach, Jimmy Goins, is also listed as a “client”.

Nelson Cruz and Gio Gonzalez both appear in the journals, despite the fact that neither has been connected to or accused of taking PEDs at any point in their careers up to this point. The Texas Rangers have already released a statement regarding Cruz, merely confirming that they had been contacted by the Miami New Times and that they’d notified MLB. Essentially, they gave a “no comment”. Gonzalez, meanwhile, allegedly purchased a substance (something called AminoRip) that may not actually be banned by MLB.

For Rodriguez, this news couldn’t come at a worse time. The veteran has already undergone surgery on his hip that will cost him at least half the upcoming season and possibly all of it. He’s an admitted PED user, though he swears that was only centralized for a three year window when he played for the Rangers. Yet, if Bosch’s journals hold up, it would appear that Rodriguez has continued to use various PEDs over the past few seasons. Not only will his reputation be further tarnished, but there could even be recourse permitting the Yankees to void what remains of his contract (roughly $114 Million over the next five years).

Major League Baseball has launched their own formal investigation, something that has actually been rumored to be in the works for a few weeks now, in light of the story coming out by the Miami New Times. It’s worth noting that some of these players, notably Cruz and Gonzalez, have never failed a drug test in the past so one has to be careful not to jump to any conclusions regarding their alleged involvement here. While the accusations have huge ramifications for both, ultimately it might be Rodriguez that faces the biggest hit from this new report.

Great American Ballpark has already hosted some big games, but will reportedly be the host of the 2015 All Star Game. (Image Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)

Three teams were known to be bidding for the 2015 game – the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Washington Nationals – but according to reports coming out late Monday the game will be awarded to Cincinnati. An official announcement is expected for Wednesday.

If reports are accurate, this will be the first All Star Game to be held at Great American Ballpark (which opened in 2003) and the first time Cincinnati has gotten to host the event since 1988.

The All Star Game, Home Run Derby and accompanying FanFest events have become sure-fire sell outs for the hosting teams and cities, driving revenues over the five day span that events fall within. Cincinnati ownership has been pushing to host the event since taking over the franchise in 2006, but they weren’t expected to be the favorite to win the 2015 event. That honor was expected to go to Washington, who’ll now likely have to wait at least until 2017 for the honor.

Over the weekend at their annual FanFest, the Cubs revealed plans for a $300 Million renovation project that will take roughly five years to complete. Furthermore, the team is prepared to pay for it themselves, if needed, but they’re hopeful that the City of Chicago will be able to kick in some public funds considering the various limitations that the Cubs operate under annually.

$300 Million in renovations could make the live experience for even the most rabid Cubs fans a more enjoyable one. (Image Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)

Since Wrigley Field is located within a residential neighborhood, the Cubs are faced with more restrictions that most teams in Major League Baseball. They are limited to roughly 30 night games a year, none of which can be scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights. They’re also limited in how much external advertisements they can sell, both in and around the ballpark. The team has asked the city to relax some of these guidelines if the team is to pay for the full extent of renovations as it would permit them to better utilize the stadium, thus recouping the expenditures more effectively. The plans would also create roughly 2,100 jobs in the process, another factor that team ownership hopes will appeal to the taxpayers that live in the neighborhood.

Renovation plans are expected to address a number of things around the ballpark, beginning with the home clubhouse. There are also plans to improve stadium restrooms, the expansive concourse and concessions. Aspects of the stadium that make it a historical landmark – the center field scoreboard and the famed ivy – will remain untouched.

When ownership in Boston stepped in and “upgraded” Fenway Park is became a boost for the city, the team and the fanbase. They increased seating capacity, improved the fan’s experience and gave people a reason to start coming to games again – with some help from an improved product on field. Chicago can hope for much of the same, presuming that Epstein can successfully rebuild the roster while the organization rebuilds their fabled stadium.