That time when the Red Sox wanted to build a NEW Fenway Park

Discussing Fenway II or new Fenway Park that was proposed in 1999
My Twitter - / realpatrickmcl

[@ericbaradindo5875]

That “Fenway theater” actually got built it’s called the MGM music hall and it opened last year as a theater/nightclub

[@SC24_]

Yup, pretty cool. Went for a concert there recently

[@tomwellman1554]

I remember this project because we were vacationing in 2001 in Cape Cod and heard about potential new Fenway Park. So my father and I decided to go to game there thinking that the original Fenway Park wasn't going to be there for much longer. Oddly enough that was the last time I went to Fenway Park.

[@rogerlambert9316]

Fenway Park will probably still be around, by the time that humans start colonizing Mars.

[@willisapril]

Larry Lucchino had said it will last till 2050.

[@TheNewChevyRoll48]

Fenway II looks like it would've fit perfectly if it was 2004, but by 2019 it would look already dated. The upper deck would probably get half the seats cut down and replaced with drink rails and a few rows would have to get shaven from the upper deck.

[@DeE-pt5lz]

no it wouldn't, it would look like any other modern ball park the last 20 years, Fenway is actually a bad ballpark to see a game outside of the nostalgia reasons because the sightlines are mainly awful unless you have the "right" seat, but that it is why it is around because of the nostalgia

[@bryantsteury8910]

Totally agree. It doesn't look bad, just a trendy new upgrade that would have faded into "meh" status

[@willisapril]

I am a season ticket holder oof the Worcester Red Sox and Polar Park was designed with drink rails for the upper deck

[@willisapril]

That is exactly what the new Yankee Stadium did. Downsized seating capacity made it more friendly with drink rails.

[@nevertrustbob1291]

Fenway is almost a tourist attraction at this point.

[@torontocards.3326]

You could take out the "almost"

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

Wtf do you mean almost it's a national landmark est 2012

[@taylorchandler7058]

⁠​⁠@@kurtpunchesthings2411 Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia was also a National Landmark. It was sadly removed though.

[@jonstefanik9400]

Almost? It is a tourist attraction

[@scotttild]

@Eragor Eaglor Except Wrigley has had a total renovation for the most part. Fenway has done bits and parts but still a very old park, lots of bad seats, small seats and almost no restrooms. It really is a bit of a pit. It needs to be replaced.

[@johntate131]

Fenway Park will have another 50 years before talking about more renovation. The Henry group spent the last 20 years renovating the old ball park. Red Sox and Fenway Park will be around for more decades

[@Beclevelandyourself2k11]

It will be around for all of eternity

[@ihannah2164]

Fenway cannot ever get replaced!

[@mactheknife7049]

Sure it can. Just in its current location, and one segment at a time. Same as Wrigley has been. Same as Dodger Stadium has been.

[@KevinJGamez]

In 20-30 years that stadium will be rotting, new stadium will be needed. Maybe like ^ he said. Rebuilt the outfield first right field . Keep the monster. And renovate with phases

[@willisapril]

I do love going to games at Polar Park which is why I bought season tickets

[@masp809]

Nothing lasts forever

[@pacman072286]

I live in Boston and I'm a Red Sox but Fenway Park seat wise it sucks big time!

[@cassidybb10]

Whyyyyyy AARRRE YOU YELLLLING?!?!.

[@wilnerolivier7971]

Ironic that the talk about replacing Fenway ceased when the Sox finally won the World Series after 86 years!!

[@rcopdycke]

5:41 “could have done that in the old park…” They did, decades ago!

[@pacman072286]

I'm a Red Sox fan who lives in Boston and Fenway Park seat wise sucks! Little to no leg room or space. People just like this ballpark because it's nostalgic. I prefer seeing the Red Sox on the road than at Fenway Park.

[@stever7157]

Even Tropicana Field or whatever they call the Oakland Coliseum these days?

[@pacman072286]

@@stever7157 I never been there but I bet they probably got better comfortable seats. Only thing good about Fenway is the history and layout but the seats are old uncomfortable.

[@willisapril]

As much as I love Fenway I have grown to love Polar park even more

[@andrewasciutto1420]

Those designs are already outdated. You can see portals in the lower level, new stadiums will always have an open to the field concourse.

[@UnexpectedPlay]

I really like the title for this video, much better than something like "old Red Sox proposed studium" or something like that

[@dogcowrph]

In the sixties a domed, downtown stadium was proposed but of course never built.

[@that_1_channel]

Dodger stadium will close before wrigley and Fenway

[@michaelliszewski5776]

"bright navy blue" **chef kiss**

[@501764727]

This is what would have been called: Pulling a White Sox. A shame they tore down old Comisky and built that turd that has panoramic views of I94 & the housing projects. Like comedian Bill Burr said- you traded in your classic 69 Chevelle for a 92 Ford Taraus.

[@tomharris5169]

The ted williams seat is at fenway

[@joeyvalentino7]

Wish the Yankees would have balked at the “everyone must get a new ballpark” period

[@mbaer5]

I remember alot of people had "Save Fenway" bumper stickers when this was going on.

[@RobMcDougall]

After seeing how the New Yankee Stadium turned out all I can say is thank God this never happened.

[@djtrankilo231]

I hate the Yankees, but even I find it criminal that the old Yankee Stadium got replaced. From what I remember seeing on TV, that stadium looked fine for its age

[@RobMcDougall]

@@djtrankilo231 Same

[@eddiejc1]

The Yankees ownership will never admit they made a huge mistake in replacing Yankee Stadium, but many of their fans do, especially in this year when the House That Ruth Built should have entered the century club.

[@anishraja9655]

@@eddiejc1 To be fair i believe that Old Yankee lost almost all of its charming character after the 1974 renovation. It sort of made it look like a cookie cutter. It was also falling apart. I do believe that they could have renovated it, but building a new one is ok. The only things I wish they had one was 1) copy the original upper deck and 2) follow the original dimensions with a deep left field and a short right field. It didn't have to be as crazy deep as the 1920's version but early 70's dimensions would have been nice.

[@anishraja9655]

@AgentGodzillaRP Ah thank you for reminding me. Damn Knicks.

[@indianapatsfan]

You think this is bad... back in the early 90's there was a serious proposal to build a "Megaplex" on the site of the Hynes Auditorium. The project would have included a new convention center and a domed stadium shared by the Red Sox and Patriots.

[@RobMcDougall]

There was also a Boston Dome plan near south station in 1965 that would have had a shared stadium for the Sox and Pats and a new arena for the Bruins and Celtics.

[@indianapatsfan]

@RobMcDougall if the new Fenway had been built, I don't think it would have as much of a disaster as the video suggests, it would still be in use today. On the other hand, a Boston version of a multipurpose dome 🤢

[@ericgittleman4324]

Not the Hynes; there's no space for that. It was in what is now the Seaport District in the vicinity of where the (relatively) new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is.

[@jonstefanik9400]

I remember seeing the green "Saved Fenway Park" bumper stickers and there were a ton of them.

[@jayhpaq]

They could rework the existing one with a new upper deck, thereby getting rid of the support poles while expanding the seating capacity a little bit. The problem is, this would require a season in the road.

[@urgedduke]

It looks like they wanted to do what the Yankees did in NY by building the same park modernized. Glad they didn't because it's a gem. I wish they would have left Yankee stadium alone

[@RB01.10]

The old Yankee stadium was beyond obsolete and falling down. Not to mention very crammed and it would’ve taken a lot more money to keep updating it. Steinbrenner wanted a new one for years prior to its demolition

[@urgedduke]

@@RB01.10 I think it would have been worth it considering how dedicated NY is to preserving historic landmarks. Just think of the absurd amount of money going into Penn Station and MSG. I've been to the old Yankee stadium as a kid and visited New Yankee Stadium this year. I was a little disappointed that it hasn't quite kept up with modern trends of having various bars, terraces, and common areas since I like to explore when I'm there. On the other hand Fenway has done a great job of incorporating these modern features in addition to having a nice ballpark village without compromising the historic character.

[@ChrisReese3371]

Fenway has history, it has nostalgia it has got everything you could want as far as an old feel etc, but truth be told with exception of the "new" areas, the suites etc. Fenway is a dump , the seats are unreasonably small if you are approaching 6ft tall , there are few bathrooms that don't smell like an outhouse. All that being said I completely understand the Sox fans loving what they have, I'm a Yankees fan and still pissed they tore down our dump , new Yankee stadium will never feel like our old one, it doesn't cater to the real fan, everything is overpriced and the atmosphere is fabricated.

[@willisapril]

As a season ticket holder of the WooSox I have grown to love Polar Park even more than Fenway as I feel it is a much better experience than Fenway. It may not have the history but it is a nice little park that is very clean.

[@violinfanatickamraz1403]

Thats how a lot of us A's fans feel about the Coliseum. Its a dump but hey, its our dump!

[@willisapril]

@@violinfanatickamraz1403 Only the Oakland Coliseum will we gone in a few years. Nothing special or iconic about it.

[@violinfanatickamraz1403]

@@willisapril bull shit! For those of who grew up going there it's still special.

[@RB01.10]

The old Yankee Stadium was falling down and becoming a dump. Not to mention that incident in 1998 when a piece of concrete fell into the stands. Thankfully no one was in the stadium at that time, but many feel that was the beginning of the end of the old one.

[@mauricebowden6235]

Fenway needs to be replaced or do a huge renovation. I went to the game last week against the Cincinnati Reds and it's very uncomfortable sitting and watching the game because your knees are pressing up against the seat in front of you plus they are not comfortable so you have to sit to the side to get comfortable. Some seats have obstructed views because of poles other than that it's a beautiful ball park.

[@jshall14]

The Red Sox old owners, the Yawkey Trust wanted to build the new Fenway. It was when they couldn’t raise the money that they decided to sell. The Mindich’s not wanting to sell their land, as well as the company that is now 47 Brand, not wanting to sell played a role.

[@RobMcDougall]

Ironically, if I remember correctly, the Red Sox ending up purchasing that land from 47 Brands under John Henry and co.

[@willisapril]

It was Jon Harrington and Dan Duquette I believe.

[@taylorchandler7058]

Fenway Park is New Englands Living Room.

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

0:20 -- Notice how they would've kept some of the original Fenway? Didn't some people try to save the one part of Yankee Stadium that was still original or something (most of it was torn down and rebuilt in the mid-70s) from being torn down? Interestingly the new Yankee Stadium more resembles the original (the for real pre-renovation original) in some ways!

[@detroittigers1282]

What I wanted when the Tigers built a new park. The right field at the Rangers old ballpark (1994-2019) resembles Tiger Stadium, fact the Tigers didn’t add that or any features from Tiger Stadium makes Comerica Park the soulless place it’s always been.

[@doubletbigballz]

this is exactly what the white sox should have done when they left the original cominsky

[@johncassani6780]

Fenway is a great place to watch a game, if you’re in box seats or the Monster seats. The seats on the third base side and left field have excellent sight lines, but in right field, all of the seats face the Green Monster. You leave the game with a stiff neck, inevitably. Add to that, the seats are quite narrow by today’s standards. I believe that the dark blue grandstand seats are original (to 1933, when the grandstand was rebuilt after have burned down). While that could be remedied rather easily, the leg room issue is more complicated. If you are anywhere close to six feet tall, your knees are going to be bruised by the seat in front of you. It would require closing the ballpark down to fix this, because the entire bowl would need to be rebuilt with new risers. As long as people are still willing to pay the high ticket prices, there will be no reason to do anything though.

[@TedRyan]

Fenway is so uncomfortable but it’s Fenway

[@michaelleroy9281]

I've heard before 1967 The Red Sox wanted to leave Fenway Park, The great American League Pennant Race that season changed everything

[@davelaspina5675]

Fenway is BOSTON

[@scotttild]

They have been talking about replacing Fenway since the early 80s. There was another proposal to do a total demo and build on the current site, then they were thinking about the burbs. No one ever moved it forwards back then. Eventually they will have to replace it.

[@willisapril]

I remember they said Fenway would most likely be around till 2050. Maybe they will move to Worcster as Worcester is now #1 for attendance in all Triple A

[@scotttild]

@@willisapril Not sure it will last that long, its really at its end. If they can replace Yankee stadium, they can build a new Fenway. Not sure why people get so attached to old buildings especially a sports complex.

[@willisapril]

@@scotttild John Henry had said in 2014 it will last about 30-50 years from then. We'll just have to wait and see.

[@robertlee6781]

If you plan it right, it can be rebuilt. Look at the Cubs and Wrigley Field. Yes it was major, but they pulled it off.

[@richardmullinix9835]

Great videos! Very informative and entertaining. Keep it up 👍

[@robertorres2425]

Fenway Park should be delayed and build a new one because part of the stadium is deteriorated and the structure is in poor condition if it built with more capacity and VIP it would be great

[@rhodesfunk2996]

I think your brain has deteriorated

[@RobMcDougall]

Engineers who have worked on the stadium disagree with your assessment. Ownership itself said in 2009 that they could play another 40 to 50 years in Fenway Park.

[@Boyso5407]

Ngl when this was proposed I was all for it. At that time Fenway was kinda run down and felt old but not in a good way. Now that they’ve renovated it it’s awesome. They’ve done such a good job of picking and choosing small things to upgrade over the years. Now I’m glad they kept the old ballpark and because of that I don’t think they’ll ever build a new stadium. They’ve pour in hundreds of millions into the renovations so I don’t think they’re going to just up and build a new one. At least I hope not

[@rapalbumdepot2660]

Hell yeah Breh Nice video 😎🍺🏟️💯💯💯💯

[@EBouch25]

They wanted to expand the bullpen by 5 feet because it's too narrow. The historical society said no.

[@jg2977]

Most of the seats look like they would have been really far from the field. Glad they didn’t build this.

[@XBarajasX]

I wonder if +100 years old Fenway and Wrigley have at least the same issues as Chase field and Miller park wich are being threatened, besides the roof obviously

[@aresef]

We can talk about whether Fenway does or doesn't need replacing and with what, but that rendering is an abomination.

[@hotdogs5265]

This would have been a crime. Just like tiger stadium

[@willisapril]

We have Polar Park now.

[@nadermilite5652]

Saying fenway park needs to be replaced is like saying the statue of liberty needs to be replaced it doesn't make since this ball part is like a 110 years old and it's a landmark in the city of Boston, just replace the seats and clean things up and it's fine

[@Coolwhip899]

They should build a new one. The seats and sightlines at fenway are dreadful

[@CoachJim4UM]

Wonder if they’ll ever renovate the grandstand to remove the obstructed views

[@patmanbnl]

That's probably the only good argument for a new park. Unfortunately there's probably not a feasible way to remove the poles that support the upper levels of the park.

[@jacoblarochelle]

The Fenway Theatre was built. It was completed last season

[@Jakedawg0922]

Love these vids

[@BadDriversOfNorthCarolina]

Fenway Park is so overrated. There were many better older ballparks that were better including Tiger Stadium & Yankee Stadium. There were so many changes including putting seats on the monster.

[@BadDriversOfNorthCarolina]

@breadandcircuses8127 I’m sorry but there were much better ballparks.

[@bobbowie9350]

What if the red sox had plans to replace femway now? Fans would initally protest then just go to the new park lol

[@djtrankilo231]

I can definitely see the current ownership group propose this in 5 years. Same with the Cubs' current owner wanting to replace Wrigley and possibly move the Cubs either to the northern or western suburbs where the "actual" Cub fans live, especially since the Bears are moving to the western burbs.

[@arod316]

The metrodome was almost 60,000 at its peak

[@detroittigers1282]

I remember this, was time my Tigers were leaving their iconic park. While yes Fenway has aged like fine wine with the capacity and things have worked out. Makes me angry my Tigers didn’t renovate Tiger Stadium which opened same year as Fenway!! Or at a minimum build a 2.0 version like the Red Sox we’re going to do and the Yankees did with new Yankee Stadium. Funny I remember hearing in 90s how Tigers, Red Sox couldn’t compete in todays game with such an old park. Fast forward 25 years later, Red Sox have won 4 World Series titles, been to the playoffs 13 times since 1998, in same span the Cubs at Wrigley Field which opened 2 years later in 1914, Cubs have 1 World Series title, been to the playoffs 9 times! How have my Tigers done in the same span in Comerica Park which is an absolute brutal place to watch a game in the sun, wind, elements. Tigers 0 World Series titles, last in 1984 at old Tiger Stadium, 2 AL Pennants, playoffs 5 times also team has lost 100 plus games 3 times, including an AL record 119 games in 2003, lost 117 games in 2018, have 14 losing seasons in the 23 seasons since Comerica Park opened, 3, 100 loss seasons, 9, 90 plus loss seasons. So yes Boston dodged a bullet, still was a better idea then crappy Comerica Park in Detroit that unfortunately at my age of 41 is stuck with unless I live into my 90s lol.

[@leonardfdeweyjr1975]

If they’re gonna keep remodeling us, why don’t they put more seats in right field put another deck, same center for put more seats in centerfield make another deck

[@rayspooner1982]

While I am glad they didn't do this. I will say at least they were going to keep the dimensions and the green monster. Ultimately I don't think they "dodged a bullet", but they did make the right decision.

[@199hf]

I like it! Just add the monster seats and move scoreboard to right center and remove the third level seats. It looks great. Love the common area outside on second level and also connecting to the old site

[@stevenfanale4553]

I WOULD NEVER BUILD ANOTHER FENWAY PARK BECAUSE THIS PARK IS FULL OF HISTORY AND SHOULD NOT BE DESTROYED AT ALL!!!!!!!!! WE MUST PRESERVE IT FOREVER!!!!!!

[@scotttild]

Its just a thing. Not sure why people get so attached. Its a great old building, but its dated, with lots of bad seats, small seats, bad site lines, and don't even get me started on the restrooms.

[@RobMcDougall]

​​@@scotttild There's something to be said for being able to go to the same ballpark that my great-grandparents went to to watch a Red Sox game. 100+ years of history is worth preserving, imo.

[@michaelp9707]

​@@scotttildIt is the memories people get attached too,memories of going there with someone close,or watching a Playoff game on tv,often times it is the memories that bring Old places to life.

[@cassidybb10]

HOK the principle architect. Did Jacob's Field and The ballpark in Arlington, the Rangers stadium. Both built in '94. They also did the minor league team stadium for the then Akron( Ohio )Aeros now Rubber Ducks.

[@outlaw0277]

There's a minor league baseball team in South Carolina that has a green monster wall 2

[@jamescaron6465]

Hadlock field in Portland Maine has the same dimensions as Fenway Park as well. Of course it’s at home of the AA affiliate.

[@WilliamBrightman-dn8de]

​@@jamescaron6465Jet Blue Park in Ft Myers is a spitting image of Fenway, 37 ft Green Monster, It is of course the spring training home of the Red Sox

[@leonardfdeweyjr1975]

They need a bigger ball Park they need to make it bigger than 310 down left field they need to make it morning 200 and something feet down or write very aligned. They need to make it about 325 down each line it’s not big enough every baseball field should be the same. I don’t know why it isn’t. It makes no sense at all. Football is 100 yards did you make every baseball field be the same down the lines and set up for you and wait for you and love you, it is stupid that every baseball field not a same if they make a new baseball field, they should put a dome on it just in case it rains you cannot close it like Seattle and others like I said this baseball field will beat you small you don’t want it the same as the old one you want it longer down each line

[@adrienguinebertiere]

They're never gonna leave fenway unless it gets destroyed by a storm or something

[@djtrankilo231]

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Louisiana Superdome a bit, yet they renovated it and that place holds more events than ever before.

[@adrienguinebertiere]

@@djtrankilo231 exactly, so something anything like that is so rare that they're 99 percent staying in it forever.

[@willisapril]

They'd have to play in Worcester should something happen to Fenway

[@jonnyfennessy9812]

Boston born,& raised. Garden was a shit hole, Foxboro was a joke. Yet Fenway...is a landmark. It is a birth rite from father to son etc. My 1st sip of beer was there, my memory of my pops being a big kid.

[@cassidybb10]

"1912's"? Not a thing.

[@Ibhenriksen]

So pretty much what the Yankee didn't do. Keeping original Yankee stadium.

[@stevengalloway8052]

🤔 Wasn't the old Yankee Stadium the first of the old great ballparks to go? 🤨

[@ShantyIrishman]

It depends, I'd put Comiskey and Tigers Stadium in that group as well.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Hmmmm so if soccer stadiums can last this long just fine then why not baseball stadiums?? Way to much money added in now to get rid of it.

[@34bg13]

I remember that . Classic is better ,

[@ConfidentBald-sx9nx]

Can someone please go over to his parent’s house, and cut the Internet connection to the basement?

[@KZ-kl8fx]

Damn this would be a good video if I could bring myself to listen to your voice 😭 I understand you want people to hear you but you sound drunk the way you’re dragging out your words

[@petercarriveau5123]

37,755

[@TedRyan]

Glad this tanked

[@jsmith1746]

No need to yell...

[@user-my7cf3pz4j]

Its a GARBAGE stafium from day one. NEVER should jave been buult. And surely a totally MoDERN stadium is a MUST.

[@ihannah2164]

1st

[@somebodyandthem]

😮