Monday, November 07, 2005

Taering Down Busch Stadium...

Was as exciting as watching Ohio State play Indiana in football.  Today was a day that, while I knew it was coming, and prepared for it to happen (hence, why I made two visits there), was a day I didn’t necessarily look forward to.  Entering that stadium, I saw a place from decades ago was modern, but is now seen as outdated and ready for replacement.  Leaving it, I saw it as the home of many years of memories for one of the most storied franchises in the history of sports, a place where one of even my own favorite memories would be created.  The (somewhat) unique stadium with the arches and a great downtown fit would be closed, and then removed forever.

But getting it to go would not be easy.  Honestly, they must have used the same wrecking ball that was used to demolish “Taer it Down: The Ride” (better known as Hercules) at Dorney Park.  The huge but critically bashed wood coaster came down pretty easily to make way for a much more worthwhile replacement in a B&M Floorless steel looper.  The iconic St. Louis stadium, however, was built with thick concrete, especially its signature canopy, which the wrecking ball had some problems breaking into, so shortly after several drops and swings, they switched from the small size, and possibly to a more appropriate sized ball.  Otherwise, they might have to prepare Edward Jones Dome for baseball, and in a few years, renovate the new Busch Stadium before the old one is finally cleared away.  

So today was a symbolic day for baseball fans, even though barely any damage was done, sightseers could barely see anything, and St. Louis residents experienced a little Dr. Phil withdrawal.


On a side note, playing the Patriots in Foxboro… GO COLTS!

No comments: