The Chimes

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports

For 76 years, Cooper Stadium has been a landmark on West Mound Street. It was home to Derek Jeter before his play in Yankee Stadium made him "The Yankee Captain." It has been transformed into wrestling rings, concert stages and haunted houses.
On Monday night, the final curtain call for the stadium took place appropriately, on Labor Day. In a time where overpriced tickets for overrated talent was the norm, minor league baseball at the Coop has been a nice way to give the family an evening activity that was easy on the wallet. From dime-a-dog to ten-cent Slyder night, over 22.5 million people have walked through the gates to be entertained.
Fortunately, I was one of the final 16,770 who witnessed Columbus history. I cannot tell you how many times I went to that stadium and watched a ballgame. I remember when AstroTurf was on the field. I remember going to Darryl Strawberry's 20th attempt to return to the Majors from rehab. I have seen Butterbean throw out the ceremonial first pitch. I was actually on the field once as part of a pre-game ceremony to honor little league teams in the area.
It was not until the final two years that I fully appreciated the value that a Clippers game offered. Before the first game of the year, I made it my goal to attend every Monday night home game and to challenge myself to consume as many hot dogs I could during a game. Unfortunately, I only attended two dime-a-dog nights before Monday night and my record was fifteen.
Although the final game in the stadium ended in defeat for the hometown heroes, it was an eventful night. Fireworks, giveaways and one final run around the bases gave me the opportunity to say good-bye. As I walked away from the stadium, it felt like a little part of me died inside. I just wish I had been able to bring a shovel and a mason jar with me to dig up part of the field and take it home with me.
Now it is time to make way for Huntington Park, which will open in April in the Arena District and to be the new home of the Clippers. There, fans will be able to witness the game in a new way as the field will be sunken below ground level, giving passers-by the opportunity to walk past and look down on the game. Hopefully, dime-a-dog night will still be there for everyone to enjoy.
By the way, I could only muster ten hot dogs on Monday. As they say, there's always next year.
cleist@capital.edu

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