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Count Lance Berkman among those who are not impressed with Wrigley Field. The Texas Rangers will be making their first trip to the "Friendly Confines" since 2002 -- and only the team's second visit ever. Berkman, however, has visited Chicago numerous times to play the Cubs when he was with the Houston Astros.
"It's one of the worst places in baseball for, well, just about anything," Berkman told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News. "I really don't like it. I read where they got approval for some more upgrades. Count me in the group of people extremely happy to see that. I guess I'm just spoiled."There is a tremendous history associated with it and there is something special about playing on the same field that guys like Babe Ruth did. But really, what kind of history is there? It's not like there has been one championship after another. It's mainly been a place for people to go and drink beer." Berkman, who might not see extended action during this series as he's the Rangers' designated hitter, has a career .215 batting average spanning 289 at-bats in 177 games at Wrigley. His gloomy outlook, however, isn't spoiling the experience for his Rangers teammates. "I want to compare it to Fenway," second baseman Ian Kinsler told the Dallas Morning News. "I love playing at Fenway. The history is part of that, but I think it's the atmosphere that really makes those places special. There is a great atmosphere. I've heard about all the other things, like that there are no cages, no weight rooms and that the walk to the field isn't that pleasant. But I'm excited. I don't know if the weather will change anything." Pitcher Derek Holland, who will start Tuesday's game, will also be playing at Wrigley Field for the first time -- is also excited to visit the ballpark. Holland is known for his Harry Caray impressions and also has a dog named Wrigley. "I want to pitch there really bad," Holland told the Star-Telegram. "It's Wrigley. It's an historic park. You don't have parks like that anymore."
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