The year is 2022. A socialist revolution has taken over the United States and most of the ruling, moneyed and elite classes have been put up against the wall in the name of justice. The only members -- or fellow travelers -- of the plutocratic class who are allowed to continue as they were are professional baseball teams and some of the corporate-backed media which covers them. The surviving media members are spared for their sympathy with unions and generally liberal causes prior to the revolution.
It’s not a bad setup for some of us, frankly.
But those of us who are left are put to work. A balding middle-aged scribe is tasked with renaming the stadiums in which the baseball teams play in order to remove the capitalist labels which have been applied to them. The People own them now and they shall be named to honor those persons, concepts and ideals which The People hold dear. Our hero submits his memorandum to the Central Committee of The Revolution for its approval:
From: Craig Calcaterra
To: The Central Committee
Re: New Ballpark Names
Comrades: please accept my suggestions for the renamed ballparks. I will note that these are just suggestions and that, if no consensus can be reached, the best plan should be for the park to be named after either the team which plays there or the city in which it sits. Simple is best.
- Yankees: Yankee Stadium can stay. But no Yankees merchandise can be sold and their payroll must be made equal to other teams.
- Red Sox: Fenway has tradition behind it and no one associates it with corporatism, but if they do, Ted Williams Park will suffice.
- Orioles: Robinson Park. Brooks has the greater claim, but we can put Frank’s face on the logo too.
- Blue Jays: TBD once the revolutionary forces complete the conquest of Canada.
- Rays: Kommunalka Park, as the architecture of this structure harkens back to the glorious Soviet-era apartment complexes.
- Tigers: It shall revert to Tiger Stadium, as it should have been to begin with.
- Royals: Kauffman may remain, as it honors an important figure in team history. We should explore renaming the team, however, given how anathema the concept of a monarchy truly is.
- White Sox: Certainly not Comiskey, as he swindled the working man. Southside Park, perhaps? Dick Allen Stadium?
- Twins: Killebrew Field.
- Indians: Obviously this is in flux given the coming name change to the Cleveland Spiders. Feller Field would honor a hero who fought fascism. Doby Park would be good too.
- Rangers: Michael Young Park would be the classy choice, but if that is not acceptable we can go with what The People actually call it: The Ballpark.
- Athletics: If Jerry Brown Field is unacceptable, I suggest Rickey Henderson Stadium
- Angels: I am told that the Committee has agreed not to outlaw religion in the new People’s Republic. I agree, this is probably the best move for various reasons. As such, I presume the “Angels” name is staying. As for the ballpark, clearly, Trout Field is the only option.
- Mariners: Griffey Park would be my suggestion.
- Astros: Astros Park. Perhaps Biggio Park.
- Braves: Henry Aaron Field is the only suitable option, as I’m sure you’ll agree.
- Nationals: Since the People’s Republic’s Capital has been moved to the Midwest -- where it should rightfully be -- all allusions to the Washington team being “National” in any sense should be struck. The team shall be named based on geographic features of the region -- I suggest “The Swamp Rats” -- and the park should be called “The Nest” or something like it. If that’s too much, I offer Walter Johnson Stadium as an alternative.
- Phillies: Ruben Amaro Stadium, named after the man who did so much to bring down capitalism with his brilliant anti-competitive, anti-capitalist moves over the years. If we only know what sort of hero he was at the time! Alternate: Mike Schmidt Park.
- Marlins: Play has been suspended for this team until such time as we can remove the body of the Marlins’ owner from the gibbet above the entrance. Afterward we can change the name to Little Havana Stadium.
- Mets: Seaver Stadium, perhaps?
- Cubs: Ernie Banks Field, doubleheaders only.
- Cardinals: Musial Stadium
- Pirates: Clemente Park
- Reds: The unfortunate downside of rule by The People is that, when it comes to the Reds, The People have an irrational love for Pete Rose. Let us allow him to be the opiate of the masses in this city and they can go with that.
- Brewers: Yount Park beat out Molitor Park in a close vote among those on my staff. I will leave it to The Committee to decide.
- Dodgers: Jackie Robinson Field is nice, but if people want to stay with Dodger Stadium there shall be no objections. Both are, ultimately, products of Brooklyn, but I will note that Robinson had a history of athletic prowess in Los Angeles before the Dodgers did.
- Giants: Willie Mays Park is the obvious choice.
- Padres: Tony Gwynn Field
- Rockies: Rockies Park until such time as someone worthy of having a ballpark named after them surfaces.
- Diamondbacks: I’d the same goes for the Dbacks. A lot of it depends on Randy Johnson’s relative feelings of loyalty to this club vs. the others for which he played.
Thank you for your time. Hail to the People! Hail to the Revolution!