Memorable Moments at Comiskey Park All Star Game: 2004 (scheduled) World Series: None Cy Young winner Jack McDowell in 1993. A.L. batting champion Frank Thomas in 1997. Albert Belle sets club record with 49 homeruns in 1998. COMISKEY PARK 333 West 35th Street Chicago, Illinois 60616 Ballpark Store More Ballpark Items

  After 80 years in one ballpark, the White Sox, became the first team in the 1990’s, to open a new ballpark. With an aging Comiskey Park,  a new stadium needed to be built. In the mid to late 1980’s, talk began on building a new stadium. After a rejection by Illinois voters to build a new stadium, the White Sox began to make threats of moving the team to possibly Tampa, FL. However Illinois Governor James R. Thompson, found enough revenues for a stadium to be built. The new ballpark was built next to old Comiskey Park. After deciding on a place to build the new ballpark, construction began on May 7, 1989. Built of a concrete structure with a precast concrete facing, the new stadium rose much higher than its neighbor, old Comiskey Park. It took just two years for the new ballpark to be completed. It was given the same name as its predecessor, Comiskey Park.

Opening day came on April 18, 1991, when Governor Thompson threw the ceremonial first pitch. Over 44,000 fans filled Comiskey Park's blue seats each day during its first year. Three levels of seats extend from behind homeplate to both of the foul poles. Bleacher seats stretch across the outfield, with the exception of in straightaway centerfield. A replica of the old park's famous exploding scoreboard, first conceived by Bill Veeck is located over the centerfield bleachers. Comiskey Park was praised when it opened, but that soon changed. Once Oriole Park at Camdem Yards opened people wondered why new Comiskey Park did not have the traditional feel to it. Other criticism came because of the steepness of the upper deck. The upper deck has even been closed off at times because of high winds, which could cause safety problems. Few changes have taken place at Comiskey Park since its opening in 1991. After the 2000 season, Comiskey Park underwent a few renovations. Several rows of seats were added along the foul lines, along with the relocation of the bullpens, the creation of a two-tiered, outdoor terrace area for the Bullpen Sports Bar, and an extension of the outfield seating area down to the fence in several sections. The fences were moved as well. The fence was moved in 17 feet down the left-field line (330 feet from 347), 12 feet down the right-field line (335 from 347) and three feet in right-center field (372 from 375). Left-center field increased by two feet (377 from 375), while straightaway center field remains the same (400). With these renovations and with the White Sox advancing to the playoffs in 2000, the team hopes to increase the attendance at Comiskey Park.

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Name: Comiskey Park 
Location: Chicago, IL
Tenant: Chicago White Sox Capacity: 44,321
Surface:  Grass 
Construction Began: May 7, 1989
Opened: April 18, 1991
Cost: $167 Million
Dimensions: L-330, LC-377, C-400, RC-372, R-335
Architect: HOK
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