Comiskey Park is now U.S. Cellular Field.

A guy I don't even know but has my e-mail address because it was on a contact sheet for a play I hardly worked on spammed me this e-mail message:

Something ticked me off today. It's strange there is the threat of war but then this happens and I want to do something, and I'm not even a baseball fan.

U.S. Cellular has bought the rights to change Comisky field to U.S. Cellular field; and they are also talking about building a new field. I feel this is another attack against the Chicago identity. Our neighborhoods are becoming more suburbanized and now U.S. Cellular comes in and wants to fuck up old Comisky Field. (I've been there two or three times; when I was a kid)

He then went on to provide U.S Cellular's contact information so we could call and complain about a contract that has already been signed.

For all two or three of you who've read my 'blog, you know that I speak out against the asshole-ish behavior of corporations. However, I also recognize the neo-feudalism that is capitalism and that we are all merely serfs to the corporate lords. Plus, I like Coca-Cola, and right now, I'm wearing a Gap sweater that fits well and brings out my eyes. The American system is not a perfect one, and it has plenty of room for improvement, but it's the best system we have.

Also let me add here that I think baseball is probably the most boring sport to watch in the history of sports. Placing bets on a paint drying race sounds like more fun.

But believe it or not, I applaud the renaming of Comiskey Park. First, though, let me refute a few things this guy said.

First of all, Old Comiskey Park is long gone. New Comiskey Park (now U.S. Cellular Field) was opened in 1991. It's renowned for having a terribly steep upper deck. It's in a neglected neighborhood. Other than the name "Comiskey," which Chicagoans are more than justified in mourning its passing, the current field is nothing to wax nostalgic about.

Furthermore, I'm not sure where he gets the part about "building a new field." So much of the city's dime was put into the construction of the New Comiskey, a park that is only 12 years old. Plus, with the Soldier Field renovations going on right now, it's doubtful there will be another new field built anytime soon. In fact, according to the article linked above, the lease on the park has been renewed for another 15 years.

U.S. Cellular Field may not have a ring to it, but it's not the first corporation-named auditorium in Chicago. We already have the United Center. We have the Allstate Arena -- not typically a sports venue, but a large auditorium, nonetheless. Plus, my girlfriend (and avid baseball fanatic) pointed out that Chicago's beloved Wrigley Field is in fact a corporate name, as well.

As much as I agree with the suburbanization of Chicago argument, I also know that the White Sox are financially strapped. If anything, U.S. Cellular has kept the team alive. Calling the stadium U.S. Cellular Field is a lot less damaging to the city than the White Sox going under would be. Arguments about the suburbanization of Chicago are about how gentrification displaces low income households -- a real issue worth fighting for -- not an expensive name change.

So to the guy who sent me the e-mail -- you don't choose your battles well. You even said it yourself in your e-mail when you mention "the threat of war." I'm sure you're a nice guy, but get your priorities straight.

And to U.S. Cellular -- if you should be admonished for anything, you should be ashamed for continually reminding us what a bad actor Joan Cusack is.