Red Sox Senior VP/Planning & Development JANET MARIE SMITH has left the team "because much of her work to transform" Fenway Park is complete, according to Casey Ross of the BOSTON GLOBE. Smith, who joined the Red Sox in '02, has stepped down after a nearly eight-year renovation that "preserved the ballpark’s old-style aesthetic while introducing fan-friendly innovations such as the Green Monster seats and modern concessions." Red Sox President & CEO LARRY LUCCHINO said that Smith is "now working on renovations to the Rose Bowl," among other projects. Ross noted Lucchino hired Smith "at a time when there were loud calls for the demolition" of the ballpark. But during Smith's tenure, the Red Sox "increased Fenway's capacity by 5,000, waterproofed its leaky bleachers, and reinforced foundations to last another 40 years" ( BOSTON GLOBE, 8/29 ). ESPN.com's Peter Gammons noted Smith has taken "what amounted to a 19th century building" and turned it into a "21st century ballpark." Lucchino and Smith "changed the game's finances by figuring out what fans want and need," and "made ballparks revenue destinations." They have "as much to do with the explosion in the sport's revenues as anyone," and without them "there would be no [AT&T Park] or Citi Field or new Yankee Stadium" ( ESPN.com, 8/29 ).
 |
| Smith Joined Sox In '02 |
