Crazy about Cards
Redbirds fans eager to meet, mingle with St. Louis stars
See Story, 1C
Nearly two hours before the first pitch at AutoZone Park on Friday, a set of double doors down the right-field line gave way to an aura of exclusivity.
Inside, amid patrons wearing jerseys of Matt Carpenter, David Freese, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, was a buffet line with yards of choices, a stocked bar, two pool tables with leather pockets and fresh red felt, and televisions that were later tuned to the showdown between the Grizzlies and Thunder a few steps down the road.
“So this is the Redbird Club,” a man said as he passed through the doors. “A nice atmosphere.”
The Redbird Club was one of many new features unveiled at AutoZone Park on Friday after an
offseason replete with renovations. Despite falling temperatures and the threat of showers, fans turned out in droves for an exhibition game between the Triple-A Redbirds and St. Louis Cardinals, taking in the experience in a stadium with $6.5 million worth of improvements.
A home run by Matt Holliday in the top of the first inning generated buzz from the outset, and the rain held off to allow an enthusiastic crowd of 9,827 to enjoy an 8-1 win by the Cardinals, the Redbirds’ parent club.
“It’s always great — because our fan base reaches down to this area as well — to showcase some of our guys but also just put a cap on the end of a solid spring so far,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.
But Friday was as much about lifting the curtain on a ballpark redesign as it was allowing Memphians a sneak peek at their favorite big league players. The fans, who had mostly filled the stadium more than an hour before first pitch, tossed hats and baseballs and jerseys to players over dugout railings as clouds thickened. With the stadium lights not yet turned on, the primary source of light became the new — and massive — 14foot by 140-foot LED video board in left field, as well as the new LED ribbon boards down the first- and thirdbase facades.
Non-autograph seekers enjoyed the new dining area on the club level behind the plate, where waiters in red and black uniforms offered to take orders. Others spread their blankets and tarps in two grass seating areas down the right- and left-field lines.
Perhaps the crown jewel of the renovations is the Redbird Club, which feels something like a very upscale sports bar. For $55 patrons, are granted an allyou-can-eat, all-you-candrink (draft beer, house wines) evening that comes with an excellent view of the field from shallow right field. Customers can watch the game from inside the club — glass windows can be tilted out for an open-air feel — or from an outdoor seat.
“I was lucky enough to go on a tour earlier today, and I think it looks great,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “Certainly you’ve got to do some things to finish this up, but as far as the concept and what people will experience here in Memphis, I certainly think it’s going to be a great improvement.”
And there is some work to be done. A “destination BBQ food area” in right field is currently an unfinished wooden structure, and a new bar in left field featuring high-top tables and televisions is more of a fenced-in patio at the moment.
But when Holliday’s first-inning home run flew 350 feet to left field, landing just beyond the glowing new video board as fans jumped from their seats, Friday night became a success for AutoZone Park.
“Tonight was the culmination of everything we’ve really done in the past year,” Redbirds general manager Craig Unger said. “It was a special night.”