The Diamond hosts its final Opening Day in Richmond
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- For 40 years, The Diamond has stood as a tall, gentle giant overlooking Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Over its long life, it has seen thousands of wins and losses, players and games. Millions of fans have entered through its metal gates, sat in the stands, and watched their home team take the field at "the Concrete Jungle."
"In Double-A, there is no better place to play," said Carter Howell, an outfielder. "The Diamond is just the Concrete Jungle. Seeing the new spot get made, it's pretty cool, and I'm excited to be a part of the last team to play at the Diamond."
"Yeah, when we were driving back in from the airport last night, and we were passing by and you could see the Diamond, I think it doesn’t matter how many times you play here, there's just something special about it. The Concrete Jungle, as some people have nicknamed it. It's a fun spot, and I'm just excited to be back and be in front of these fans," said John Michael Bertrand, the opening night starting pitcher.
Over the years, The Diamond has hosted many different teams, from the Flying Squirrels to the Richmond Braves and even the VCU Rams. Plenty of teams have laced them up for Opening Day, and to be a part of history tonight is something the players aren’t taking for granted.
"I mean, it’s incredibly special. It’s a nice honor as well as an ode to a farewell tour to the Diamond. Right? So I'm sure there have been a ton of great pitchers that have toed the rubber on Opening Night here before, so I'm honored to be one of them," said Bertrand.
And although it’s been The Diamond that’s been the vessel for these games, according to fourth-year manager Dennis Pelfrey, it’s the Richmond faithful that have made The Diamond the special place that it is.
"In my career as a coach or player, this is the best place I’ve been in as far as atmosphere," Pelfrey said. "I think this is going to be a place that even when the new one comes up, it’s going to be awesome, no doubt, but this place is still going to have a special place in my heart, and I think a lot of other people as well."
So, although it’s a farewell to The Diamond’s chapter, it’s not the end of the story for baseball in Richmond. A new chapter begins next Opening Day at CarMax Park.
