Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick said Wednesday that all the concrete for the new stadium's lower concourse has been poured. A huge new crane — fresh off helping build the Falcons' new stadium in Atlanta — loomed behind Matwick as he spoke, ready to help assemble Globe Life Field's sliding, retractable roof. The crane, a Manitowoc 31000 series, came to Arlington in more than 100 trucks and took more than two weeks to assemble.
New Rangers manager Chris Woodward stopped by the party to marvel at his team's new digs as they continue to go up.
"I've never stood inside of a stadium at this part of the process," Woodward said. "It's pretty cool to be in here now, and I can't wait to see what it looks like later.""I've never stood inside of a stadium at this part of the process. It's pretty cool to be in here now, and I can't wait to see what it looks like later." — Chris Woodward
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The rendering, provided by the Rangers and HKS, the architecture firm charged with the project, shows a center-field view of the stadium. In it, you can see four levels of infield seats — Globe Life Park, the Rangers' current home, has three — and an open concourse, allowing fans on the lower level a view of the field as they seek out the Wonka-esque food creations that will inevitably come with the Rangers' new home.
Designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo said he wanted to show his appreciation to the workers building the park he'd watched being built as he drove to the Rangers' current home last season.
"Taking pictures and giving gifts, that's what we can do," Choo said. "Then we can play better next year and in the 2020 season."
Choo may be a bit optimistic about a return of good baseball to Arlington, but at least the air conditioning will help the rebuilding go down smoother.
