Iowa doesn't have a Major League Baseball team, but MLB will be in Iowa next year anyway.
The state would be hard-pressed to conceive of an opportunity to showcase itself on a national stage more golden than the planned game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in a temporary, 8,000-seat ballpark at the site of the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" in Dyersville, Iowa. A White Sox home game, the contest will be broadcast by FOX.
This is the brainchild of a genius. Anyone who loves the national pastime (and many who don’t) undoubtedly knows the story of actor Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella who, in response to a voice only he hears, creates the "Field" surrounded by corn on his Iowa farm where "Shoeless" Joe Jackson of the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox and other late former players return to play the game again and where Kinsella reconnects with his late father, who idolized "Shoeless Joe," for some "catch." Today, the site of the film - a Best Picture Oscar nominee in 1990 - is a popular tourist destination.
We hope movers and shakers within state government have begun strategizing ways to take full advantage of this event in terms of marketing everything Iowa offers, from the quality of life residents enjoy to destinations awaiting visitors. In addition, we encourage state leaders to lobby MLB for consideration of making what we have no doubt will be a highlight of the 2020 MLB regular season an annual event in which two teams play one game in Dyersville every summer. Why not dream some more?
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On Tuesday, the work to build it began. One year from Tuesday, on Aug. 13, 2020, they will come.
"Is this heaven?" some who watch may ask. "It's Iowa," our state should answer, "and, yes, it is."
Sioux City professional baseball team
The 1908 Sioux City baseball team is shown. The Sioux City sluggers had one of the longest games in history against Denver in June 1914.
From the Archives baseball
The 1891 Sioux City Corn Huskers.Â
Sioux City sports history
This undated photo shows a Sioux City baseball team.
Evans Driving Park brings in crowd
The Evans Driving Park is shown in 1889. The site just south of Crescent Park was home to baseball games and horse races.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig, left, and Babe Ruth are shown at Stockyards Park in Sioux City in 1927.Â
Cable cars take fans to baseball game in 1890
A Sioux City cable car takes fans to a baseball game in 1890. Cables for the line were ran in May 1889.
Mizzou Park grandstands
Mizzou Park, featuring new grandstands and ballfield, is shown in 1915. Plans for the fire-safe grandstands were drawn up by architect W.L. Steele in February 1914.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
Babe Ruth gestures to fans standing on rail cars in the outfield of Stockyards Park on Oct. 18, 1927. Ruth’s Bustin’ Babes team slugged it out that day with Lou Gehrig’s Larrupin’ Lou’s. Just 10 days earlier, the two hall of famers led the New York Yankees to a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.
1892: Bobby Black
In 1892, Bobby Black coached the Sioux City team known as Black's Sioux City Blacks. Their uniforms were black cloth suits with white braid trimmings.
