CHICAGO -- Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto, who returned to Wrigley Field for this week's series after playing five years for the Chicago Cubs, does not agree with the disparaging remarks his teammate Lance Berkman said about Wrigley.
"This is one of the special places in baseball," Soto said. "Being back here at Wrigley is a pretty special place. It feels good to be back."
Soto was the National League rookie of the year and an All-Star in 2008, but now he is the backup for former Chicago White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski. Soto was told that he would be the starter when he signed a one-year, $3 million contract after becoming a free agent last November. But that was before Texas signed Pierzynski in December.
Soto feels like he left behind some unfinished business with the Cubs after being traded to Texas last July.
“You always want to play for that championship," he said. "We went to the playoffs a couple of years.
"When I was here I always gave it my all and left my heart out there. I have no regrets. I have a lot of awesome memories here. It feels like home."
Berkman told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News that Wrigley is "one of the worst places in baseball for, well, just about anything." He said he was happy to hear about plans to renovate the 99-year-old park.
"That is his personal opinion, you have to respect," Soto said. "Renovations are good anywhere.
"This ballpark represents a 100-year-old stadium and it has a lot of tradition and a lot of history. You really can't substitute that. I think it is a really special place. Having the tradition and vibe you get in this place, I think it is pretty much magical and overwhelms any extra amenities you could have somewhere else.To me the electricity and the fans this place brings is great. It has been great for me in my opinion."