Another Respected Name for a Stadium
"Will we miss it? Most certainly. Will we fight to retain it? No. It is not our decision. Such an honor can be graciously accepted, but never demanded. The stadium belongs to the people of Davenport, not the Quad-City Times."
Then four years slipped by with no deal. John O'Donnell's name remained on the outside of the stadium as well as in the consciousness of most Quad-Citians. Now, the Quad-City professional baseball team's new owners found a corporate sponsor willing to pay $2 million over 10 years to rename the stadium. It's far less than the $3 million price tag initially pitched by the city.
But our sentiment remains the same.
It's Davenport's stadium and the city's elected representatives made this call. John O'Donnell's name will remain on the press box, anchoring his memory for longtime Quad-Citians and, hopefully, piquing the interest of younger ones. His is a story worth knowing.
O'Donnell's sports journalism at the Times made him familiar with literally thousands and thousands of Quad-City families. But it was his war-time journalism that put his name on the stadium. O'Donnell dreamed up "Dear Joe," a weekly page of column and commentary about Quad-City soldiers serving overseas. O'Donnell cultivated correspondence with soldiers and their families to bring their war stories home. Call it the first blog. Times readers had hundreds and hundreds of firsthand accounts from World War II thanks to O'Donnell's dedication. The columns were compiled into a book. You can find copies in Davenport's public library.
That's why a groundswell of public support renamed the stadium for him in 1971.
The new name also reflects a respected, truly local Quad-City story. Modern Woodmen is a worldwide, $7 billion company that realized ambitious dreams of Joseph Cullen Root nearly 125 years ago. Along with financial success, Modern Woodmen cultivated civic involvement nationwide with clubs, youth groups and the renown Foresters drill teams.
Modern Woodmen has a deep history of civic support. We're glad to see that name on the stadium, as well as the company's continued investment in our community.
Modern Woodmen's generous support will help the ballclub's new owners cut ticket prices and allow - finally - free parking on the stadium's paved lot.
And we rather like the idea of a partnership between a Davenport, riverfront attraction with a Rock Island, riverfront firm.
With his name on the press box and his work in our hearts and archives, we're confident John O'Donnell will not be forgotten.