Dodgers hire Smith to oversee Dodger Stadium upgrades

Dodger Stadium celebrated its 50th anniversary this season, and will soon undergo what the team calls "upgrades and enhancements." The team on Monday tabbed former Braves, Orioles, and Red Sox executive Janet Marie Smith to oversee the changes.

Smith was named Senior Vice President of Planning and Development of the Dodgers on Monday, a position similar to her posts in Boston, Baltimore, and Atlanta. She oversaw both the development and building of Camden Yards and the renovation of Fenway Park. Smith worked with Stan Kasten in Atlanta as well, overseeing the transformation of Atlanta's Olympic Stadium into Turner Field after the 1996 Olympics.

"I’m looking forward to working with the new Dodgers ownership to find ways to create an even better fan experience," said Smith in a statement. "Dodger Stadium is a treasured piece of the Los Angeles community and a special place where I watched more than a dozen games per season when I lived in L.A. during the early 1980s. It’s important to all of us that we restore and enhance the park in a way that honors its heritage and highlights its distinctive appeals, while still capturing what fans want and franchises need in a modern venue."

Smith was most recently the senior vice president of planning and development for the Orioles.

"Dodger Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in sports and Janet Marie is one of the few people I would trust with its future," said Kasten. "She respects baseball’s tradition and knows how to retain a ballpark’s distinctive charms while providing fans with the amenities and comfort they’ve come to expect."

Starting Lineups

Jerry Sands is in fact in the lineup on Monday, as expected, but instead of first base he is playing right field in place of Andre Ethier.

The Rockies activated infielder Chris Nelson from the 15-day disabled list to take the roster spot of Todd Helton, who went on the disabled list and needs arthroscopic hip surgery.

Game Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

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