Rowand on Wrigley's surface: It just stinks

It's called beautiful Wrigley Field, but the players who play there see it a bit differently.

Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand is the latest to criticize the actual playing surface at Wrigley that is considered by many to be among the worst in baseball.

Rowand addressed the issue following the injury to teammate Michael Borne, who tripped over the bullpen mound down the right field line on Monday, suffering a sprained left ankle.

The bullpens being so close to the playing field, the brick walls behind the ivy and the crown of the field are a few of the things that make Wrigley a tough place to play.

"The surface of this field, it just stinks," Rowand said.

Rowand called the outfield lumpy, and the unevenness of the grass was a problem even before the recent Police concerts.

"The line drive that Derrek Lee hit (Monday, which Rowand made a nice running catch on), it felt like I was running uphill," Rowand said. "There are a lot of nuances to this ballpark that make it more difficult than most. You've really got to be aware of your surroundings here more than any park because they can jump up and bite you real quick."

Ballplayers are used to lush outfields and perfect infields, which is not the case at Wrigley.

"The surface just isn't the best, but that's what you get with these older parks that are kind of nostalgic," Rowand said. "It probably was this way in 1940."

There was talk of the Cubs putting in a new playing surface after this season, but the project that could cost $1 million or more likely must wait for approval from the new owner.

"Boston changed the surface at Fenway (Park) a few years ago," said Rowand. "It used to be one of the worst, but now it's one of the best."