The Big Story Today

The news in the Midwest League yesterday was in Davenport, Iowa.

JOD has a new name

They’ve been neighbors for years — one on the Davenport riverfront, the other sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island.

On Wednesday, the name of a Davenport landmark entwined with a company which has quietly called the Quad-Cities home for more than a century.

Dave Heller, managing partner of the Quad-Cities’ Midwest League baseball franchise, needed just five words to announce the partnership.

“Welcome to Modern Woodmen Park,’’ said Heller, announcing that the team had signed a 10-year, $2 million agreement with Rock Island-based Modern Woodmen of America to place its name on John O’Donnell Stadium.

Modern Woodmen’s national headquarters is across the river from the stadium’s right-field wall and W. Kenny Massey, CEO of Modern Woodmen, said the agreement makes a statement of his company’s commitment to the Quad-Cities.

Congratulations to the SWING...or whatever the heck you are going to be later today. But, what about John O'Donnell? You know, John O'Donnell.

The press box at the stadium will continue to be named in O’Donnell’s honor and a collage of his work will be placed near the existing plaque recognizing him. The collage will include newspaper columns, photos and his “Dear Joe’’ columns from the World War II era that included letters from armed forces personnel and created a bond between the community and those serving away from home.

Skip O’Donnell said family members have mixed emotions about seeing the name changed.

“We’re not totally enamored with the idea of changing the name, but we do realize that times have changed and that this is the norm now,’’

O’Donnell said. “We are pleased that dad’s name will still be attached to the stadium in some way. It won’t be the same as it has been for the last 37 years, but we don’t have any control over that. That is progress.’’

O’Donnell said both Massey and Heller invited him to attend Wednesday’s announcement, but he could not because of his work schedule.

“They’ve been very respectful throughout our conversations,’’ O’Donnell said. “Modern Woodmen is a good company and the stadium has been a good community asset for a long time. We wish them the best of luck.’’