PRESS BOX AT PRINCIPAL PARK NOW THE RANDY PETERSON PRESS BOX

The press box at Principal Park — home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs — is now the Randy Peterson Press Box to honor the long-time Des Moines Register and Tribune sportswriter.

The name became official after a brief pre-game ceremony August 13. Peterson also threw out a commemorative first pitch prior to the Iowa Cubs’ game against the Columbus Clippers.

Peterson retired this spring after a 52-year-career as a sportswriter for the Register and Tribune. He covered the Iowa Oaks and Iowa Cubs — at Sec Taylor Stadium and Principal Park — for parts of six decades.

The Des Moines native graduated from East High School and Drake University, and began his journalism career at the Register and Tribune in the early 1970s, first part-time and then full-time. He covered everything — from high school sports to bowl games and NCAA tournaments — in his award-winning career.

[The Tribune was the sister paper of the Register, and published afternoons before closing in 1982 and merging with the Register.]

“It was always great having Randy at the ballpark,” said Iowa Cubs President and General Manager Sam Bernabe. “He was a great reporter and is a great guy.”

In addition, Diet Coke was named the official soft drink of the Randy Peterson Press Box. Peterson is famous for his Diet Coke consumption in press boxes across the nation.