MLB.com: New changes a hit with the players

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays broke in their refurbished stadium on Friday night, kicking things off with a half-hour ceremony before their game against the Red Sox.

The contrasts were striking, even when the lights went low. The new playing surface and video boards made Rogers Centre look and feel like a different place. To a man, Toronto's players appreciated the aesthetic changes.

"I'm pretty excited about it. It's going to take some time to break it in, but that's money well spent," said Gregg Zaun, Toronto's catcher. "The place looks incredible, and I'm excited to see what it looks like filled up. It's a completely different feel.