Fielder's 'Field of Dreams.'

Ebony, Feb, 1998 by Joy Bennett Kinnon, Vandell Cobb

They say if you build it -- they'll come. Well, Cecil Fielder went one better. He found his field of dreams in central Florida, and he didn't even have to build it.

Set back on six acres behind an iron gate and up a winding driveway is the dream mansion of home run hitter Cecil (Big Daddy) Fielder. He bought the multimillion-dollar Mediterranean-style home in Melbourne in 1995 and has spent the last two years and more than $1 million gutting and renovating it. But the Fielder family says it was worth it because now they are finally home. And what a home. There's something for everyone in the 19,500-square-foot, 50-room mansion.

Like sports? Try out the full basketball and tennis courts. Couch potato? There's a television or two in every room, a theater and a media center, arts and crafts, game room and a model train room, just for the children. Need to make a phone call? Not a problem. With more than 50 phone extensions, there are literally phones in every room and most bathrooms.

Can't find the kids or your spouse? Call them on the intercom that connects the entire property, including a 4,500-square-foot guest house.

Care for a glass of wine? There's an 8,000-bottle circular wine cellar.

Having the family over? Forget the pull-out couch or the local motel. The Fielders have the expansive guest house for their family and guest, and an apartment off the garage that can accommodate an entire family of guest.

This multimillion-dollar wonderland home is the Fielders' dream house, and it is where they intend to retire when his home run dreams end.

"This house has everything we wanted, and everything for the children," says Fielder's wife, Stacey Lynn Fielder.

The Fielders, who were high school sweethearts and have been married for 15 years, have a 13-year-old son, Prince, and a 5-year-old daughter, Ceclynn. This home is light years away from the early years when they were struggling, living in trailers and apartments shared with other baseball families.

The house has several play areas specifically for the children, including an outdoor playscape, an inside playscape complete with a ball pit off the daughter's room, an arcade, and a 100,000-gallon pool, with a mountain slide and waterfall surrounded by palm trees. The rock pool slide features an adult slide that splashes into the 14-foot deep end and a children's slide that splashes into the shallow end of the pool.

A professional weight room with all the latest equipment helps keep the first baseman and the former Mrs. Michigan in shape. A message room, dry sauna and steam rooms help work the kinks out after a long workout.

Although Stacey worked with an interior decorator, it was her tasteful input that gave the house its elegant look. The house is definitely not a "jock" house, but it isn't frilly or fussy either. Decorated in earth tones with heavy emphasis on cream and tan tones, it relies heavily on the brighter colors in the extensive artwork to startle and invigorate. "I was looking for a very warm, inviting effect," she says.

The master bedroom suite features a sensual bedroom and a master bath that is "not too feminine or masculine and it's appropriate for both of us," Stacey says. There are nine fireplaces in the mansion, and two of them are in the master bedroom suite. Decorated in cream and chamois colors, the bedroom's centerpiece is a soft-leather sleigh-bed. Bronze accents and silver leafing on the lamps complete the room, which also has a ceiling-to-floor ladder library. The suite also features a sitting room and an attached kitchenette with microwave oven, broiler and refrigerator for midnight snacks.

Stacey Fielder's favorite parts of the property are the large and well-manicured grounds and the stunning 40-foot foyer with its circular staircase and indoor pond. She plans to put a bronze statue of the family in the pond. "I love the sound of the water; it's smoothing and relaxing," she says.

One of Cecil's favorite places is his own private retreat -- the theater with its six rocking and reclining leather chairs and a sofa that lines the wall. The theater boasts an 11-foot screen and a Lucas Films THX sound system that really rocks when he cranks it up.

The All-Star is also fond of the kitchen area, where his staff and children say he really cooks. Fielder not only hits home runs on the baseball diamond, but his sweet potato pies, fried turkeys, lasagna and barbecue draw applause as well. He's also been known to whip up a mean pot of gumbo.

The professional kitchen is equipped with tow commercial-grade stoves. "When my Mom is here, she's cooking on one stove, and I'm on the other," he says. The kitchen also features two sub-zero refrigerators and one sub-zero freezer.

But his heart is in the garage with his other babies -- a collection of classic and modern sport cars that would make any car aficionado drool.

Although he owns about 25 cars and co-owns a classic car dealership, he is as proud as a new father when talking about some of his prize vehicles, including a 1940 Cadillac, a 1957 Bel-Air Chevy convertible and a 1950 Mercury with a growler grill.