Favorite Stadium

[Redgta91]

Over the years I have made an effort to attend all the major league stadiums. Some are new/flashy and others are old/historic. With Wrigley Field getting a make over for this year I thought about if it will change my opinion that Wrigley is the best stadium. Would love to hear other's opinions. Let the discussion begin.

[Edwards Kings]

I have not been to nearly as many as I want, but I really liked the Rangers ballpark in Arlington (called Globe Life Ballpark now I think). The outfield was wonkey and the food was good.

[Teufel Hunden]

I have not been to nearly as many as I want, but I really liked the Rangers ballpark in Arlington (called Globe Life Ballpark now I think). The outfield was wonkey and the food was good.

My favorite thing about Arlington is they let you bring your own food/drink in. One of the few stadiums I have been where fans fight for the back rows of sections to try to escape the summer sun.

[Chest Rockwell]

Been to every major league stadium took me 26 years from start to finish here is how I rank them.

30)Oak 29) Tampa 28) Miami yes the new park 27) White sox 26) Arizona 25) Toronto 24) Anaheim 23) Texas 22) Cleveland 21) Houston 20) Seattle 19) Atlanta 18) Yanks 17) StL 16) Cincy 15) Milwaukee 14) DC 13) Minn 12) KC 11) San Diego 10) Colorado 9) Philly 8) Detroit 7) Dodgers 6) Mets 5) Baltimore 4) Wrigley 3) Fenway 2) SF 1) PItt

First 5 are by far the worst. Hard to separate them in the top 10. I give a lot of credence to unique things, neighborhood being in good or cool neighborhood, and the overall fan experience. For instance a little Jeffrey Loria in every Marlins employee making you feel like you should thank them for allowing you in to their nice house.
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[NorCalAtlFan]

Been to every major league stadium took me 26 years from start to finish here is how I rank them.

30)Oak

Them's fighting words! Free parking tuesdays, $1 wednesdays, etc That's gotta at least put Oak #29

[EWeaver]

Favorite: Camden, followed closely by AT&T (though the garlic fries as the feature food item are hugely overrated; cha cha bowl is really good) - have not been to PNC, plan to get there this summer, looks awesome (would go for just the primanti bros sandwich).

Biggest letdown: Nats Park (aside from the half-smoke)

Fondest memories at horrible parks: Metrodome (1991 game six), Milwaukee County Stadium (beer spilled on me by adults every trip, surprise surprise)

[Chest Rockwell]

[quote="EWeaver"]Favorite: Camden, followed closely by AT&T (though the garlic fries as the feature food item are hugely overrated; cha cha bowl is really good) - have not been to PNC, plan to get there this summer, looks awesome (would go for just the primanti bros sandwich).

Biggest letdown: Nats Park (aside from the half-smoke)

Fondest memories at horrible parks: Metrodome (1991 game six), Milwaukee County Stadium (beer spilled on me by adults every trip, surprise surprise)[/quot



Could not agree more. I bet you will love PNC. Opposing teams usually stay at the Westin. Great hotel and very near the park. Try to do the walk over on the bridges. Best sight lines of every stadium.

Vogel- Got surrounded on some steps heading to the Bart by three guys who were telling my six month pregnant wife that she needed to experience a real man. NFBC legend Lance sports betting man Turbes had just gotten out of ear shot to be able to help me. We have some friends who moved back to the bay to finish the last years of his career with the Raiders so we may try and get out there while he is still playing. I am assuming I don't want my daughter at a Raiders game.

[Yah Mule]

My wife and I halfway through seeing games in every park. In May, we're knocking out Wrigley and Cellular Field. We've been to every park west of Texas except Oakland. We keep hoping the A's will move first.

[jvetter]

I have not been to nearly as many as I want, but I really liked the Rangers ballpark in Arlington (called Globe Life Ballpark now I think). The outfield was wonkey and the food was good.

My favorite thing about Arlington is they let you bring your own food/drink in. One of the few stadiums I have been where fans fight for the back rows of sections to try to escape the summer sun.

You can bring your own food/drink into Busch Stadium as well.

I have only been to three stadiums so far: Busch (15-20 times), Kauffman (5-10 times), The Cell (1 time). I love the Royals Hall of Fame feature.

[dewskis]

Have not been to all but here is the list I have been too. I'm a Homer so I love Miller park...maybe because of how bad County Stadium was. I also have to admit I'm not sold on a stadium because of tradition thus the low rankings of Fenway and Wrigley. Or I just hate the Cubs that much!.
1. Miller Park
2. PNC
3. Pac Bell or whatever it's called now
4. New Busch
5. Petco
6. Turner Field
7. Great American
8. Fenway
9. Wrigley
10. Dodger Stadium
11. The Metronome thank god they built a new one.

[KJ Duke]

Been to every major league stadium took me 26 years from start to finish here is how I rank them.

30)Oak 29) Tampa 28) Miami yes the new park 27) White sox 26) Arizona 25) Toronto 24) Anaheim 23) Texas 22) Cleveland 21) Houston 20) Seattle 19) Atlanta 18) Yanks 17) StL 16) Cincy 15) Milwaukee 14) DC 13) Minn 12) KC 11) San Diego 10) Colorado 9) Philly 8) Detroit 7) Dodgers 6) Mets 5) Baltimore 4) Wrigley 3) Fenway 2) SF 1) PItt

First 5 are by far the worst. Hard to separate them in the top 10. I give a lot of credence to unique things, neighborhood being in good or cool neighborhood, and the overall fan experience. For instance a little Jeffrey Loria in every Marlins employee making you feel like you should thank them for allowing you in to their nice house.
—

My four "home parks" have been Wrigley, LA and SD.

Wrigley, near the best of the city, the ivy, the history, the fans, the El train ... awesome. Wrigley is a 10.
Can park at my office and walk to Petco, stadium and areas in/out, food, seat views all good. Lacks history. Petco an 8.
Dodger stadium is a nightmare to get in and out of. Stadium itself is nice. Dodger is a 6.
White Sox stadium, what little I recall of it didn't impress me and the location sucks. The Cell is a 2.

[Chest Rockwell]

Been to every major league stadium took me 26 years from start to finish here is how I rank them.

30)Oak 29) Tampa 28) Miami yes the new park 27) White sox 26) Arizona 25) Toronto 24) Anaheim 23) Texas 22) Cleveland 21) Houston 20) Seattle 19) Atlanta 18) Yanks 17) StL 16) Cincy 15) Milwaukee 14) DC 13) Minn 12) KC 11) San Diego 10) Colorado 9) Philly 8) Detroit 7) Dodgers 6) Mets 5) Baltimore 4) Wrigley 3) Fenway 2) SF 1) PItt

First 5 are by far the worst. Hard to separate them in the top 10. I give a lot of credence to unique things, neighborhood being in good or cool neighborhood, and the overall fan experience. For instance a little Jeffrey Loria in every Marlins employee making you feel like you should thank them for allowing you in to their nice house.
—

My four "home parks" have been Wrigley, LA and SD.

Wrigley, near the best of the city, the ivy, the history, the fans, the El train ... awesome. Wrigley is a 10.
Can park at my office and walk to Petco, stadium and areas in/out, food, seat views all good. Lacks history. Petco an 8.
Dodger stadium is a nightmare to get in and out of. Stadium itself is nice. Dodger is a 6.
White Sox stadium, what little I recall of it didn't impress me and the location sucks. The Cell is a 2.

I love Dodger other than that we agree. Old Jack Murphy was my second all time worst behind the vet.

[76erfan]

we do a new park each year as part of following the phillies on a road trip

started with fenway..did wrigley last year...this year is petco park in early august. Looking fwd to it

[Chest Rockwell]

Have not been to all but here is the list I have been too. I'm a Homer so I love Miller park...maybe because of how bad County Stadium was. I also have to admit I'm not sold on a stadium because of tradition thus the low rankings of Fenway and Wrigley. Or I just hate the Cubs that much!.
1. Miller Park
2. PNC
3. Pac Bell or whatever it's called now
4. New Busch
5. Petco
6. Turner Field
7. Great American
8. Fenway
9. Wrigley
10. Dodger Stadium
11. The Metronome thank god they built a new one.

I find that Miller Park sits in the oddest of neighborhoods. Outside downtown in this little residential neighborhood or least that is how a guy who has only spent two nights ever in Milwaukee saw it. Only other stadium I can think of off the top of my head like it is KC which is one of my favorite parks. 76er fan great road trip cities you might not expect with the boys are KC eat a ton of bbq, Toronto, and Detroit. Detroit ballpark right near casinos and lots of ballet dancers across the river.

[whale4evr]

Been to 15, my faves are Old Comiskey, Wrigley, Dodger Stadium. Least faves are Candlestick, The Big A, the Cell. Seeing a game at the old Comiskey was like touring a museum.

[Redgta91]

I've been to them all and saw both ny, dc and Miami before they moved and now need to see the new ones. RFK is right up there with the Metrodome(hard to say for a twins fan) as the worst in my opinion.

[morons]

My girlfriend and I went to all 30 parks in 2013: Our rankings, based on combined weighting of the stadium, the food, the prices, the neighborhood, the home team fans, access to/from/parking, and answer to question "Would I come back here again now that I've seen all 30 parks?". Our standard seat was upper deck, behind home plate. Food at the game was essentially all we ate for the day, so it had to be more than hot dogs and pizza and it had to be at concession stands, not some fancy VIP wait-in-line restaurant where we couldn't see game. Goal was to spend less than $100 per game on tickets, parking, food

1) PITTSBURGH- Great scenic views, great field, love the Quaker Steak and Lube fries, $5 parking under some yellow bridge across the street. I'd go there again anytime for a game.
2) BALTIMORE- Great views, good parking, overall BEST FOOD of all parks, get the bacon-on-a-stick and hit up Boog's for a BBQ sandwich, they also have good crab fries....NOT #1 because obnoxious O's fans, Don't like that they don't sing along with National Anthem but then shout out "OHHHHHHHHH" in support of their team when singer sings "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave..." Tacky. Fans wouldn't shut up, sit down, and quit playing with their cell phones all game long.
3)KC- Like the fountains in OF, best BBQ stand ever out in LF, cheap parking. BEST NACHOS. Can sit in tables in OF whole game and enjoy food and views. Monster scoreboard in CF. Mini golf course in LF for when your kids are restless. Family-oriented.
4)MINNESOTA-suprisingly broad food selection, good prices, a different feel than all the other "modern parks". Train goes right to game, also many cheap parking garages across street
5)CINCY-Common theme here, good views, like sitting behind home plate, looking out on river. Parking garage under stadium, decent prices. BEST HOT DOG of all parks: Skyline Chili Coney Dog . BEST PIZZA of all parks too.
6)COLORADO- Nice park, BEST BEER of all parks, a local brew stand in LF. Stadium employees rather rude though....
7) SAN DIEGO- Better food than local restaurants, grass field behind RF that families take their kids to sit in so they aren't in stands by you. Very good smoked salmon burger. BEST FISH TACOS
8) ST LOUIS- points off for neighborhood, pay extra $$ to park close. 2nd-best hotdog of all parks: Bacon-wrapped dog. BEST POPCORN of all parks- Gourmet flavored popcorn stand. Man, those folks love that stupid arch though, its on everything.
9) SAN FRANCISCO: Best views of bay when its nice day, Points off for parking, traffic, access, prices, too many people wearing panda hats, Take BART. Or the boat, like we do since we live across the bay. Great food, get the Cubano sandwich from out in CF. Wear shorts, but bring gloves and winter coat, ya never know about SF weather.
10)SEATTLE- MY fave of the dome/part-dome stadiums. Great food, love the Thai curry place behind 3B. BEST DESSERT of all parks- Shiskaberry chocolate covered berries and bananas
11) DETROIT- Parking an issue if you don't go into the Ford Field lot, good food, I love the cheesy ranchy covered tater tots and bacon-on-a-stick, RF stands
12) HOUSTON- Rather unique blend of retro-look but modernness also, they have a make-your-own salad bar which was a hit with my girlfriend and I as we had been tired of the same old stadium food, also nice ice cream bar. I love the stadium announcer, voice sounds like he is classic rock DJ or MC for Monster Truck Rally.
13) ARIZONA- Domeness appreciated on 115 degree day, good food, mac-n-cheese hot dog. Amazingly clean, felt like I was in a convention center.
14) MILWAUKEE- It seems "too big" and not a fit for the city, not really in downtown like most parks are these days, looks like alien space ship that landed and is about to conquer the town. Good beer and brats, duh. Sausage Races = BEST ENTERTAINMENT BETWEEN INNINGS of all parks.
15) YANKEES- Not the "House that Ruth built", so why copy it? BEST FANS, Surprisingly friendly fans, not what was expected for sure, met more people at this game than any other, my girlfriend spent whole game talking to some ladies sitting by us (I think she a bridesmaid in one of their weddings this fall), got free beer from guy who bought a round for our whole row. Even nice fans on subway ride back downtown at midnight. BEST GAME seen on our tour-Was at Mariano Rivera last game, truly electric evening....But the park otherwise not impressive.
16) CLEVELAND: Average. Parks 16-20 all built around same time, all have that "We want to copy Camden Yards" appearance
17) PHILLY: Average
18) ATLANTA: Average
19) METS- Average
20) CHI SOX- Average park, points off for the location, but you can take Redline CTA train there.
21) ANGELS- Nothing special, other than the enchilada hot dog. I will say, parking was amazingly easy and affordable compared to everything else in LA. Good hotel selection across the street.
22) MIAMI- Best part here was $5 dollar tickets last week of season since team so bad
23) TAMPA- Nothing special about the park, better venue for monster truck relays, NCAA tournament games, or Van Halen concert, but they do have the aquarium with sting rays in it, so that keeps it out of my bottom 5
24) CUBS- Overpriced dump that sappy nostalgic fans overvalue because of tradition. Tradition of losing, that is. Wear a hard-hat if you sit in lower deck, rafters might crumble on you. Rats won't crawl around Wrigley because they think its too dirty. The worst team in the league shouldn't charge the most amount of money for seats with a view of a pole in front of you. Taking the Redline train instead of parking is only plus.
25) RED SOX- See above about sappy and nostalgic. Tie Most obnoxious fans. Expensive. Uncomfortable for anyone over 5ft 2 inches tall, plan on having your knees rammed into back of seat for 3 hours and stepped on all day long by countless drunks running to and from the bar and bathrooms. (And we went day game, weekday...) You will probably stick to floor if you stand in one spot too long.
26) DODGERS- Tie Most obnoxious fans, worst traffic, spent an hour from freeway exit to parking space, too pricey.
27) WASHINGTON- Major bomb for a new park, overpriced, shattered the budget, no exciting beer or food to try, $45 for parking, nothing positive about it. Nothing.
28) TORONTO- I suppose in 90s the retractable roof was cool, but the stadium is too ugly, too blue, too expensive.
29) TEXAS- TOO F***ING HOT!! They should trade parks with Milwaukee. Mark Cuban should buy Miller Park from Milwaukee and move it to Dallas. Being scorched, sweaty, and uncomfortable made everything else irrelevant. Needed to buy towels to put on seats because they were too hot. WARNING: Extra inning game at this stadium increases your risk for skin cancer.
30) OAKLAND- Its really the Raiders stadium with a baseball diamond in it. Good seats available- fans won't show up until playoff games.

The tour was great. Would recommend it to anyone who has a sig other, kids, best friend, parents, whoever, who enjoy baseball. Going to games in SEPT was best because we either got teams in pennant races and great games, or teams that were totally out of it and had cheap tickets and concession stand deals. Travel costs better in SEPT also

[Doctor Who]

Morons, that is awesome. If you don't mind, how long did it take you to complete and how much did it cost with all the flights and hotels and such. I've always thought about doing this one year, even though I've been to a lot of parks throughout my life, but have yet to really head out west.

My rankings and some secrets of the ballparks I've had the pleasure of visiting.

15. CHI SOX- I thought it was an average park but went to a day game and felt the hottest I ever sat through the game. I ended up losing 5-6 pounds during a 4 hour AL game one year. And I'm from Houston where its hot AND humid.

14. Cleveland- Nothing was really special about it and felt bigger than it actually was.

13. Philly- Got to walk on the field before a game and in the dugout. Must be the Philly atmosphere but even the ballpark had some grit to it. But overall, it didn't pop like I thought it would.

12. Yankee Stadium II- If not for the history in this place, it really was a dump and was not impressed at all. The walkup to the ballpark was nice and nostalgic, but once you were in, the hallways felt like they were made for people under 6 feet tall.

11. Milwaukee- Everyone is high on this place, but I didn't like the seat construction of not having the seats pointed to home plate. There also wasn't anything special about it and was really tame when I went. Maybe it has gotten better since, but to me it was just an average park.

10. St Louis Busch Stadium 1 and 2- I'm grouping them the same because in reality they are the same ballpark with newer construction and same layout. The one thing I noticed there was all of the advertising. The old Busch didn't have as much and seemed purer. My advice though if you go, go eat at the old spaghetti warehouse downtown nearby, its cheap, has some history and is very good.

9. Great American Ballpark- We actually got in a rain delay for this game and got to see a 7 hour game. It ended up being awesome because my dad and I ended up 3 rows in front of Tom Hanks and his buddies behind the dugout in the later innings. He was really hilarious as he was chiding the players just like some fans do. Fun game and the park was nicer and held up really well with all the rain.

8. Detroit- Loved all the architecture even though it was newer. We sat in one of the boxes on the lower level and was quite impressed. It was almost like your own lounge with a table in between. As for the workers, they were dreadful. We tried to get a $5 program and we were shocked that the guy said no because he didn't want to break my dad's 20. We were dumbfounded.

7. Shea Stadium- Went in the last year Shea was there before they tore it down. Nothing like planes going overhead of you during a game. Sure was a different experience. Had more of a New York feel, which is why I think I liked it more than the money driven yankee stadium.

6. Texas- Yes it is bloody hot outdoors, but quite pleasant if you go not in the summer or a night game. I love there home run music and production they do. The ballpark itself has a lot of pieces formed together from older parks to make it look good. Also, a sneaky gem is looking at the offices in CF where the advertisements are and depending on if its a single, double, triple, HR, error, one of the lights from the advertising will flicker. Really neat and original.

5. Royals- I've gone before the fountain construction and after, and really like what they have done with the place. You feel right on top of the field. A sneaky suggestion I would give, go on stubhub before a game and get the diamond club behind home plate tickets. Usually around 250 each, which sounds high, but you get a ticket right behind home plate, but get unlimited food and alcohol, yes unlimited alcohol! I don't know how they get away with that!

4. Astrodome- Yes, yes, maybe it is because I'm a homer, but I grew up in this place. It was the first of its kind, and so huge compared to everywhere else. So many good and bad memories there. We always have to face those stupid Braves in the first round!

3. MMP- Again, maybe a homer pick but I think it is a hidden gem that grows on people. Its original, yet incorporates some of the past in it (Yes I like the hill and and flagpole in play). My suggestion to you is, buy a cheap upper deck ticket, don't go to your seat, and head out to Budweiser Patio in CF. There is a bar there that has a great view, is free to sit in and a great place to watch a game. And since I know the bartenders, if you are ever in town, hit me up and drinks are on me!

2. Fenway- Maybe it was because I was a kid when I visited, pre Monster construction, but I loved the atmosphere even during a non-playoff year. Yes the seats were cramped even for a kid like me at the time, but there was nothing like walking up to the Monster and seeing the Sox play. Nomar was a fav of mine growing up.

1. Wrigley- Loved Wrigley, loved the fans. Sat in the bleachers, and ended up getting some free drinks from the locals during the game even though was an Astro fan while the Stros were there. Love the bars around Wrigley too before and after the game. Nothing like Wrigleyville.

[JohnP]

Have not been to all but here is the list I have been too. I'm a Homer so I love Miller park...maybe because of how bad County Stadium was. I also have to admit I'm not sold on a stadium because of tradition thus the low rankings of Fenway and Wrigley. Or I just hate the Cubs that much!.
1. Miller Park
2. PNC
3. Pac Bell or whatever it's called now
4. New Busch
5. Petco
6. Turner Field
7. Great American
8. Fenway
9. Wrigley
10. Dodger Stadium
11. The Metronome thank god they built a new one.

Man...couldn't agree more! Love Miller Park. Love the whole tailgating scene. The folks of WI are the best. I live in Chicago - been to both Chicago parks multiple times. Neither of them compare. Wrigley.....seriously? I know it oozes history and all that but such a dump. I suppose much is skewed by your memories as a kid. It is part of what makes baseball such a beautiful game.

[Bob Enzyte]

Morons, loved your post about seeing all 30 stadiums in one year. And to have someone go along that loves it as much as you do is pretty special. My question to you is why is she still your girlfriend and not your wife? I can't get my wife to go to even one game.

[Glenneration X]

I agree that Matt's post is awesome, as are all the posts on this thread.

Many years ago, my brother attempted to do the same thing as Matt. He had this poster that he hung on a wall that had all the major league stadiums on it. Whenever he would visit one of these ballparks, he would tack the tickets to the corresponding picture on his poster. He never did finish, but inspired me to want to do the same one day.

Unfortunately, the only current major league baseball parks I've visited so far are Citifield and the new Yankee Stadium.

My current rankings for parks I've visited in my lifetime.....

1. Citifield
2. Shea Stadium
3. LI Ducks Stadium (minor league stadium on Long Island)
4. Centereach Park (a local park where I played softball in the past and my son plays baseball and flag football)
5. Any of the other various local schools or parks I've played in during my lifetime
6. Roosevelt Field (softball during family picnics)
7. My backyard (wiffle ball has taken place here)
8. My driveway (catches with my son)
9. The stoop for the house I grew up in Brooklyn (stoopball anyone?)
10. Any version of Yankees stadium

All kidding aside, when my 7 year old son gets a little older, I'd love to be able to do with him what Matt's done with his girlfriend. I'm not sure I'll be able to as I'm not sure how I would make the time, maybe over the course of many years. It's something nice to think about though and something great that I'd love to share with him as he's already a crazy sports nut, even at this young age.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread. It's a nice read.

[KJ Duke]

My question to you is why is she still your girlfriend and not your wife? I can't get my wife to go to even one game.

Seems like you answered your own question Lindy.

[Yah Mule]

Great thread. My wife is a bigger football and hockey fan than she is a baseball fan, but she knows how much I want to see every MLB stadium. We combine trips to national parks with most of our baseball stadium visits. We did Mount Rainier when we were in Seattle and Saguaro in Arizona and the best of all was when we combined our trip to San Francisco with a ride up the coast to Redwood National Park in Trinidad, CA. That remains the one place we've visited where our cameras simply couldn't do justice to nature's majesty.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

Great posting.
Enjoyed the read and the comedy on some of these -- especially 24)CUBS
I've heard same about Wrigley elsewhere, and it's not on my bucket list

Saw Fenway from the outside. It's cool the way it's built into the city. But refused to pay ticket prices that required you to have a key to the U.S. Mint.

Looks like both of our 30 stadium guys can agree that 30)Oakland is the worst. Interesting.

I'll be going to Miller Park this summer on a trip to the Midwest.

I've been to only 6 different stadiums for games and will rank them this way:
1) Citi Field (Has to be one of the best MLB stadiums. What more could you want?)
2) Citizens Bank Park - Real good park, but doesn't beat Citi Field due to transportation situation
3) Yankee Stadium (The old one)
4) Camden Yards -- average.
5) Shea Stadium -- just a notch above.......
6) Veterans Stadium (has to be one of the worst stadiums ever built. Too big for baseball, terrible sight lines, and a nightmare to get in and out of)

[GoCrazyFolks]

If you decide to catch a game at Busch or Great American in Cincy, make sure to buzz over to Evansville IN and check out Bosse Field, home of the Fighting Otters of the Frontier League and where they filmed some of "A league of Their Own".

I believe only Fenway and Wrigley are older than Bosse and it's a neat & nostalgic place to watch a game.