I like lists. For my blog I really enjoy series, as it helps take the guess work out of creating content. So for the next month or so, I am going to try Ten on Tuesday - a series of Top Ten lists inspired by Bethany and Dan Photography, a blog I found through another one I follow.
Remember your first baseball game?
Walking up to the ballpark, going through the turnstile, an elderly gent [or lady] tearing your ticket... you find the sign directing you to your section. Then you walk into a long, dark tunnel. As you come out, your eyes open wider than your mouth and your heart stands still. Before you, the most brilliant diamond you have ever seen. And, no matter how often you've since walked through that tunnel, every single time you emerge and see that ball field, it's your first baseball game all over again. Baseball is beautiful.
-Bergino (Ballparks of America Map Baseball)
I purchased the Ballparks of America Map baseball at the gift shop of the Tenement Museum in New York City. When I finally opened the package that poem was included. It really spoke to me because no matter how many baseball games I have been to over the last 31 years (a lot), or how many stadiums I have visited (about 17, including a few minor league teams), I do not ever get tired of the experience. You can now follow my progress on my Ballpark Chasers Widget on the right side of the blog. On deck for this season: Miller Park, Milwaukee Wisconsin, home of the Brewers.
So here is my purely subjective, totally biased top 10 Major League Stadiums:
10. (Old) Yankee Stadium
The hardest part about the goal of seeing all the Major League baseball stadiums is that it is an ever-moving target as fields are torn down and new ones built. Being the baseball aficionado (self-proclaimed) that I am, I had to get to Old Yankee Stadium before the wrecking ball came through. In its last season, my parents made that dream come true. Let it be known, I went purely for the history, which was truly palpable in a stadium that was showing its age by the time I went. It will forever remain the oddest shaped field/building I have ever been in, and also some of the most expensive seats my bottom has ever sat. I am a devout Yankee-hater, but I was sure glad to be in the House that Ruth Built before it became no more.
9. Tropicana Field
Danny and I went to Tropicana Field on our honeymoon. In fact we drove across the state of Florida and back all so that we could catch this game. By my standards it was a spur of the moment trip, but it was worth the drive to cross this one off the list. There are two stadiums on my list named after orange juice companies, but this is the lesser one in terms of stadium aesthetics, but definitely wins for their fan base. I have often watched Tampa Bay Rays home games on TV, and commented on the poor attendance for such a solid team. Visiting the stadium I realized a few things, first the stadium is in kind of a crummy area, but inside except for the dome (which is slanted thus providing a really crazy viewing angle), is quite nice. I especially enjoyed the tank of sting rays in the outfield. You can touch them and everything - I have a picture of my "I touched a Ray" sticker. Finally, I realized the fans who attend the games really want to be there - their enthusiasm was fun and contagious.
8. Minute Maid Park
Home to the Houston Astros, forever beloved in my mind as the losing side of the White Sox World Series victory (a sweep, no less). I visited this stadium by myself, which was a first (and probably only). It's one thing to go to a movie alone, but going to a baseball game was kind of hard. I was in Houston on business and was able to catch a day game before the meetings started. I got a great price on my ticket, so I sat really close to the field. I was on the first base side, which gave me a straight on view of the train that goes across a track in the outfield when the Astros make a good play/home run. Yea trains! It is a beautiful park with real grass even with the retractable roof - thankfully it was closed when I was there due to extreme heat. I would like the stadium to remain more attractive than the team since the Astros have just moved into the American League - thus more competition for my Sox.
7. Great American Ball Park
I married into a family of Reds fans. Fine by me since their team has a stadium that makes my personal list. There are a few stadiums around the country that are built right on the water, but GAB is the only one I have seen in person (to date). It is located on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. Great American Ball Park serves as the home of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball's first professional franchise. With time stadium architects have been going with a more open feeling, and GAB does this masterfully. On our visit my family sat in the area behind home plate. Usually this is my least favorite place to watch a game, but at this stadium it provides gorgeous views of the field and the water. The Reds are playing good ball, which always helps! Now I think I need to get Danny there one of these days.
6. Comerica Park
I am hoping that this stadium will add a touch of credibility to my subjective list as the Detroit Tigers are fast becoming my least favorite team in baseball. Yes, they outrank the Yankees currently due to the direct impact on the AL Central, the division of the White Sox. Though, I have no problem admitting they have a gorgeous stadium done by architectural firm HOK Sport (now Populous), which has pioneered retro ballparks, including Oriole Park at Camden Yards (see #4). While I hear tell that there is a Ferris wheel at the park, I do not recall such a thing. I do, however, remember loving the tigers near the Comerica Park sign, as well as the fountain in center field. I may need to go back just to see that Ferris wheel, and root against the Tigers...
5. Fenway Park
Here is another stadium rich in history that can be felt when you're in the stands. I have been to Fenway twice, once to see a game (pre-2004 when tickets were still within reason) and then later on for a tour. I especially love The Green Monster, the 37 foot, 2 inch high left field wall. The stadium is over 100 years old (101), and so the wall was constructed along the way to compensate for the relatively small outfield. It is now a popular target for right-handed batters. While the wall turns does turn many would-be line-drive homers into doubles it also allows some high yet shallow fly balls to clear the field of play for a home run. The added a smaller seating section in 2005, dubbed the "Nation's Nest," located between the main seating section and the center field scoreboard. Sitting in those seats is on my sports bucket list!
4. Oriole Park at Camden Yards
I just love this park. It is truly the stadium by which all other stadiums I visit are measured. It has this "retro park" feel that makes it look and feel so pleasing. My all-time favorite player was an Oriole (Cal Ripkin, Jr.), which I am sure contributes to my love of this place. I will never forget September 6, 1995 watching Cal Ripken, Jr. break Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games played, he hit a home run on that game too. My favorite aspect of the celebration was seeing the numbers change to spell out 2-1-3-0 in the windows of the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) warehouse building that is incorporated into the architecture of the building. Make sure you go!
3. Philadelphia Veterans Stadium ("The Vet")
This stadium makes this list purely because it was my first game (at about 3 months old, my Dad assures me it would have been sooner, but I was not born until the end of March). I actually do not remember too much about the Vet, other than my love of Mike Schmidt (best third baseman of my lifetime) and the Philly Phanatic. In fact my stuffed Philly Phanatic (who is as old as me) just came out of the moving box yesterday! The Vet was one of those horrible cookie-cutter stadiums that were popular in the 1970s. The Old Busch Stadium (in St. Louis) was a similar design. I did remember visiting that stadium before it was torn down (again, making my moving my target as I have to go to the new and much improved Busch Stadium). My big complaint with those buildings was the lack of air flow - high walls would trap muggy, humid air and just make the viewing experience miserable at times! I love this assessment of Veterans Stadium from Wikipedia, "The stadium was harshly criticized by baseball purists. Even by multi-purpose-stadium standards, the upper deck was exceptionally high, and many of the seats in that area were so far from the field that it was difficult to see the game without binoculars." The Phillies new home, Citizen Bank Park is a huge improvement, but I had to draw the line somewhere. I especially like the Liberty Bell in the outfield that lights up and swings for exciting moments, plus the Phanatic is still riding his ATV!
No surprise here, I love my White Sox. In all honesty, by my baseball purity standards the stadium is just eh, but I love the good guys in Black! I have not missed a game at Comiskey since 1991 (we moved to Indiana in the fall, 1990). It came down to October and our honeymoon last year, but I was able to squeeze in a game. Sadly I have heard that Old Comiskey was a great place to watch a game, but it was demolished just as we moved to Indiana. I still struggle to call it US Cellular although Charles Comiskey was not a nice person (the owner of the White Sox from 1900 until his death in 1931, he can be held largely responsible for the circumstances that led up to the Black Sox Scandal of 1919). I am just saddened by the commercialization of baseball, I know it's a business; really I do. If you go, be sure to root on my Sox! Their pitching looks great, but they need some help on offense!
1. Coors Field
Danny seemed to take offense that Coors Field was sharing the top spot with Comiskey since we were married there and all. I simply reminded him that he knew exactly what he was getting out of me when he proposed. In all honesty even before it was our wedding venue, I decided that Coors Field was one of the most beautiful parks in the country. Sports Illustrated happened to agree with me as the last ranking I saw had it in the top four. Of course they took into account the productivity of the team on the field, which could not have helped matters since the Rockies struggle with consistency. Coors Field is also modeled after Camden Yards, and is truly spectacular place complete with it's mountain views and replica of Golden (home of the Coors Brewery) in the outfield. If you go, be sure to venture up to the purple row of seats, and then you can say that you are truly a mile high (5,280 feet up). Or you can check out the rock pile, bleachers where you can still see a professional baseball game for $4.00/ticket. The only bad seat in the house is this crazy viewing angle out in right field. I have tried it, and do not recommend it. Of course no stadium nor baseball experience can top marrying Danny at home plate. I am not going to try to top it, but I am still going to try to see all the 30 professional stadiums. Maybe then I will move on to the Minor Leagues...
