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MLB Ballpark Visits: Reviews, Rankings, Observations

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This came up in the new stadium thread. I thought it would be a good discussion among people here who have been to multiple MLB parks outside of Chicago to get everyone's thoughts, likes, dislikes, observations, etc. about other ballparks. I'd like to limit this to MLB ballparks only (past and present). Discussing stadiums in other leagues (including minor league baseball) will end up with apples to oranges comparisons.

I've been to a dozen of the current MLB ballparks. I think it'd be too arbitrary for me to simply rank them 1 to 12. Instead, I'm going to give some general observations. I'm going to start off with the ballparks that I think are top-tier.

Oracle Park: Nice ballpark, but location, location, location. The backdrop view is incredible and from the concourse, I got a great nighttime view of the Bay Bridge. The outfield concourse is pretty good too. I was able to take light rail from my hotel right to the park, so transit access was good in my experience.

PNC Park: The best designed ballpark of all the parks I've been to. Nice simple layout with only 2 decks, great views of the field from the lower concourse (much better than at Rate Field) and great outfield concourse with a view out onto the Alleghany River. Food was really good with some local favorites: pierogis, Primanti Bros sandwiches, and a a concession stand operated by Manny Sanguillen. Backdrop is top-notch with the Clemente Bridge and the city skyline. Location is great with the riverwalk right there and downtown right across the bridge. I was able to walk from my downtown hotel to the ballpark. The area around the park seemed fine with some bars, restaurants, hotels, and residences, but it wasn't nearly as bustling as i've seen around other ballparks. Too bad the Pirates are so perpetually bad. This place could be electric if the organization could field a more competitive team. I think they've made the playoffs only 3 times (3 years in a row) in the 25 years since this place opened.

Petco Park: I'd say this one is the best overall of the ones I've been too. Great ballpark. The backdrop isn't as stunning as the other two above, but the historic warehouse in the LF corner is a nice touch. There's a city park just beyond CF that is part of the gated ballpark area during games, but then it appears to be a public park all other times. Hard to beat that beautiful San Diego weather. Location is great in the Gaslamp District. Food was really good too. It's no surprise to me that the Padres draw 3M a year here. I was able to take light rail from my hotel in Old Town to the stadium, so again transit access was good for me.

Ballparks I’ve been to, first year visiting and number of times.

Comiskey 1955, 200+ games including 1959 World Series game 2, my all time favorite, very close to the action.

Wrigley Field 1955, 30 games, great for Bears games

Yankee Stadium 1965, once, the original house that Ruth built

Metropolitan Stadium 1966, once, giant erector set, wasn’t impressed

Shea Stadium 1967, once, big and dual purpose with baseball suffering

Connie Mack Stadium 1967, once, a real dump

Anaheim Stadium 1975, at that time it was pretty bland, 3 more times after the remake, much better.

Fenway Park 1978, once, cramped an old with some seats with bad sightlines

Milwaukee County Stadium 1978, 3 times, pretty nice ballpark

Comiskey Park ll 1991, 10 times, pretty bad when it opened but now very good.

Pro Player Park 1997, 3 times including 2 World Series games, made for football

Tropicana Field 2000, 10 times, not all that bad, pretty dark, the rings are the problem, when it’s full, it’s loud.

Dodger Stadium 2009, once, great setting but as a ballpark no better than the Rate, still looked like new as it was built in 1962.

Edited by The Mighty Mite

Safeco

Oracle Park

Dodger Stadium

first two Rangers

Comiskey & GRF

Wrigley

new Twins

Busch II StL 20ish games

Royals/Kauffman 50ish games

Tiger Stadium & Comerica

Memorial Stadium Cleve

Memorial Stadium Baltimore

Atlanta Fulton County

Three Rivers & PNC

Yankee Stadium

LAA

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