Baseball trip reflections and Ballparks Ranked
http://www.pastorfrankdrenner.com/2015/06/reviewing-half-of-major-league-ballparks.html?m=1
April-May 2023
Teams I saw once:
Detroit
Toronto
Phillies
Rockies
Reds
Cubs
White Sox
Twins
Royals
Dodgers
Teams I saw twice:
Giants
Rays
Rangers
Padres
Brewers
Angels
Quick thoughts from each ballpark:
Detroit: most exciting game; walk off home run by the home team in the 10th
Toronto: Skydome/Rogers Centre isn’t as much of a concrete Goliath as I thought. And the stereotype seems true: the Canadians are so kind.
Philly: Very engaged fans- someone tried a couple of times to start The Wave™️, and they were like, “Dude have a seat.” OH AND PHILLY HAS EXCELLENT FOOD SELECTIONS
Cincinnati: This is a very good ballpark in a great setting, but attendance was poor. The team isn’t good, but they swept my Rangers. Should have better support. Good beer selections- and the chili cheese coneys were a hit!
Chicago and Milwaukee were extra special because my buddy Royce Hayes joined me.
Wrigley- sure I get it. It’s old and small and everyone goes here. But I wonder what the percentage of ✌️fans✌️were there, versus tourists. And I have never been so cold- not just at a ballgame but ever.
White Sox- really enjoyed this place. If you go to Chicago, and you should because it’s the best city, see the Sox. Very committed fans, they make a kind of generic stadium work really well, great uniforms and history.
Milwaukee: I had the most fun here. The ballpark has a brewery!! The fans love Wisconsin- their pride is obvious. I fell in love with Mr Barrelman, now my favorite mascot. Closed roof- a good touch on a cool night.
Minneapolis/St Paul: Cold, but not bad. Again, midwesterners are just proud in the best ways. Homemade mini donuts were a WIN.
San Francisco: I mean, the highlight of the trip was my wife’s visit. Oracle Park is a gem. Owner financed- no public money. Garlic fries or were kind of spare, but the crab fries were on point! And getting to return to Oakland on a ferry after the game was a big bonus. Cold- not Wrigley cold of course but cold!
San Diego- great ballpark, great location. I hate to fly, but the flight plan of landing planes just over the outfield wall is a fun distraction. Great fans, really confident team, Tony Gwynn was one of my top 10 all time fav players. Time to win a title, but not before the Rangers.
The Big A- another old stadium style, but they also make it work. Not much stands out, except that the Rangers scored 27 runs in three games there this weekend!
Now the rankings. Buckle up.
30 Oakland- could have gone here but didn’t, for two reasons: 1. It’s a dump 2. They are abandoning their loyal fan base for Las Vegas. Boo
29 Tampa- haven’t been here, but I know it’s terrible; 1. It’s Florida 2. It’s just not for baseball. I grew up going to games in the Astrodome. A real shame, because their team is very good.
28 Arizona
27 DC- just very generic
26 Toronto
25 New Rangers park- just doesn’t have any character. They chose function over design and it’s a shame, because as hot as the old place was, it was fantastic.
24 Seattle
23 Denver
22 Anaheim
21 Kansas City
20 Houston- bonus for the little train and downtown location. Other than that it’s an airplane hanger.
19 Milwaukee- Major points for placing experience over function. Not much to look at, located away from the city, but it’s a great time. Good food too
18 Miami - haven’t been here- again Florida- but I give them points for design. They’ll never have a devoted fan base, which is management and ownership’s fault. Won two titles, sold off the players, alienated their fans.
17 New York Mets
16 Philadelphia
15 Detroit
14 Atlanta- haven’t been to the new place, but I disapprove of suburbs > city.
13 Cleveland- good location, great city, terrible ballpark food. Y’all need to visit other parks and take notes.
12 Cincinnati
11 White Sox
10 Minnesota
9 Wrigley- I know this and Fenway are a century + old. I respect that.
8 Fenway
7 St Louis- haven’t been to the new Busch. No plans to attend. I hate the Cardinals- love the fans, respect the tradition, just too much heartbreak with Astros and Rangers.
6 San Diego
5 New York Yankees- haven’t been to the new Stadium, but Yankees fans are the best. And they know it.
4Baltimore- great location, started the revitalization/historic trend of the 90s.
3 Dodgers- A+ all around. Classic. Great fans, lousy location, terrific history. I could see games here every day for a month and never grow tired of the experience
2 Pittsburgh- previous #1. It has everything- downtown. Bridges. Small/intimate. They are winning. More people need to visit this place. It should be the prototype.
1 San Francisco- food needs improvement. Water location, return to three places via ferry, easy mass transit, part of the city, great franchise and history. Privately financed. Unpredictable weather. Bridge behind left field. The giant Coke bottle IS A SLIDE. PacBell-AT&T-Oracle. It’s got it all.
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