During the Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers game on Friday night, WGN had a common and always interesting fan poll. Which stadium, in this case it was NL West stadiums, is your favorite?
So, that is the question I am posing to all of the Bleacher Report network. What is your favorite stadium(s)? Also, what makes it better than every other stadium in baseball.
Here are my 5 favorite and reasons why I love them:
1. Wrigley Field- What is there not to love? The only real negative about baseball at Wrigley is the obstructed views due to the beams holding up the upper deck. The Ivy, the packed house for every game, the singing of the 7th inning stretch, the atmosphere of the surrounding neighborhoods, and Old Style Beer. Wrigley Field, to many professionals in the baseball community, is heaven.
2. Coors Field- It is still a relatively new stadium, built in 1995 for the Colorado Rockies. The most distinctive feature of Coors Field is the row of purple seats in the upper decks that signify the exact elevation equaling one mile above sea level. My personal favorite feature is the view of the Rocky Mountains and downtown Denver. Even with bad teams historically, Denver supports the Rockies, just like they support the other major sports teams in Denver.
- B/R Ticket Guide
3. PNC Park- Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This stadium, in my opinion, is by far the best stadium in all of professional sports. The reason it isn't number one on my list is how aweful it is watching games in person there. NOBODY comes to the game, which is a shame because of the beauty of the stadium. They have the 2nd worse attendance in MLB, ahead of only the Florida Marlins. Fans are missing out though. I highly recommend a trip to Pittsburgh to check out PNC Park. The rivers, the bridges, the downtown skyline of Pittsburgh, and price of a game experience here are worth the trip.
4. AT&T Park- The San Francisco Giants have as great of a location as any team has ever had in professional sports. The location, right on the bay, make for amazing views. This is a good thing too, since what is on the field, with the exception of Tim Lincecum, is not worth seeing. The only problem I have with this stadium is the fans. Many, and I mean many, bring their laptops with them to the stadium and work during the game. Maybe they are just keeping up with the Barry Bonds trial going on right now. If that's the case, I'll allow it.
5. Yankee Stadium- I had to put this one on the list. The history here warrants it alone. Monument Park is almost as impressive as Cooperstown. The stadium is in pretty good shape for its age. And it has sold out nearly (possibly every) game since the Great Depression.
Honorable Mention: Progressive Field in Cleveland, Fenway in Boston, and Angels Stadium in Anaheim.
This is my top five. As usual, we have our own biases as to why stadiums are better than others. I tried to leave out my biases, besides the obvious infatuation with the Cubs. Let's here what you all have to say.
Go Cubs!
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5 months ago
I've gotta use some bias here.
All I'm going to say is, Fenway would crack my top five.
The first time I went to Fenway, I was eight, and this was the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. It was June '99. Sox-Braves. Got to see Nomar and the gang drop a tough one in 10 innings.
I will never forget the first time I walked out of the tunnel and into the stands, because there it was. The Green Monster, straight ahead. Simply massive to an eight-year-old. Fenway was something I only heard about or saw on TV (like the old Boston Garden, which I never went to). Simply surreal. Even though it was nine years ago, I remember almost every detail of the day. Eating a Fenway Frank, getting a '99 ASG foam finger, where I sat (Grandstand Section 17, Row 2, Seat 8, looking right down the left field line). I've been to a couple other parks, they just don't have the mystique Fenway has.
5 months ago
Wrigley Field is a DUMP.
The new Busch Stadium is amazing, and the new Ballpark Village is only going to make it better.
I particularly didn't care for Kauffman Stadium when I went there, and Tropicana Field looked like a dump from the outside.
I would love to visit Fenway, Coors, At&t, and PNC, among others. But besides the Wrigley part, I like the list.
from 5 months ago
Ouch. A dump? It is over 90 years old! Of course it'll have its issues. In that case Fenway is a dump, Lambeau Field, and any other traditional stadium is a dump. Wrigley is unique because it lets you eperience baseball the way it was meant to be experienced when baseball was in its infancy.
The new Busch Stadium is amazing, but has no appeal that draws visitors from around the world. It isn't Wrigley that makes everyone love it. Its Wrigleyville, which hands down is the best area in the world to be on a game day. The neighborhood is amazing.
5 months ago
I grow weary of people complaining about the lack of amenities at Wrigley Field. Now, if you want to complain about the tourists that populate the park and scream obscenities and get painfully drunk, then that's one thing. But with all that stuff going on, there isn't a better place to actually WATCH a game. It's a beautiful park, and the echoes of eras past that you can feel every time you walk in the stadium are enough to send chills down your spine. I will readily admit that the food isn't all that great, and that peeing in the troughs isn't exactly a pleasure, but there is no place that I would rather be on a summer afternoon than at Wrigley Field, with a cold Old Style in one hand and a slice of Connie's Pizza in the other.
Now that I have gone on my pro-Wrigley rant, let me say that Miller Park is an excellent park, and that Petco Park in San Diego is also a great place to watch a game. I also love the way that Chase Field in Phoenix kind of blends in with the urban setting that it's in. It has also revitalized the downtown area of that city. Overall a good article.
5 months ago
I have been to Safeco Field multiple times and I promise it has the best of everything. Weather, scenery, food, views, etc. The smell of the garlic fries flowing throughout is also a bonus.
And they have sushi, specifically the "Ichi-Rolls"
I also am a big man of Miller Park. Usually never crowded and the food and atmosphere around the park are great. I hate the Brewers, but when the fans are grilling outside on their mini grills, I can learn to live with them...
from 5 months ago
but now safeco has banned one of the most sacred things in all of the universe: Lesbians. Change your mind at all?
:)
5 months ago
I have to go with you on the Wrigley thing Tyler. You can't beat the ambiance of that stadium. The history that makes it so special is impeccable. I would have to have put Fenway up there though. I have been to Colorado and also love that park. The scenery is beautiful and who can pass up a baseball game in Denver right?
from 5 months ago
Fenway looks pretty kick ass. Many of the things that make me love Wrigley make people love Fenway as well. The only reason I didn't put it in my top 5 is because I am in love with the other stadiums on the list.
Top 5 is tough. Can't wait to be at Wrigley to watch the Cubs beat the Whitesox on June 20th!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
One thing that makes Fenway special is the fans. I won't lie, people from New England know how to be assholes. But when you're at a Sox game, it's like you're watching a game with 38,000 close friends. It's tough to explain; I've never experienced anything quite like it.
I think another thing that makes Fenway unique is the renovations. Seats have been added left and right (and on top of the Monster, which is the coolest seat in sports), and the interior has seen many face lifts. But at the same time, it still is (and feels like) an old ballpark.
5 months ago
Fenway has GOT to be on this list! So should Busch Stadium! It was just built. I think Yankee Stadium should be higher on the list, as well.
5 months ago
I'd definitely go with Wrigley, as I am a Cub fan. But I've been to 7 other parks, and I'd say I like Safeco the most. Just a great place to watch a game and a real comfortable atmosphere. Plus they've got great garlic fries.
5 months ago
I may be an Indians fan, but Progressive Field needs to be on any list. It was just named top ballpark by Sports Illustrated in a recent poll. I also love PNC park. I've been there a few times and hope to make another trip this summer. I was surprised AT&T was not on their list, it is a beauty as well.
SI's top 5:
1. Progressive Field Cleveland Indians
2. Miller Park Milwaukee Brewers
3. PNC Park Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Comerica Park Detroit Tigers
5. Busch Stadium St. Louis Cardinals
from 5 months ago
Their pole was based on things such as affordability and food quality. I went mainly off of scenery, tradition, fan atmsphere, etc....
I LOVE Progressive Field. Had the chance to make it to two games last year there. Great park. I'm pissed they changed the name from Jacobs Field. That sign off of I90 (the big green Jacobs Field sign) is a classic and should be in the hall of fame.
One question: Who plays at AT&T?
5 months ago
Figures SI put five parks built since '94.
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