The boys of summer are back. And with them comes every baseball fan’s urge to soak in the sun in one of the many beautiful ballparks around the continent (couldn’t leave you out, Toronto). With temperatures rising, summer vacation approaching, and unused PTO sitting and waiting to be burned, it’s the perfect time to plan a stadium tour. Baseball stadiums are undoubtedly the crown jewel of American sports venues: the expansive green grass, quirky outfields, skylines, and geographical landmarks are just parts of what make these American sports cathedrals magnificent and charming.
Not all ballparks are created equal, however: some need to be renovated, some should be burned, and some will go down in history as great American landmarks. Let’s put these parks in their place.
30. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays
Let’s just get this one out of the way. The worst place on earth to play any sport.
29. RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland Athletics
There’s a reason that there has been talk of moving the A’s out of Oakland. They play baseball in a football stadium that is no longer home to a football team.
28. Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays
Slightly better than Oakland and Tampa simply because there’s a view of the CN Tower from the 3rd-base line. Everything else about it is forgettable. Points for having a completely symmetrical outfield?
27. American Family Field, Milwaukee Brewers
You’ll notice a trend: retractable roofs and indoor stadiums will suffer on this list. Formerly known as Miller Park, this ballpark looks more like a corporate building. Not much to write home about. The best part is probably the left-field slide that Bernie Brewer slides down after a Brewers home run.
26. LoanDepot Park, Miami Marlins
What is the statue thing in left-center field? It’s cool and big, but this stadium looks like it was built to be a Miami hangout spot rather than a place to watch baseball.
25. Globe Life Field, Texas Rangers
They built a stadium with a retractable roof and artificial turf in Arlington because it got so damn hot in the summer time that it was borderline dangerous to play and watch baseball in the Texas sun. At that point it’s probably just time to move the team.
24. Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros
Don’t be fooled by the team’s recent success as a measuring stick for the ballpark’s charm. The train tracks in left field are cute. But from the Chick-fil-a signs on the foul poles, indoor-feel (even with the roof open), and train-depot aesthetic, it’s just kinda meh.
23. Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers
It’s the 8th wonder of the world that Miguel Cabrera hit 500 home runs while playing primarily in this massive ballpark. The view is subpar, unless you like industrial buildings; and the cars out in center field are a little awkward. As if they need to remind you that you’re in the Motor City.
22. Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks
It has a beautiful feel to it, despite its stuffy, indoor nature. The contrasted, striped grass is fresh, and it has the perfect antidote to that desert sun: the right-center field pool.
21. Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago White Sox
It’s an average ballpark with nothing special about it. A fine place for a ball game. I have always wondered what those candy cane things are out in center field.
20. Nationals Park, Washington Nationals
Any place that is home to a recent World Champion and also sits in the nation’s capital is going to get some love. Unlike some of the new-age parks built in the last few years, the Nationals didn’t try and do too much when they built this beauty in 2008. Simple and sweet.
19. Progressive Field, Cleveland Guardians
A solid place to play ball, although it is in need of renovation.The wall in left field is trying to be the Green Monster, but the trees in center are a nice touch.
18. Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati Reds
Catch a game here on a sun-soaked afternoon and you won’t be disappointed. The view of the Ohio River and Newport, KY hills are breath-taking. A calm, peaceful place to watch a pitiful team.
17. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Phillies
The coniferous trees behind the short wall in center field next to the zig-zagging tall wall in left-center, the right-center field bell, and the distant skyline provide real charm.
16. T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners
The best of all the retractable-roof parks by far, this venue is the only hybrid stadium that truly has an outdoor feel. The grass just seems greener than most (probably because all it does is rain in the Pacific Northwest). The only downside is how much magenta is plaguing the architecture since the T-Mobile rebranding.
Stay tuned for the top 15.
What would your rankings be? Comment below!
Skol Twins! Better be #1!
-An unbiased
Solid review Will, and I look forward to the top 15. I have been to many ballparks throughout the years, including several that don't exist anymore, including Olympic stadium ( Expos I loved it, like being in a living room), Veterans Stadium (Phils too many Philly fans), the old Comiskey (White Sox, it had a certain charm) and Shea ( as an avowed Met fan I knew it was horrible. Reminicent of a Soviet era project). Citifield is, of course, an improvement, but they missed a chance to have a view of the Manhattan skyline. The fact that the surrounding neighborhood is mostly chop-shops and decrepit warehouses does not add any charm.
I am sure near the top of your…