A lot of my most cherished recollections as a youth concerned touring to see MLB ballparks throughout household holidays. Now as a baseball author one of many largest perks of my job is getting to take action for work every so often.
This yr I had the chance to examine two new ballparks off my checklist — Globe Life Discipline in Texas and Rogers Centre in Toronto — bringing me to 22 ballparks complete, together with three that at the moment are defunct.
In the future I hope to go to all of them, however as we look forward to the World Sequence enable me to take you all down reminiscence lane by rating the ballparks I’ve seen thus far. This checklist clearly doesn’t embrace the parks I haven’t been to but, that are Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles), Goal Discipline (Minnesota), New Busch Stadium (St. Louis), Progressive Discipline (Cleveland), Kauffman Stadium (Kansas Metropolis), Comerica Park (Detroit), American Household Discipline (Milwaukee), Nice American Ball Park (Cincinnati), Angel Stadium (Anaheim) and Chase Discipline (Arizona).
22. Oakland Coliseum
This place was a dump. I had the prospect to go to over April trip after I was in highschool, and let’s simply say it was a notable step down from seeing the Giants’ stunning park earlier within the week. Even in 2006 the large concrete monstrosity was long gone its expiration date, and the most important disgrace is that when the Coliseum was first constructed it had one of the stunning views in baseball searching throughout the close by Oakland Hills. However with “Mount Davis” blocking the view in heart subject, the one factor there was to see after I was there was tarp-covered seats within the higher deck.
21. Tropicana Discipline
My first and thus far solely expertise at Tropicana Discipline was near a best-case state of affairs. It was through the 2021 playoffs, so the sometimes sparse stands had been full of followers and the atmosphere below the dome was genuinely electrical. That clearly isn’t the way it sometimes goes there, so it was good to see what the place may very well be like at its full potential.
However even nonetheless, the Trop is bizarre. It appears to be like like a large spaceship landed in the midst of downtown St. Petersburg and the within is a mishmash of concrete and loud aquatic colours. It’s good that the Rays will get their outdated ballpark again subsequent season after spending 2025 caught within the Yankees’ spring coaching advanced, however the sooner the membership’s new possession group can get a brand new stadium constructed, the higher.
20. Fee Discipline
My household visited Chicago in April 2005, and looking back we couldn’t have picked a greater yr to see the White Sox, who’d go on to finish the franchise’s 88-year title drought. However the ballpark? Fully unremarkable.
Fee Discipline is completely serviceable however utterly lacks any distinguishing character that units the sport’s finest ballparks aside. There’s no memorable view, the structure is soulless, and 20 years later the factor I keep in mind most about my go to was the tasteless music and in-game presentation. It felt like being at an open- air NBA recreation.
19. Shea Stadium
I visited Shea Stadium in its last season in 2008, and whereas it was objectively a worse facility than Fee Discipline, it at the very least had some character. The house run apple in heart subject, the blue and orange seats, little touches like that may actually make a park stand out. There have been additionally a few locations within the park you can stroll and see an ideal view of the New York Metropolis skyline, and although it was a concrete cookie-cutter I keep in mind leaving with a very good impression.
18. Outdated Busch Stadium
This was the primary highway ballpark I ever visited and stays a core childhood reminiscence. I used to be eight years outdated and in the summertime of 1998 my father, whose firm was doing enterprise with a St. Louis-based agency on the time, took my household out to see the Cardinals through the top of Mark McGwire’s historic house run chase. For a child named Mac who performed Little League ball for the Cardinals, attending to see “Huge Mac” was an enormous deal.
Clearly McGwire’s file and that complete summer time didn’t age notably effectively, however seeing McGwire take Orel Hershiser deep within the backside of the primary — crusing over Barry Bonds’ head in left subject — was one thing I’ll always remember.
I don’t keep in mind a lot in regards to the ballpark particularly apart from considering it was cool they’d a “Huge Mac Land” part in left. The cover rounding the higher deck additionally stood in and out retrospect helped differentiate Outdated Busch from different cookie-cutters of its day, and the show of championships and retired numbers represented as pennants successfully conveyed the Cardinals’ lengthy and storied historical past.
17. Nationals Park
Nationals Park is boring. There isn’t actually something about it that stands out, apart from the get together part in heart subject. The view can also be nothing however condos and workplace buildings, although in equity to the Nationals a variety of these had been constructed after the ballpark and blocked what I perceive was an superior view of the U.S. Capitol. The park is simple to get to and has nice eating places within the surrounding neighborhood, so in the event you’re on the town it’s nonetheless price a go to.
16. loanDepot Park
Like Tropicana Discipline, I noticed the Marlins’ ballpark below the absolute best circumstances — a World Baseball Traditional recreation between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. It was an all-time environment, simply among the many craziest I’ve ever seen for any sporting occasion and much past something this facility sometimes experiences.
That mentioned, this ballpark isn’t good.
The retractable roof box-style ballpark is inherently restricted, and all three that I’ve visited are roughly the identical. loanDepot Park might be the blandest of the three, although it does slot in architecturally with the encompassing neighborhood and at the very least tried to strive one thing completely different from the retro parks of the 90s and 2000s. By the point I visited it had already been sanitized, with the unique garish colours and art work changed by toned-down blues. If they alter issues up once more the Marlins may need to attempt to discover a center floor to assist in giving this place some extra life.
15. Daikin Park
Previously often known as Minute Maid Park, the Astros house is functionally much like loanDepot solely with hundreds extra character. Houston’s outdated Union Station was constructed into the design and incorporates a working prepare in left subject, there’s a guide scoreboard below the Crawford Packing containers in left, and all around the park are little nods to Houston’s historical past and Texas tradition.
The one downside I’ve with this place is they need to open the roof extra. I used to be right here for the 2021 ALCS they usually saved the roof closed even when the climate was good exterior, little question to assist make for a louder, rowdier playoff environment. However after Sport 2 they opened up the roof, and even with no one left within the constructing it was hanging how a lot nicer it was.
14. Globe Life Discipline
The brand new house of the Texas Rangers is much like Daikin Park and loanDepot, solely larger. A lot, a lot larger. The concourses are broad and spacious, there are concessions and golf equipment all over the place inside and out of doors the ballpark, and the place even incorporates a speakeasy behind house plate. It’s undoubtedly not as aesthetic because the outdated Ballpark in Arlington throughout the road, however I think about it’s much more snug having the roof closed through the blazing summers.
One factor I observed with Globe Life and Daikin is each Texas parks spend a variety of time prompting followers to stand up and cheer. Globe Life even has cheerleaders. Positively a little bit of a tradition shock in comparison with Fenway, the place the followers are trusted to do their very own factor.
13. Yankee Stadium
I by no means bought to go to the outdated Yankee Stadium, however I’ve been to the brand new model a number of instances they usually definitely went the additional mile filling this place with tributes and callbacks to Yankee historical past. However the brand new stadium can also be sort of a Potemkin Village, with an enormous and imposing facade obscuring what’s in the end a monument to company energy and the almighty greenback. Additionally, the ballpark’s music and sound results are actually loud. Like, distractingly loud.
12. Citi Discipline
Citi Discipline is a large improve over Shea Stadium and will get a variety of issues proper. The outside facade is a pleasant tribute to Ebbets Discipline and there’s an enormous number of concessions and different facilities, particularly for youths. The principle two drawbacks aren’t actually the Mets’ fault both. One, this place is eye-wateringly costly, even by MLB requirements, however then once more so is all the things else in New York Metropolis. And two, the principle view in the event you’re sitting behind house plate is LaGuardia Airport, so the fixed wave of planes touchdown and taking off could be a bit distracting.
11. Rogers Centre
I lastly bought to examine this one off my checklist final month and it didn’t disappoint. Whereas the outside isn’t something to put in writing house about, they’ve put a ton of cash into the inside and it actually reveals. Followers will respect the brand new video board and facilities just like the WestJet membership in heart subject, however what actually stood out to me was the Blue Jays’ house clubhouse, which was by far the nicest I’ve seen in MLB thus far.
Additionally, whereas the ballpark is nice even with the roof closed, it’s spectacular with the roof open. The adjoining CN Tower looming over the primary final analysis is an incredible visible not like anything I’ve seen at an enormous league ballpark.
10. T-Cell Park
Often called Safeco Discipline after I visited with my household in 2003, the Seattle Mariners’ house was among the many nicest I’d ever seen as much as that time and from what I hear nonetheless holds up effectively. The ballpark threads the needle between having a retractable roof whereas nonetheless feeling like an genuine open-air facility, and as we’ve seen this postseason, T-Cell can produce some unbelievable crowd noise when it’s packed.
9. Residents Financial institution Park
This park is superior. Residents Financial institution completely nails the fashionable retro aesthetic and consists of some distinctly Philadelphia taste, like the house run bell and the genuine cheesesteaks. There’s additionally an ideal view of the Philly skyline out previous the middle subject stands and several other statues honoring former Phillies legends like Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt. I’ve nothing dangerous to say about it, and if in case you have an opportunity to go there for the 2026 All-Star Sport, I’d extremely suggest it.
8. Truist Park
Truist Park far exceeded my expectations after I visited with a pal again in 2024. The place is loaded with facilities and The Chophouse in proper subject is an unimaginable spot for followers. Plus, the entire seats are near the sector and the Monument Backyard show behind house plate is a cool stroll by the Braves historical past relationship again to their days in Boston. The Battery improvement adjoining to the ballpark was additionally pretty much as good as marketed, and it’s no shock each MLB membership needs its personal.
7. Coors Discipline
It says rather a lot about how nice Coors Discipline is that the Rockies had been in a position to attract practically 2.5 million followers this previous season regardless of fielding one of many worst groups in latest MLB historical past. Coors Discipline is an absolute gem, and even when Colorado’s altitude makes enjoying right here sort of funky, the stadium stays one of many sport’s finest even 30 years after its opening. Need nice views? Coors has it. Need stunning trendy retro structure? Coors has it. Need facilities and vibes? Coors has it. No journey to Denver could be full with out a cease right here, simply be sure you plan on visiting when an attention-grabbing opponent is on the town. Lord is aware of the Rockies themselves aren’t price watching.
6. Petco Park
I haven’t really gotten to see a recreation right here but, however I took a ballpark tour through the Winter Conferences a number of years again and beloved what I noticed. The Western Steel Provide Co. constructing being integrated into the ballpark is one in every of many good design touches, and the up to date structure is a refreshing distinction to the entire different trendy retro designs of its period. It’s additionally proper downtown within the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter and has good views of the encompassing San Diego skyline. I’d like to get again and see it with a full crowd, from all the things I hear it’s actually a top-notch ballpark expertise.
5. Camden Yards
Camden Yards has a compelling case for being one of the iconic and important ballparks in MLB historical past. It began the fashionable retro craze when it opened in 1992, and even after greater than three many years the Orioles’ house nonetheless stands out as an absolute gem. It’s just about flawless, and whereas different parks like Residents Financial institution and Coors have nailed it too, options just like the B&O Warehouse and Eutaw Avenue assist elevate the ballpark to a different tier.
4. Oracle Park
Just like Camden Yards, Oracle Park is an exceptional ballpark that has that little one thing further that units it aside. On this case it’s McCovey Cove. With the ability to watch a recreation and luxuriate in that view of the San Francisco bay simply past the precise subject wall is an expertise you may’t get wherever else. One different factor you gained’t get from watching on TV, the odor of freshly cooked garlic fries wafting all through the park.
3. PNC Park
This place guidelines. The view of the Pittsburgh skyline, the Allegheny River and the Roberto Clemente Bridge out past heart subject is, in my view, the most effective in baseball by an enormous margin, and the ballpark itself is ideal. The structure is distinctive and aesthetic, it’s straightforward to get to and the place is loaded with nice meals, drinks and nods to Pittsburgh. It’s a disgrace the Pirates haven’t been keen to take a position sufficient in its roster to subject a crew worthy of its beautiful house ballpark.
2. Wrigley Discipline
Whereas Camden Yards, Oracle and PNC all perfected the fashionable retro design, there’s no beating the true factor. Wrigley Discipline boasts an unparalleled baseball expertise, and the Cubs have executed an ideal job investing within the century-old ballpark to make sure it stays recent and vibrant for years to return. Overlaying a Pink Sox and Cubs sequence right here a few years in the past was a bucket checklist merchandise and I hope to make it again once more as quickly as doable.
1. Fenway Park
There’s no place like house. Whereas it’s at all times a deal with to go to a brand new park, Fenway is actually one in every of a sort.
