Oh, the places you’ll go. The sport of baseball is a game that will forever be intertwined into the American identity. “America’s Pastime” is something that is always present in the dominant American culture. Whether it would be playing the game in the backyard, to parents getting the opportunity to coach their own, or simply having a night out at one of the 30 MLB stadiums scattered across this great country.
The sport of baseball is a great medium to catch up with loved ones while rooting for the home team as said in Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Personally, the sport of baseball has had a huge impact on my life growing up. There was a time where I spent countless hours around the game. From my own playing days from tee-ball, all the way up to the 8th grade. To also, being dragged to countless of my older brother’s baseball games from high school, all the way up to his final out of his college career at LIU-Brooklyn. However, I keep finding myself coming back to the game that encompassed my youth.
This summer, I reached the feat of stepping foot in my twelfth Major League ballpark when I took a trip with some of my fraternity brothers to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Out of the twelve, here are my top three favorite baseball stadiums that I have seen along the way.
#3 Petco Park
Location: San Diego, CA
Capacity: 42,567
Opened: April 2004
Beautiful Petco Park cracks the list at #3 on my list. Despite the Padres missing the postseason for the MLB high 14th season in 2019, they truly have one of the most breathtaking stadiums in sports. Located right in the heart of the Gaslamp District in San Diego, it has a panoramic view of the city’s landscape. Also, located in the left-field is the legendary Western Metal Supply Co. building.
Legend has it, when Petco Park was being built, they saw scrutiny from the local community. Including SOHO, the Save Our Heritage Organization to preserve the building surrounding the park. As a result, they were able to turn the 100+-year old building into luxury suites for the Friar Faithful. Other features of the park include the Tony Gwynn Plaza right beyond the center-field fence. For game days, fans have the opportunity to sit on the lawn in center field and get a chance to watch the game from the lawn. The plaza is dedicated to the man they call “Mr. Padre”, the 19-year veteran who is arguably known as the best player to ever wear the Padres logo.
#2 Wrigley Field
Location: Chicago, Il
Capacity: 41,619
Opened: 1914
The Northside of Chicago is where the Cubs have been calling home for over 100 plus MLB seasons. However, similar to the Padres, they also have not had a ton of success in the ivy-wrapped Wrigley. Despite being around for 105 baseball seasons, they have only seen the Cubbies win the National League Central only 5 times (2003,2007,2008,2016, and 2017) and only World Series victory (2016).
The grounds they call the “Friendly Confines” has been around since the times of WWI has gone under several renovations since the building’s inception.
The most recent renovations, which took place in 2019 added extra support to the foundation of the stadium. The most unique feature the friendly confines offer is the rooftop seating. In adjacent apartment buildings across the street, they placed several rows of stadium seating which provides the fan with a birds-eye view of the field located in left-center field. Despite the rooftop seating, nothing is better than being inside the ballpark and feeling the history the building has to offer firsthand. According to Simplemost Wrigley Field has an average of 4.7 out of 5 from Google Reviews. The history, the pride, and the place the Cubs call home is what makes Wrigley Field immortal and a must-see baseball destination.
#1 Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Capacity: 56,000
Opened: 1962
Another one of the older stadiums that Major League Baseball has to offer, Dodger Stadium is another one of baseball’s great venues and in my opinion, the best I have ever seen. Dodger Stadium is located in the neighborhood of Chavez Ravine in Solano Canyon. With that, it was a very scenic drive up the mountain to the park’s gate.
Dodger Stadium has a beautiful view of the mountains wrapping around the outfield wall. It has become the permanent home of the Dodgers since its move from Brooklyn in the late ‘60s. Dodger Stadium also offers bleacher seating in the outfield to provide a more social approach to the ballpark. As a result, It gives fans the freedom to be intertwined with one another while enjoying their Dodger baseball.
The Dodgers have had many great people and memories pass through this very stadium. Greats like Sandy Kofax, Fernando Valenzuela, and Clayton Kershaw have called this great establishment home.
While up in the radio booth, radio announcer Vin Scully called Dodger Stadium home for over 66 Dodger seasons and as a result of his dedication to the Dodger blue, the organization renamed the street the stadium is located on to Vin Scully Way. Dodger Stadium is getting more modernized with a renovation that will be taking place after the 2019 season, and also has adapted to the times in having designated pick up and drop off locations for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, making the commute to the stadium an easy and simple one.
One might look at this list and think, why is there no east stadiums featured? With stadiums such as Yankee Stadium, or even the legendary Fenway Park residing on America’s east coast it might come as a surprise that no local stadiums have made my list. My answer to that is that despite the tradition that resides in those stadiums, my experiences at these stadiums outperform the likes of Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park due to the great backdrops that reside in these parks, and also the inclusion of technology that these stadiums provide. I suggest not being shy and taking a road trip to one of these stadiums. You’ll be in awe over the amazing atmosphere these great venues provide. It’ll bring you back to those childhood memories when you see the beautiful blades of green grass and the diamond that ties together generations of MLB fans.
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