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Traveling across the United States to visit all MLB stadiums is a bucket list item for many avid baseball fans. Each city, team, and ballpark have its heritage and mystique, making this journey all the more special and fun. But what makes a great ballpark?
A great view of the game itself is a must, with the only exception being the charm of being seated behind a support beam at old stomping grounds like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Beyond that, the skyline as the backdrop is quite special in some parks, as is a location directly on the water (river or bay). Something about the juxtaposition of a home run ball landing in water just feels refreshing on a hot summer day.
Of course, the surrounding area can greatly enhance the pregame and postgame festivities and must be considered. Food and drink also play into the equation since unique local fare can make a ballgame even more enjoyable. Ben Ueberroth (@UeberMD) weighs all these factors to highlight the top 10 ballparks across MLB. Put these on your bucket list!
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Honorable Mentions
Coors Field (Colorado Rockies) – With numerous beers from Colorado breweries and the Rocky Mountains visible from the seats along the first base line, this is a beautiful place to watch a game, even if wins are few and far between for the home team.
Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals) – Amongst the numerous “traditional” ballparks on this list, Busch Stadium gets a mention for the view of the St. Louis Arch beyond the right-center field fence.
Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals) – A couple of decades ago, this could have had an argument as a top-five stadium. The unique outfield backdrop is instantly recognizable, but this stadium is otherwise a bit plain for the modern-day ballpark.
Target Field (Minnesota Twins) – It was between this and Comerica Park for the last spot on the list; pick your poison. Target Field represents a significant upgrade from the old Metrodome just from it being an outdoor venue alone. The Minneapolis skyline provides a nice backdrop, and the new facilities are a great setting for a summer ballgame.
10) Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers
Stadium Capacity: 41,083
2023 Home Record: 37-44
The Tigers’ ballpark falls under the heading of a “traditional” ballpark with the left-field jumbotron, center-field dead zone, and city backdrop. Many of the stellar craft breweries from the state of Michigan are on display around Comerica Park, and after the game, fans are just a few minutes walk from the best Coney Island hot dogs outside of Coney Island.
The decades-long debate rages on for the best Coney: the “newer” American Coney Island on the grungy charm of Lafayette Coney Island? Most professionals try both.
The Tigers cut a No. 24 with a crown in the outfield at Comerica Park for Miguel Cabrera’s final home-stand in Detroit 👑
📸 @tigers | #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/N1eXgIMmbh
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 26, 2023
The Tigers did a great job bringing some of the history over from old Tiger Stadium and every seat in the house has a great view of the game and the downtown Detroit skyline. Buy a cheap ticket, watch Tarik Skubal fire off a gem of an outing, and crush a few dogs before heading home. Detroit hustles harder.
9) T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
Stadium Capacity: 47,943
2023 Home Record: 45-36
Despite the frequent rain in Seattle, the Mariners managed to construct an awesome outdoor stadium with a retractable roof. Although the D-Backs attempted something similar to mitigate the desert heat, somehow T-Mobile Park feels “outside” whereas Chase Field very much feels indoors. It is an architectural gem in this regard; baseball is better outside.
Time-lapse of the roof closing at T-Mobile Park in Seattle pic.twitter.com/QOhnVZPkoL
— Ten Stadiums Ten Days ⚾️ (@StadiumsTen) January 28, 2022
Whether you are a local looking to hit downtown after the game or a visitor heading to Pike Place Market, the stadium’s central location makes for easy pregame or postgame festivities. The city backdrop in left field and proximity to the water make for an overall amazing vibe for a Mariners game -- before, during, and after.
8) Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium Capacity: 42,901
2023 Home Record: 49-32
Yet another “traditional” ballpark, “The Bank” excels particularly in food and drink. Make sure to have the crab fries (crinkle-cut fries with Old Bay seasoning on top) as the appetizer, followed by a Tony Luc’s cheesesteak for that Philly feel. Maybe mix in a soft pretzel for good measure. Do not forget to wash it all down with the best easy-drinking beer in the country from America’s oldest brewery -- Yuengling.
For the game itself, every seat in the house offers a stellar view of the field. As the 2023 playoffs demonstrated, this is one of the most rocking, loud, and supportive stadiums in MLB. The support for guys who started their careers elsewhere like J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos encapsulates the “brotherly love” of Philadelphia. Just ask Bryce Harper and the best mascot in baseball, the Phillie Phanatic.
7) Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium Capacity: 56,000
2023 Home Record: 53-28
While getting to and from Chavez Ravine can be an adventure, once baseball fans are there, the experience is unique and memorable. With most of the other California stadiums being very urban or on the water, Dodger Stadium brings that palm tree vibe of California like none other. The art deco scoreboard screens, constant sunshine, and Dodger blue make for an unforgettable experience.
6) PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium Capacity: 38,000
2023 Home Record: 39-42
The king of the “traditional” ballparks, the home of the swashbucklers has the best combination of cityscape and water features with Clemente Bridge traversing the Allegheny River in center and right field. Watch Andrew McCutchen recapture the glory days by putting a home run into the river, then walk across the bridge to a fun night in downtown P-Burgh just minutes away.
The view at PNC Park can’t be beat pic.twitter.com/wce2yFOvQ1
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) March 8, 2024
5) Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles
Stadium Capacity: 45,971
2023 Home Record: 49-32
Although it has aged a bit, Oriole Park is one of the most unique and charming venues in all of baseball. The B&O warehouse in right field -- the longest brick building in the eastern U.S. -- creates this feeling of being at an “event,” not just a baseball game.
Head out to right field between the stadium fence and the warehouse for Boog’s BBQ, one of the best sandwiches in all of baseball, and grab a Yuengling that took a short delivery truck drive down I-95 from its source brewery.
Boog’s BBQ coming to Spring Training https://t.co/Vjd25UFQFM pic.twitter.com/FcHOKudJ9C
— Maryland Sports Blog (@MDSportsblog) February 20, 2019
Before a night game or after a day game, make a short 20-minute walk over to the inner harbor to visit the best aquarium in the country (sorry Monterey Bay). The Maryland blue crabs taken fresh out of the Chesapeake Bay also provide a delicacy not available near any other ballpark.
4) Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox
Stadium Capacity: 37,755
2023 Home Record: 39-42
From here on out, these rankings could probably be shuffled into any permutation. The Green Monster is perhaps the most unique structural component of a playing field in all of sports, and sitting on top of it provides a view unlike any other, save maybe the rooftops around Wrigley. Sitting in the old-school seats makes it feel like anyone from Ted Williams to Nomar Garciaparra to Rafael Devers could trot out from the dugout at any time.
Walk down the street after a game to some high-end shopping and top-notch dining in Back Bay. Maybe watch "The Town" afterward to see Ben Affleck navigate the same hallways that have housed some of baseball’s legends as he heists the postgame proceeds. On a list of most historic ballparks, it is Wrigley and Fenway at one-two, with a steep drop-off thereafter.
3) Petco Park - San Diego Padres
Stadium Capacity: 42,445
2023 Home Record: 44-37
While many stadiums on this list have a great view of the city, Petco Park makes fans feel like they are part of the fabric of the city itself. Surrounded by the high-rises of downtown San Diego, Petco is immersed in the city.
Couple that with some great local craft brews available at the stadium, phenomenal tacos both inside and outside of the stadium, and a great view from any seat, and there is a recipe for a great baseball experience. Sitting inside the Western Metal Supply Co. building enhances the immersion even further.
Exploring Downtown San Diego isn't complete without a stop at Petco Park! ⚾️🏟️ #WCUDF24 pic.twitter.com/mZcjH1TS3r
— Int'l Downtown Assoc (@IntlDwtnAssoc) February 29, 2024
In the background is 300+ days of sunshine with 70-degree weather more days than not, and a short walk to the bay. Downtown San Diego offers a great place to go out after a game, and the street food vendors that are set up just outside the stadium are a great opportunity to fill up between the game and a night on the town. Follow your stadium tacos with a hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with fajita veggies cooked on the spot.
2) Oracle Park - San Francisco Giants
Stadium Capacity: 42,300
2023 Home Record: 45-36
Any baseball fan in the 2000s has watched multiple home run balls splash into McCovey Cove as Barry Bonds was chasing and breaking the single-season home run record. The endless kayaks filled with fans listening to the game on their headsets provided a certain charm that has yet to be recaptured in pursuit of any baseball record. Watch a few innings from the seats, but the real spectacle comes from a lap around the ballpark, particularly the stop in right field to look out at the bay.
It’s McCovey Cove.
🚣♀️ 🚣♂️🚣♂️
🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
🐠 🐟
🐟
🐠 🐠
⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️ pic.twitter.com/hp8pQwZ6zW— SFGiants (@SFGiants) February 6, 2020
Nestling Oracle Park (and Chase Center) right next to downtown San Francisco is quite a feat with the cost of real estate in the Bay Area, but doing so provides an awesome experience at the ballgame followed by a short walk from all that SF has to offer -- both downtown and waterfront. This is one of the most unique places to watch a game, and thereby one of the most fun.
1) Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
Stadium Capacity: 41,649
2023 Home Record: 45-36
It had to be this or Fenway at No. 1 strictly for history’s sake. While Fenway has the Green Monster, Wrigley has a few features that also stand out. The bleacher seating in the outfield is inevitably punctuated by an ever-growing snake of empty beer cups, often taking the focus off the game itself in the most fun way possible.
The seats on top of the buildings just beyond the outfield fence provide one of the most unique vantage points in all of baseball. The style of architecture and layout of the seats provides one of the most intimate vibes in all of baseball.
Couple that with the surrounding area of Wrigleyville, and this just cannot be beat on a beautiful summer day. Stop at any number of surrounding watering holes before or after the game to mingle with the Wrigley faithful. Maybe hit a few balls yourself at the local bar/batting cage joint just outside the main gates.
Rumor has it Anthony Rizzo may have been spotted at one of these bars with the World Series trophy in hand in 2016. There is no place more “baseball” than Wrigley Field.
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