Major League Ballparks, Oldest to Newest
Lately I’ve been thinking about how nice it would be to go on a cross-country tour of each of the Major League ballparks in North America. I’ve been to four MLB parks in my life, only one of which, Fenway Park, still exists (RIP: Seattle Kingdome, Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, and New York’s Shea Stadium.)
Then I got to thinking about how many new stadiums have been built over the past 15 years or so, and that led me to consider ranking every MLB park from oldest to newest. What would that list look like?
Well, here it is:
1) Fenway Park, Boston – 1912
2) Wrigley Field, Chicago – 1914
3) Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles – 1962
4) Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim – 1966
4) The Coliseum, Oakland – 1966
6) Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO – 1973
7) Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario – 1989
8) Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg – 1990
9) U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago (South Side) – 1991
10) Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore – 1992
11) Progressive Field, Cleveland – 1994
11) Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX – 1994
13) Coors Field, Denver – 1995
14) Turner Field, Atlanta – 1996
15) Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ – 1998
16) Safeco Field, Seattle, WA – 1999
17) AT&T Park, San Francisco – 2000
17) Comerica Park, Detroit – 2000
17) Minute Maid Park, Houston – 2000
20) Miller Park, Milwaukee – 2001
20) PNC Park, Pittsburgh – 2001
22) Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati – 2003
23) Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia – 2004
23) Petco Park, San Diego, 2004
25) Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO – 2006
26) Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. – 2008
27) Citi Field, (Queens) New York – 2009
27) Yankee Stadium, (Bronx) New York – 2009
29) Target Field, Minneapolis, MN – 2010
30) Marlins Park, Miami, FL – 2012
Only two stadiums, the Rogers Centre in Toronto and Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg (which, as you’ll notice, were built just a year apart, and are each in the A.L. East), still use artificial turf.
Fourteen ballparks, representing 47% of all the parks in MLB, have been built since the year 2000.
Camden Yards in Baltimore, at one time the showpiece of the return to the “retro” ballparks, is now the tenth oldest park in America.
No ballparks built in the 1920′s, ’30′s, 40′s, or ’50′s are still in existence, and only one each from the ’70′s and ’80′s are still in use today.
Since 1999, the only teams to have won a World Series after moving into a new stadium are the Giants and the Cardinals (twice each), the Phillies (won in 2008), and the Yankees (won in 2009.) It’s interesting to note that the Cardinals and the Yankees each won the World Series in their first year in their new parks. Also, the Tigers have been to two World Series since 2000, but lost them both.
Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles is capable of holding the most fans (56,000.)
Tropicana Field can hold the fewest (34,000.) There are currently seven ballparks that are designed to seat fewer than 40,000 people. including three that have been built since the year 2000.
If you are currently at least 50 years old, all but two of the ballparks currently in use have been built in your lifetime.
I guess I need to do some traveling. Which parks have you been to? Which ones do you like the most? Which ones would you like to finally see for the first time?
Always happy to hear from you.
I’ve been to the Kingdome, Safeco, Coors, and Wrigley. Wrigley probably my favorite, you can smell the BBQ from the rooftop seats!! I’d really like to see Fenway before it goes
Hi Bryan, I would love to see Wrigley someday. I wouldn’t mind seeing Safeco as well. Fenway is definitely worth a visit, but watch out for the obstructed view seats. They suck.
Cheers,
Bill
This is a great article! One of the reasons I love baseball so much is the history and in particular that history of it’s stadiums. When I was real young I had a Sporting News cartoon book depicting all the stadiums old and new. If anyone remembers these cartoons they typically depicted the baseball greats that played in that stadium and some of the highlights as sometimes comical images. When I was in my 20′s I had a great opportunity to visit a bunch of stadiums on several road trips. I have to admit I was never a big fan of the “cookie cutter”stadiums such as Veterans Stadium in Philidelphis or Riverfront in Cincinnati which I visited before being demolished. The newer stadiums are such an improvement beginning with Camden Yards. Now that I am thinking about it I have probably been to a dozen ballparks. I was fortunate to visit the old Tiger Stadium and was really sadened to see it was torn down recently. The city of Detroit just could not justify keeping it in their ever shrinking city. Like all hardcore fans I would have liked to visit Ebbits Field. Maybe someday I will go and pay tribute to the former location in Broooklyn. Going way way back….. and if anyone cares… one old site is getting a face lift in Cleveland. League Park’s field where the Indians used to play is one of the few places where the field and a small portion of the righ field facade and old ticket office are still intact. The City actaully has plans to cleanup the site and build some stands! A small victory for us historians but at least it is an area that you can still walk the grass and imagine Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Shoeless Joe roaming the outfield (unlike the site of the old Commisky Park that is now a parking lot). Well anyways, enough of the past. I really felt Wrigley Field is definately worth the visit and meets the hype. I’ve been to Fenway many many times….. I hate to say it as I am a lifelong Red Sox fan but not a great place to watch a game unless you are lucky enough to get a $200.00 box seat. I really liked Camden Yards. On my wish list is the Park in Pittsburg. Great article… thanks for the memories!
Dan! So great to hear from you, man. I remember when you went on some of those road-trips back in the early ’90′s (holy cripe, 20 years ago!)
Yeah, I’m jealous of all the great old parks you visited. As you can see from the list, there just aren’t that many really old parks left. Perhaps someday you and I can go on a tour, after our boys have left the nest.
Thanks for checking in, Dan.
P.S. Ed Sprague for Dave Nilsson!
Bill
One of the goals on my bucket list is to visit the 5 oldest baseball parks. I’m almost there! I have been to Oakland Col, Fenway (twice!) Wrigley, and am planning on seeing the Giants @ LA in September, and hopefully sneak an Angels game in there (schedule permitting). I’m going to see the Giants @ San Diego’s Petco Park in April for my birthday. I saw the old Yankee Stadium from the outside and was raised going to see my Giants at Candlestick and now AT&T (formerly PacBell Park). My grandpa went to Seals stadium as well as Candlestick and AT&T! I’m going to start traveling a lot more to see the Giants on the road =)
Well, with a couple of exceptions, the “old” ballparks just aren’t that old anymore. So many of them have been torn down over the past 15-20 years. Tigers Stadium, the old Comiskey, old Yankee Stadium, etc. Your goal sounds very cool to me. I’d certainly like to see those places, too!
Thanks, Bill
That’s why I figure I best see these stadiums before they get replaced by newer ones!
Reblogged this on The Real McTeag and commented:
William Miller is a great sports writer. This brief interesting piece will help get you through until pitchers and catchers report! Kudos William!
Thanks very much for reblogging this! Much appreciated.
Bill
One of the other comments reminded me that I have actually been to four ballparks. The three mentioned above, and I did visit the Astrodome back in 1967. I believe the Astros played the Mets. (Hard to remember exactly, I was pretty young.) Heck, I might have even seen Nolan Ryan. Who knows?
Always appreciate the memories!
Thanks, Bill
Another great post. for me the count of ballparks is slightly longer Astrodome when it was still new, recall very little outside being stunned you could play baseball indoors. Shea 1, Shea 2 (citifield) Yankee Stadium 1, Yankee stadium 2 (not crazy about that one, Steinbrenner field, The Metrodome in Mn (disgusting, stank like an old gym, and the Trop. The trop is about the only dome that still felt like a ballpark, amybe cause they are great fans. I also was in the old Montreal Stadium before they cut the roof off, and rogers center but not for games
Well, that’s quite a variety of ballparks you’ve been to. So you don’t much care for the new Yankee Stadium, huh? To be honest, I haven’t heard all that much about it as an actual venue to catch a game. The Astrodome back in the day must have been quite an experience to catch a game. Were those the Cesar Cedeno / Jose Cruz, Sr. days? That’s about how far back I go.
Thanks for sharing, and, of course, for reading.
Bill
iwas just a kid at astrodome and mesmerized by what was then probably the most advanced scoreboard ever. kinda misguidely racist too. When an Atro hit a home run they had an LED light animation of a bunch of indians running for their lives from a posse of cowboys firing their guns. Considering what cleveland and Atlanta had to do to tone down their uni’s i can only imagine how this would go over today! think they played the Mets actually. Yankee stadium 2 is a travesty. Its a great place to see the game but its NOT YANKEE STADIUM! it also features a sickening mall around the perimiter of the inside of the stadium. Did have “new ballpark smell” though, lol! Metrodome was by far the worst but not bad fan waise. In a meaningless august game vs the KC Royals in 97 they still had like 25k there. In that town though minor league ball is King. You can’t GET a St Paul Saints Ticket!
Wow, a town where minor league ball is king, where they also have an MLB franchise? Pretty unusual.
Cheers, Bill
Let’s see….Shea, the old Yankee Stadium (I caught Opening Day in ’80–as Bill James once wrote, going to ball games in the 80s could be like trips to Sodom and Gomorrah. Worst in-game experience of my life), Riverfront, Exhibition Stadium in Toronto (at least the weather was nice–I can’t imagine watching any sport in that ballpark), and all three ballparks in Pittsburgh (I just snuck under the wire at Forbes Field– I was there on the final weekend.) I’d love to see a game at Pac Bell; I’ve only been to San Francisco once since it opened, and they were on the road at the time.
I remember there being lots of fights in the stands during the late ’70′s and into the ’80′s. I saw at least half a dozen brawls at Shea Stadium. I got to Three Rivers in its last season of existence. Would love to see the new Pirates park, if not the Pirates. I, too, would love to get to Pac Bell.
Thanks for sharing the memories,
Bill
Here’s my list
1. O.co Coliseum is my home park so it’s #1 on the list.
2. AT& T Park
3. Angel Stadium
4. Busch Stadium
5. Chase Field
6. Comerica Park
7. Dodger Stadium
8. Kauffman Stadium
9. Miller Park
10.PETCO Park
11. Safeco Field
12. Turner Field
13. U.S. Cellular Field
14. Wrigley Field
15. Old Yankee Stadium
I’ve also been to a few minor league parks – Sacramento Rivercats (A’s Minor League), Round Rock, TX ( Rangers), Memphis Red Birds (Cardinals).
With Houston coming to the AL West this year, I’ll be doing the Texas 2-step – Rangers/Astros, thus adding 2 more to the list.
This was fun. I can’t wait for opening day.
Thanks
Wow, Jacqueline, You’ve been to all these parks? You’ve blown me out of the water! And with the Astros going to the A.L. West, the A’s should have another team to beat up on as well. Good time to be an A’s fan.
Great list, and thanks for sharing (and for being such a loyal follower of this blog.)
Take care, Bill
Hi Bill, Thanks. You have such awesome topics. Your posts remind me why I love baseball.
Yes, it is a great time to be an A’s fans. In spite of what people say about the Coliseum and the park being empty for games. There are thousands of loyal A’s fans in the Bay Area. The last 2 1/2 weeks of the 2012 season was magical!
My husband and I are huge baseball fans, so we usually make sure we travel during baseball season. Using the opportunity to visit the ballpark if we are in or close to that city. In 2006 we did our first ballpark tour. Kansas City, (I was there for work), from there we flew to Chicago, saw a White Sox Game that night. Next morning, drove to Milwaukee to see the Cardinals play the Brewers that night. Next morning drove back to Chicago. Had a great weekend. Monday morning drove to Detroit saw the Tigers that same evening, then Tuesday morning back to Chicago, saw the Cubs that night and headed out of town the next Day. We also use inter-league play to follow the Athletics and see other ballparks. While on that trip we were surprised at how many other fans who were doing the same trip!
This year will be more difficult as Inter-League games are spread across the calendar. Not possible to do 2 NL cities on one trip.
Fans have been great in all these parks and it is essential to do a ballpark tour while you’re there.
Keep the topics coming.
Well, you certainly do more traveling than I’ve done in many years. Sounds like you’ve been having a lot of fun. If you ever get down Greenville, SC way, let me know in advance and I’ll take you and your husband down to a Greenville Drive game.
Take care, and thanks again,
Bill
Wow! So many new ballbarks–I hadn’t realized. But then, some I think of as new (Camden Yards) are old enough to drink.
Stadiums built in the 1970s and 1980s tried so hard to be state-of-the art that they were quickly dated. I think the trend toward a classic ballpark look will weather better.
You were at the Kingdome? That must’ve been on your 1994 trip out West–and before the strike.
I’ve been to Dodger Stadium, Candlestick Park (but not the new one), the Oakland Colosseum, the Kingdome, Safeco Field, Coors Field, Kaufman Stadium and Fenway. I’ve also been to Busch Stadium, but didn’t see a game.
It does amaze me too that Camden Yards, which I still think of as a “newer” park, is now the tenth oldest in existence. I was actually at the Kingdome for the second home game of the season in 1993. It was Chris Bosio vs. the Blue Jay’s Al Leiter. How could anyone forget a match-up like that? Got to see Griffey, Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, and the Jay’s Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. I don’t even remember who won the game.
Yeah, those cookie-cutter parks didn’t age too well, and when they quickly faded away, they took acres of artificial turf with them, thank God.
I also remember when the Rockies were brand new, and their park drew well over 3 million fans per year for a few years.
Thanks for sharing, my man.
Bill
In Bosio’s defense, two weeks and a day after you saw him pitch, he threw the M’s second no-hitter.
Actually, I remember that quite well, because he was on my fantasy baseball squad that year, only I had him on the bench when he tossed that no-no. So it goes…
Cheers, Bill
P.S. Al Leiter was a pretty good pitcher, too.
Safeco Field looks nice, and has a very nice setting-you can look out on Puget Sound and the sunset from the west-facing concourses-but the game atmosphere is lacking. Fans don’t get excited watching a Mariners game. I went to a Fenway game a couple years ago, thought it had too much of a tourist destination feeling. I wonder which park generates the most excitement/tension these days. Maybe St. Louis.
That’s a great point about tension / excitement. When I go to the local minor league park here in Greenville (which really is a very nice park), few of the fans even seem to be paying attention to the game. And all the constant noise and pointless sound effects don’t exactly create an environment where the game can seem like much more than one, nine-inning long advertisement for various local businesses. Still, I usually have a nice time.
Thanks again, Bill
Hi Bill,
I’ve been to the Old Yankee Stadium and Shea. While that is nothing impressive, I take pride in saying I’ve seen MLB ball in two different countries. I took a trip once to see the Mets play the Montreal Expos in Montreal. Rather interesting watching baseball with a French twist. Needless to say, and please don’t be offended, but all us Yankee fans that made the trip were cheering for the Expos.
I consider myself a traditionalist so I would like to see Fenway and Wrigley.
Nice post.
Vince
Hi Vince, That sounds like a great trip. I would love to have seen the Expos up in Montreal. No offense taken. You would love Fenway. It’s definitely unique.
Cheers,
Bill
I’ve been to Fenway Park, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and the old Arlington Stadium, in use when the Rangers came to Texas in 1972. I had no idea that the Juice Box was smaller than Fenway! Oh…sorry. That’s what I call Tropicana Field.
The Juice Box? I love it! I hear the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is a nice place to see a game. Certainly a great hitter’s park.
Thanks for sharing,
Bill
Yeah, Rangers Ballpark is pretty nice. I wish it had a roof, though. It gets really hot in Texas in July and August.
I imagine they don’t play too many day games during those months.
Not a whole lot, but it’s frequently still over 100 at game time.
The new Target Field in Minneapolis is wonderful. I highly recommend it. I have also heard of people making these trips around the country. My tip is to tell the team you are visiting that you are doing such a trip, they may have a nice gift bag for you
That’s an interesting idea. I wonder what would be in the gift bag? I’d certainly love to see Target Field. I’ll have to put in on my wish list.
Thanks for sharing the tip!
Bill
Busch Stadium II & III…
…Camden Yards…
…Safeco Field…
…And Kauffman Stadium.
I’ve Also Been To Both Chicago Stadiums (U.S. Cell & Wrigley) But Haven’t Actually Seen A Game In Either Of Them, YET.
And While I’m Loyal To My Busch Stadium Experiences, I Had The Best Seats EVER When I Went To Kauffman. KC Is Very Near To My Heart, Fo SHO.
-B.
Hi Brad, That’s a nice variety of ballparks to have been to. Safeco looks very cool, with the train going by. I was surprised that Kaufmann is as old as it is. I always liked the way it looked on T.V. Does it still have the fountains beyond the outfield fence? Camden Yards and Wrigley Field are a must for a future visit as well.
Take care, man.
Bill
If you are currently at least 50 years old, all but two of the ballparks currently in use have been built in your lifetime.
Hooray for me, being over 50 is great.
I’ve been to old Yankee Stadium, old Busch, Shea Stadium, Fenway, Vet Stadium, Citizens Bank Stadium.
I really have to get to Wrigley Field.
Kevin
I turn 50 this year. When I saw the year Dodgers Stadium was built (just about a year before I was born), I realized that either I am now officially old, or the parks (except for Wrigley and Fenway) are all brand spanking new.
I do regret never having gone to the old Yankee Stadium, but the South Bronx always scared me. Queens was bad enough.
Take care, Bill
Been to the “Metrodome” in Minneapolis, and a trip to Chicago with my boys to see the “New Comiskey” Park and Wrigley Field…..Have not yet made it to Target Field, but one of these days I’ll make it….. Wrigley Field is like visiting Field of Dreams…..I remember buying my boys sweatshirts when it was almost 65 degrees out because it was so cold in the shade….when we left, there were some leaking water pipes in the concourse below….Comiskey Park seemed huge, and we saw the “shower” in left center field that they had removed from the OLD Comiskey……so cool……. and lots of different kinds of food there also…..
John, Thanks so much for the reply. I’d certainly love to go to Wrigley Field. And I wish I could have visited the old Comiskey Park. Incidentally, the statue of Shoeless Joe Jackson they have here in Greenville, SC has, as its base, bricks from the original Comiskey Park. I’ve heard that Target Field is beautiful as well. We are certainly living in a Golden Age for ballparks.
Take care,
Bill
I made such a trip 20 years ago. Now with all the new ballparks built since then- I have been to 17 current ones. I have been to 34 old and current ballparks.
Now that’s what I’m talking about. My piddly little road trip of 15 years ago included four minor league park, and two MLB parks. Thanks for sharing, man.
Bill
I have been to Fenway as I live in Boston, US Cellular field, been by the old tigers stadium before it got knocked down, though I have not been in it. Been to Camden Yards. sweet park! and the Nationals home ball park is truly awesome but HUGE! You can fit 3 Fenways in it! LOL
Hi, I’ve been to Fenway around half a dozen times. It is the only park still in existence that I’ve visited. I would love to see Camden Yards, and the Nats new park as well, especially now that the Nats look like an excellent young team. I appreciate the comment!
Thanks, Bill
SF(both Candlestick/PacBell), OAK, LAA(both as Rams stadium and new), SD (both Murph and the Dog Kennel-Petco), Astros (Dome and MinuteMaid), Wrigley(once as a kid, dragged against my will), White Sox-REAL CHICAGO (Comiskey and New Comiskey -See what I did there!), Brewers (Old County Stadium not new), Tigers (Comerica), Twins-Metrodome, not Target, Cleveland (Progressive), St. Louis (New Busch),
Man, You’ve been all over the place. I’m very jealous. I gotta get out more often.
Bill