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, California – 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.
The On Deck Circle 
I’m not as well traveled as most of the people posting, but I’ve seen a few places. My first was a TwiNight double header at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and I got to see my baseball idol, Roberto Clemente play. My next experience was, again in Pittsburgh, at Three Rivers stadium in 1972, and again seeing Roberto play, even if it was his last year. Then, I watched the Denver Bears and, later, the Denver Zephyrs, play at Mile High Stadium. Then, in 1993, I watched the Colorado Rockies play their 2nd home game ever at Mile High. Then they built Coors Field and I was there for the home opener. Since then I’ve been to Jack Murphy once. I watched the Memphis Red Birds once in their stadium and driven past Wrigley and Comisky and seen Kaufman field when I went to Arrowhead to watch the Broncos and Chiefs play. And I have toured the BOB in Phoenix when my son graduated trade school there.
Thanks for your contribution, Ron. I envy you that you got to see Roberto Clemente play. That must have been amazing.
Cheers, Bill
I attended my first baseball game in 1957. My father and I sat in the left field bleachers in the first Busch Stadium. Tickets were 75 cents. There was a little known outfielder playing for Pittsburgh. About 50 feet from our seats. He pounded the Cardinals that night. None other than Roberto Clemente.
Nice story. Must have been fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
I love this post and oh how I wish my list were longer, but at least the ones I’ve been to are really great. My husband’s and my first date was on August 24, 1978 and where did we go? To see the Chicago White Sox play the Kansas City Royals (Sox 4-1) at old Comiskey Park. After we were married we revisited Comiskey many times, including the summer of 1990. We also spent many happy hours at Wrigley Field. We visited Tiger Stadium in the ’90s, and in 2011 we had the great joy of attending a game at Yankee Stadium. In July of 2017 we plan to be at SunTrust Park when the Braves play the Cubs. In the late summer or early fall, we hope to make our way to Baltimore and Boston, to add Camden Yards and Fenway to our list.
My first major league ball park was Turner Field in 1999. 17yrs old and I was completely blown away! I grew up in Richmond, VA so going to The Diamond for the AAA Richmond Braves was nearly a weekly treat. Going to minor league to major league, I was speechless! I will never forget it!
Just last year I got to visit Oriole Park to see my #1 team Detroit play against my #4 team Baltimore… Once again, blown away! Such a beautiful park and I hope to get back again next year.
I have been to all of them. Best overall experience is PNC in Pittsburgh. Honorable mention to Houston. My heart still lies with Shea Stadium.
Hi,
As a life-long Dodger fan, I’ve been to many a game at Dodger Stadium since my first in July 1971 (Don Sutton vs Nolan Ryan). Since then and in order I’ve been to:
Anaheim Stadium – 1971
Old Arlington Stadium – 1976
Candlestick Park – 1983 (a four-game sweep of the Dodgers, oh well)
Memorial Stadium (Baltimore) – 1988 (record for most consecutive losses to start a season)
The Ballpark at Arlington -1996 (saw the Rangers hang 20+ runs on the Orioles, and set a record for the longest 9-inning AL game) – great place to watch a game
Toronto Skydome (now the Rodgers Centre) – 1999 – no return to seat during an at bat…(hockey?)
Oakland Coliseum (I believe it had a corporate name then) 2000 — Billy Ball and seagulls at sunset…
Pacbell (now AT&T) Park 2001 (saw the king of the juicers set the single season home run record*), still, an interesting park
Camden Yards – 2003 (as a Maryland transplant, have been there many times since)…beautiful park, set the standard for “retro classic”
Fenway – 2004, it was cool to experience a baseball icon but honestly, except that they’re close to the field, seats are cramped and oddly cantered, lots of obstructions, and it’s stupid expensive to catch a game there
RFK Stadium – 2008 (temporary home of the Expos, er, Nationals) cavernous stadium for baseball
Nationals Park – 2010
Progressive Field (Cleveland, formerly Jacobs I think) 2013, nice park, great fans.
Great America Ball Park – (Cincinnati) 2014, another nice park with great fans (and I was wearing a Dodger jersey)
Still many more to see!
Thanks so much for sharing!
-Bill
Been to many games in Turner Field and Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, one at the old Cincinnati ballpark, several at Camden Yards and a couple as a kid at Baltimore’s old place, one at the new Busch Stadium and the highlight (which can never be topped) was seeing games at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park within five days of each other in 2015. I had actually been to Wrigley before, but Fenway ranks as the best ever as a lifelong Red Sox fan. One more highlight was seeing Bo Jackson play at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. Still the oldest surviving professional ballpark in America, the Barons play one game there every year just to keep the old gem alive and well.
Been to many games in Turner Field and Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, one at the old Cincinnati ballpark, several at Camden Yards and a couple as a kid at Baltimore’s old place, one at the new Busch Stadium and the highlight (which can never be topped) was seeing games at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park within five days of each other in 2015. I had actually been to Wrigley before, but Fenway ranks as the best ever as a lifelong Red Sox fan.
Hi Tim,
No question that Fenway is a unique and fantastic experience, even for a Mets fan like myself. Gotta get to Wrigley someday, and Camden as well. Thanks very much for adding to this thread, and thanks for reading.
-Bill
I’ve been to both Atlanta stadiums (the old one before they tore it down and the newer one), been to both of the Cincinnati stadiums, San Franisco, Anaheim, Dodgers, Camden Yards, Wrigley, PNC in Pittsburgh. And I’m looking forward to making at least 3-4 more parks in 2016. Thank you for compiling the list!
And thank you for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us 🙂
-Bill
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My wife doesn’t allow me to play past my neighborhood very often. However, I have been able to take in Busch Stadium (1966-2005 one) many times. Been to new Busch once; this past July. Got to see a game at Kauffman in KC around 1983 and Wrigley in the 90’s. Since I now live in the Milwaukee area, I’ve been to Miller Park a few times; mostly to see the Cardinals.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve only been out to the mid-west once, and that was just to Columbus, OH. I’d love to someday take in the ballparks you’ve visited. A Cardinals-Brewers game at Miller Park sounds like a good time.
Cheers, Bill
I just visited Fenway yesterday for the first time. It is number 24 on my quest to see them all. Six of the ones I’ve been to are now closed so, I have 12 to go. As a San Francisco Giants fan, I love AT&T having been there six or so times. And even though the Dodgers are our arch rivals, I love that old stadium in Chavez Ravine. It is a wonderful place to watch a game. Next for me will have to be Wrigley so will try to get to Miller Park and Detroit at the same time, knocking four more out. That, though, will have to wait until another season.
So, what did you think of Fenway?
Here’s a little bit of cool ball park info.. the site of old league park in Cleveland has been given a re-berth .. a new park has been created along with some of the original structure of the brick walls of league park still stands. The new field is made to the exact dimensions of the original park. The field surface is a synthetic turf, where youth baseball is played now. Also on the site is a baseball heritage museum that celebrates the rich baseball history in Cleveland and all the legends that once walked those very grounds. It’s a must see for any baseball historian. After that, catch a game at progressive field maybe
Dan, Thanks very much for that information. I’d like to get up there someday!
-Bill
No problem.. and if you do visit Cleveland , make sure you try the ball park mustard.. it is a spicy brown mustard often referred to as stadium mustard, made here only in Cleveland. I’d suggest stopping in a local grocery store here and grabbing a bottle of your own to take home. Bertman original ball park mustard, with mascot chief wahoo on the label of course
You are obviously the go-to guy for all things Cleveland!
Thanks again,
Bill
How about an entry on the old, retired stadiums/fields (since Wrigley and Fenway are the only survivors from the old days). Forbes Field, Briggs Stadium, Crosley(?) from the 1950s 60s (pre Chavez Ravine and all the multi purpose atrocities).
Hi Charles, I’ll give it some thought. I was always partial to Crosley Field, personally. Shibe Park, too.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Bill
Just watched game 5 of the ALDS between Seattle and New York on ESPN Classic. I was too young to see that game (born in 92) but I had seen “The Double.” Was crazy to watch the whole game. What a team the M’s had back then. Wow. I went to the Kingdome a few times. Wish it was still around. The Tacoma Dome down the road reminds me a lot of it!
Wow, you were born in ’92? I think that makes me 308 years old. Yeah, it was a great game. I watched it through, and it was just such a fun game. And yes, that was one fun Mariners team. So much personality. I may have mentioned this before, but I saw Chris Bosio vs. Al Leiter at the Kingdome on the second home game for the Mariners in ’93 (vs. the Blue Jays.) It was an interesting experience seeing baseball played indoors like that.
Thanks for adding to this discussion.
Bill
Hearing the voice of the late great broadcasting HOF’er David Neihaus (sp?) was sad. That’s a voice missed here in the PNW. Going to my first regular season game at O.Co on Saturday; A’s vs Twins. Posted back in April (below) all the stadiums I’ve been to.
Yes, thanks for reminding me of your previous post. I grew up listening to Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner of the Mets. They were quite a colorful group.
Cheers, Bill
I’ve been to Fenway and Wrigley and I live in Los Angeles. Been to a few others too, but I don’t really need to see the new ones. Wish the old ones were still around.
Hi, Thanks very much for sharing. I appreciate you taking the time to read, and to respond.
-Bill
Nicely done. As a Nats Season Ticket Holder, I am shocked at how high you scored NatsPark. Why the high marks? No architectural features, 2 parking garages with advertizing on them, a scoreboard that shows no replays, no ambiance around the stadium, and some of the worst food in mlb. Curious as why it scored so high.
Thanks so much for hopping on board, Stephen. This thread has been fun for me to follow.
Ballparks today are so contrived. The configurations of yesteryear were often very functional. A common example would be odd dimensions to fit a cramped city area. Trying to reproduce that just seems a little silly. If I built a park today, then I would at least add some measure of unique. I might, for example, make a perfectly square outfield instead of a rounded outfield wall.
I don’t even go to major league parks today because of the unnecessary security. Your chances of getting killed by a terrorist are one in 25 million, but the paranoia reigns. An anal probe at the park in addition to the doctor’s office? No thanks, Major League Baseball.
I’m glad I saw many of the great parks before they started the paranoid silliness: Wrigley, The real Comiskey, The real Tiger Stadium, Cleveland Municipal, The real Yankee Stadium, Fenway, etc. I have seen the modern parks and some are very nice (e.g., Camden), but I would not make long treks to see them.
I now generally go to minor league parks where it’s more laid back. I am currently asking the Friends of Rickwood if MLB has discussed holding a game there. I really doubt it because of logistics, financial planning, and other reasons. I always thought however, that it would be a great promotion for ESPN.
Anyway, enough of my curmudgeon ranting! Great site and comments. Thanks.
Bob, Your thoughts somewhat match my own. I spend much more time in Minor League parks than in MLB parks. It’s a great idea to see if MLB would hold an actual game at Rickwood! Thanks again,
Bill
TOP TO BOTTOM – BY OVERALL SCORE
TEAM STADIUM NAME OVERALL SCORE
Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park 9.75
Miami Marlins Marlins Park 9
San Francisco Giants AT&T Park 9
Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 8.75
Detroit Tigers 2 Comerica Park 8.75
Detroit Tigers 1 Tigers Stadium 8.5
Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 8.5
San Diego Padres Petco Park 8.5
Seattle Mariners Safeco Field 8.5
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium 8.5
Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park 8.25
Minnesota Twins Target Field 8.25
Houston Astros Minute Maid Park 8
Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium 8
Washington Nationals 2 Nationals Park 8
Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards 7.75
New York Mets 2 Citi Field 7.5
Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre 7.25
Colorado Rockies Coors Field 7.25
Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field 7.25
New York Yankees 2 Yankee Stadium 7.25
New York Yankees 1 Yankee Stadium 7
Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park 7
Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field 7
Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark 7
Anaheim Angels Angels Stadium 6.75
Chicago White Sox US Cellular Field 6.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 6.25
Cleveland Indians Jacobs Field 6
Atlanta Braves Turner Field 6
Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field 5.75
New York Mets 1 Shea Stadium 5.25
Oakland A’s The Coliseum 5
Washington Nationals 1 RFK Stadium 4.5
Wow, David, That’s a lot of work you put into this. Yeah, Shea was not that great, but it remains special to me because it’s the first place I ever saw a pro baseball game. PNC, Safeco and Camden Yards would be the first three parks I’d go to that I haven’t already seen, given the chance.
Thanks for the contribution,
-Bill
Born in Los Angeles ..went to LA Coliseum ’61 Dodgers then many games at Dodger Stadium, lots of Angel Stadium games, afew S.D. Jack Murphy games (have not visited Petco yet), visited Chase Field in AZ few times for Dodgers and Angels games ..also ’01 W.S. Game seven vs. Yankees. Seen the A’s while visiting Safeco, visited the Oakland Coliseum not been inside, visited the Metrodome saw the Angels, been to the Astrodome. Walked all around Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
Sorry to take so long to get back to you, Don, but thanks for the comment.
Cheers, Bill
I completed the tour in 2012 (started in 2003) but felt the need to go back and visit some of the new stadiums that had been built since I first saw them, i.e. Mets, Yanks, and Nats. I just saw the Nats game on Saturday which gets me up to date on all 30 active ballparks! Let me know if I can provide any opinions or advice!
Hi David, You are always welcome to share your thoughts about the ballparks you have visited. We don’t stand on ceremony around here, so fire away whenever you feel like sharing!
Thanks very much,
-Bill
Alright, thanks Bill! I’ve compiled my list of ranking the stadiums 1-30 but before I share that I’m going to do a little further analysis to make sure I’m not just making biased or gut opinions. I’ll be following back in the coming days here!
Sounds great, David. I’m looking forward to seeing your list.
-Bill
Alright Bill, I have finished my list. Apologies for the delay but I wanted to make sure I had it dialed in before I just threw it out there.
I have given each ballpark a “Stadium Score” and an “Experience Score”. I then took the average of the two scores and created an “Overall Score”. It’s worth noting that I’m originally from the Detroit area (GO TIGERS!) but also spent 6 years in San Diego (GO PADRES, sorta!) Here’s how it all played out from my perspective.
TOP TO BOTTOM – BY STADIUM SCORE
TEAM STADIUM NAME STADIUM SCORE
Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park 10
San Francisco Giants AT&T Park 9.5
Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 8.5
Detroit Tigers 2 Comerica Park 8.5
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium 8.5
Minnesota Twins Target Field 8.5
Miami Marlins Marlins Park 8
San Diego Padres Petco Park 8
Seattle Mariners Safeco Field 8
Wash. Nationals 2 Nationals Park 8
Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards 8
Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 7.5
Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park 7.5
Houston Astros Minute Maid Park 7.5
Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium 7.5
New York Yankees 2 Yankee Stadium 7.5
Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark 7.5
Detroit Tigers 1 Tigers Stadium 7
New York Mets 2 Citi Field 7
Colorado Rockies Coors Field 7
Texas Rangers Ameriquest Field 7
Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park 7
Ariz. Diamondbacks Chase Field 7
Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre 6.5
Anaheim Angels Angels Stadium 6.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 6
Cleveland Indians Jacobs Field 6
Atlanta Braves Turner Field 6
New York Yankees 1 Yankee Stadium 5.5
Chicago White Sox US Cellular Field 5
New York Mets 1 Shea Stadium 5
Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field 4.5
Wash. Nationals 1 RFK Stadium 3.5
Oakland A’s The Coliseum 3
I’ve been to 19 stadiums. I’ve toured more than I’ve seen games at but still counting them. The only stadium I’ve been to that no longer exist is the old Kingdome. I’m a huge Braves fan so I usually plan my vacations around when they’ll be in a city that I’d like to see. (X = Haven’t been to)
1) Fenway Park, Boston – Toured
2) Wrigley Field, Chicago – Toured
3) Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles – X
4) Angel Stadium of Anaheim, California – X
4) The Coliseum, Oakland – 1 Spring Training game (vs Giants)
6) Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO – Toured
7) Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario – X
8) Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg – X
9) U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago (South Side) – Toured
10) Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore – 1 game (vs Yankees)
11) Progressive Field, Cleveland – X
11) Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TX – X
13) Coors Field, Denver – 1 game (vs Braves)
14) Turner Field, Atlanta – X
15) Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ – 1 game (vs Marlins)
16) Safeco Field, Seattle, WA – A lot of games. 10+
17) AT&T Park, San Francisco – 1 Spring training game (vs Athletics)
17) Comerica Park, Detroit – X
17) Minute Maid Park, Houston – X
20) Miller Park, Milwaukee – Toured
20) PNC Park, Pittsburgh – X
22) Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati – 1 game (vs Cardinals)
23) Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia – 1 game (vs Braves)
23) Petco Park, San Diego – 1 game (vs D-Backs)
25) Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO – Toured
26) Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. – 1 game (vs Braves)
27) Citi Field, (Queens) New York – Toured
27) Yankee Stadium, (Bronx) New York – 1 game (vs Red Sox)
29) Target Field, Minneapolis, MN – X
30) Marlins Park, Miami, FL – 1 game (vs Braves)
Ty, Thanks for adding your impressive list to all the others. I think PNC Park might be the one I’d like to see most, of those I haven’t already seen. And if you’re going all the way to The Bronx, you’re right to catch them playing the Red Sox. Always a raucous time during those games.
Thanks again,
-Bill
Bill,
Thanks for the reply. Of the ballparks I haven’t seen yet I’d like to see Turner Field for obvious reasons. Huge Braves fan and the stadium is closing after next season. Trying to plan a trip to Atlanta right now. Otherwise Dodger Stadium also. Random fact: My grandpa was a season ticket holder for the one season at Sicks Stadium. Home of the Seattle Pilots before they moved to become the Milwaukie Brewers. A team that most people forget was the first MLB team in Seattle.
You’re welcome. I remember when Turner Field was brand new. Doesn’t seem that long ago, now they want to build yet another new facility. Cool bit of trivia about your grandpa! I’ll bet there aren’t a whole lot of people who could make that claim regarding those season tickets. Braves always find a way to stay competitive, even with significant roster turnover.
Thanks again,
Bill
Agreed! The new facility is out of the city a ways I am told. The built Turner Field for the Olympics so it’s not that old. It’s only 3 years older than Safeco and I couldn’t imagine them tearing Safeco down. Going to an M’s game on Tuesday actually. I was dumbfounded when the Braves traded the Upton Brothers and Kimbrel but I think they’ll be okay.
Stadiums and number of games:
1. Shea Stadium (179)
2. Yankee Stadium (14)
3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards (4)
4. Veterans Stadium (3)
5. Rogers Centre (1)
6. Progressive Field (1)
7. 3 Rivers Stadium (1)
8. Angel Stadium (1)
9. Dodger Stadium (1)
10. Qualcomm Stadium (1)
11. AT&T Park (1)
12. Oakland Coliseum (1)
13. Olympic Stadium- Montréal (2)
14. Citizens Bank Park (5)
15. RFK Stadium (1)
16. Fenway Park (2)
17. Wrigley Field (2)
18. Nationals Park (1)
19. Citi Field (39)
20. New Yankee Stadium (1)
21. PNC Park (3)
28 years old. Going to Tropicana Field in August.
Hello Fellow Mets fan. Very impressive. I’m going to a minor league ballpark this weekend for the fourteenth time since I’ve moved down to Greenville. Not even going to try to catch up with your ballpark history.
Thanks for the comment,
Bill
Came across this article when I saw something saying Coors Field was the third oldest in the National League, seems crazy since it’s only 20. I’m turning 19 this week but fortunate enough to have been to many parks in my day Fenway (over 15 times; including 2013 WS) Yankee Stadium (old & new), Citi Field, Camden Yards, Tropicana Field, U.S Cellular, Wrigley, dodger stadium, Angels stadium, Turner Field, Nationals Park,AT&T park, PNC park,citizens bank park, Petco Park,Busch Stadium. And ones not in play anymore: Shea Stadium and the Marlins old park
Wow, you’ve seen an awful lot of ballparks for a 19-year old. I’m jealous, man! Yeah, many of the “new” ballparks are not so new anymore. If you’re as old as I am, it seems like they were just built a few years ago, not 15-20 years ago.
Thanks for the comment,
-Bill
Yes, it’s hard to believe that The Skydome is over 25 years old, likewise for Camden Yards and “New” Comisky. In fact, Comisky had the misfortune, as I recall, of being built just prior to the retro theme taking hold. As with Yankee Stadium 20 years later, they tried to recreate the old park as much as possible.
As for visits to parks that no longer exist, I saw several Braves games, including the ’92 NLCS Game 2 at Fulton-County. And on a summer trip to Indiana from NC, my brother-in-law and I pit-stopped in Cincy at Riverfront while GABP was being built. Also, I saw an early season game at old Yankee Stadium in ’98, while the tabs were still calling for “Clueless Joe’s” scalp. Little did anyone know that team was going to turn out to be historic with 125 wins overall.
As for current stadiums, I’ve visited Camden, new Yankee Stadium, Wrigley, Turner Field. Chase Field (Arizona), Shea, Kaufmann (pre-renovation)… and the Skydome — on my honeymoon! Wow, I didn’t even realize how many I had visited until I just made that list.
Oh and my wife’s parents were born and raised in Cooperstown, NY. So there have been several trips to HOF over the years. Not bad for lifelong North Carolinian!
Hello, You’re in-laws were born and raised in Cooperstown? Game. Set. Match, right there. That’s awesome. I’ve only been to Cooperstown twice, and not since ’94 (of all years.) Very impressive list, and thanks very much for sharing. I guess I’m just down the road from you, here in the Up-State of Greenville County, SC.
-Cheers, Bill
Yea, when we first met, and she told me this — and told me that her grandmother still lived there, I immediately started planning our road trip., My first “pilgrimage” came just three months later, Thanksgiving ’95. Until then, it really had just been a pipe dream.
Oh, then I found out that her parents lived in Florida, near Tampa. So the “other” rite of passage came the following spring, when we visited her parents, and I got to go to Spring Training. Both trips have been repeated a few times through the years, including the HOF induction ceremony for Ryan-Yount-Brett!
And yes, I’m right up I-85, in Greensboro, NC. Howdy, neighbor!
That’s the life, man. Spring Training and the HOF. Can’t ask for more than that. You married well, my friend.
Take care,
-Bill
Two months later, I realized a mistake in my post. I never did visit Shea. Rather I visited Citi Field a couple of years ago when we were in NYC visiting family. I wasn’t particularly interested in the Mets, but had to “check it off the bucket list.” Not a bad place, but felt a little sterile. Did quite have the character of a Camden. The upper deck, where we set, seemed to be awfully steep. But there’s certainly worse places to see a MLB game.
You shall be forgiven, but just this once! 🙂
Thanks again, Bill
What about Tiger Stadium? I realize it no longer stands, but it was originally built in 1912 (as Navin Field) and opened the same day as Fenway Park.
Hi, It is too bad it no longer exists, otherwise it would have made a nice addition to this list.
Thanks for the comment,
Bill
Just ran across this because I was looking for this very information, e.g. how many “old” stadiums (pre-Toronto) were left. I thought the answer was “5”, but it’s worth noting that I was counting Kaufmann as “major renovation”. So it’s not technically new, but was significantly overhauled enough to count that way, IMHO.
Chris, Thanks for stopping by to take a look, and thanks for pointing that out.
Much appreciated,
Bill
Great article. Thanks. Hard to believe that Dodger Stadium is the 3rd oldest park. i was there in ’83 and have also been to Fenway (4 times), Camden, Coors, Progressive (when it was Jacobs Field) and Chase (the BOB) all once. Stadiums that no longer exist I’ve been to include Ebbets Field and Polo Grounds (once each, both with the Cub Scouts), old Yankee (many times), Shea maybe a half dozen and Jarry Park and Comisky Park once.
Hi Bob, Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the article. You certainly have been to many of the old classic parks. Wish I had been able to get to Ebbets way back when.
Thanks again,
Bill
I am a little late to the conversation 🙂 but I ran across this looking to see how many fields I can take my kids to visit that my grandfather played at. Sadly not many:( I live in SF and we have only been to our local stadiums.( I guess I should have some appreciation to have seen the Giants play at Candlestick before AT&T was built.) I want to make it a family tradition to visit at least one stadium per year and I thought that we could start with the fields that have some tie to our family. This list definitely made that a little easier 🙂
Thanks!
I’ve been on a quest for all the stadiums for years, my list totals 37 with a good number of those no longer around. Only three cities remain. As I age, I find that the rhythms and rituals in our lives contribute great meaning to our Life. Stadium venturing has played that role for me. Thank you MLB.
Well said, Tom. I do envy how much you’ve been able to see and experience. My own list is much shorter, but there’s still time….
Thanks very much,
Bill
Came across blog after visiting Camden Yards for 1st time tonight and realizing it is 20+ years old. Wanted to mention that Camden is a must see and looks amazing for being “old” for Baseball standards. And I have been to 10 ballparks after visiting Dodger Stadium & Camden Yards for 1st time this Year. Great blog.
Thanks very much, Brian. I’ve never been to Camden Yards, but I’ve always wanted to check it out. With the Orioles getting to the playoffs this season, their park will get some more publicity for the first time in a long time.
I appreciate the kind words,
Thanks again, Bill
Should Rickwood Field be on your list? It doesn’t cater to any MLB teams, but it is still in use for baseball games, and is the oldest surviving baseball park in the world!
Not on this particular list, but I believe I wrote about Rickwood in my post about the last surviving Negro League ballparks. Definitely worth a mention, though. I’m planning on going down to Rickwood next spring. It’s about time I got out from behind this keyboard.
Thanks,
Bill
I’ve been to 29 in total, but only 7 of these. Did a roadtrip of all stadiums in ’84 and, living near Toronto, have been to the Sky Dome (now Rogers Centre) since. Feels like it’s time for a road trip 🙂
Wow, that’s great! So you got to see lots of old classic parks no longer in existence. It’s amazing how many new ballparks were built in just a few years about a decade ago. Thanks for checking in.
-Bill
I’ve been to PNC Park, Camden Yards, Nationals Park, Progressive Field, Comerica Park, Tropicana Field, Marlins Park, and the Rogers Centre. Next month I’m heading to Philly for a game.
Sean, thanks for being part of this conversation. For some reason, I’ve never managed to get to Camden Yards. It’s definitely at or near the top of my list.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving the comment,
Bill
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I’m late to the game too. Great blog. My husband and I have a goal to visit every ballpark. So far we’ve been to two together. We’ve four on the books this summer, Wrigley,US Cellular, Comerica and Miller.
Last year we went to the Coliseum… Too bad the giants were out of town. We can’t wait to visit Fenway!!
Thanks again for the great read!
Hi, Never too late to leave a comment! I need to do a lot more traveling to ballparks myself. Actually, I seem to be getting to more minor league stadiums these days than anything else.
Glad you enjoy the blog, and thanks for stopping by,
-Bill
Interesting blog. Watching the Cardinal game(one team the whole family agrees on in sports!). They are playing KC and the announcers were doing a quiz on the top 5 oldest stadiums/field. They said KC was the 6th. So husband google it and found your blog. It is on my bucket list to go to baseball stadiums. The only sport I like is baseball. I have been to 15 stadiums (more than my husband and my boys. LOL). Been to games in all stadiums except three. I was quite upset the year of the strike. My regional salesman had tickets for us at Camden and we were going to go the a game but the strike came, so we only got to go see the stadium. In La one year and no game that day, but got to see that stadium. In Washington on vacation and we by the Nationals stadium, did not have time to go to game. The rest of the 13 I actually have been to games. Wrigley (2); Kauffman (4+ or so); Rangers ball parkpark (both old and new 4+); Coors field (1); Safeco field (1); At&t (1); Houston (old – astrodome 10+); San Diego (old 1); Busch (both old and new, 20+. Next year going to Fenway for a tour on a trip tour with school. Still have lots to go!
Kim, Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blog. Been on vacation, so sorry for the delay in replying to you. I haven’t been to nearly as many stadiums as you have. Now that my boys are older, I think it’s time to get in the car and visit more of these ballparks. Glad you found my post to be useful.
Thanks again for reading, and for the comment,
Bill
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Thanks again for linking my post to your blog. Much appreciated.
-Bill
My pleasure – thanks for the great info! I did get to Angels Stadium last weekend. The game was a blowout by the Rangers, but we saw some fireworks when the Angels hit homeruns, and also got to see our first on-field replay, which ended up reversing a call! A little excitement… 🙂
Sounds like a good time. I’m going to a minor league game here in Greenville, SC tomorrow. Not quite the same, but minor league ball can often be quite exciting, too. Very nice ballpark for a single-A team as well.
Thanks again,
Bill
I’m a little late to the party, but I came across your post when I was looking for, well, exactly this, to use as part of a bucket list post… I’ll get to that in a few. 🙂
I guess I’m extremely fortunate – and spoiled – to have been to enough games at Fenway that I’ve lost count. My first memory includes a punch-out bottomed popcorn cup that could be used as a megaphone (I was about 6 or 7 at the time). Other great memories include concerts on the field (NKOTB, what can I say… I’m a girl, and an 80s child!), seeing ‘The Sand Lot’ with my son, and most recently attending the World Series Game 1. Fenway is my Happy Place. Heck, we even have a commemorative 100-year Brick. The vibe there is like no other. Which makes every other ballpark somehow seem ‘less than’, even though they are all special in their own way.
I have also been to Dodger Stadium several times… 3 in a row last summer when the Sox were in town. I kept calling it DodgerTown, though, because they used to train in Vero Beach. There is something special about the older parks – maybe it’s the nostalgia factor. I went to CamelBack for a tour in February, and it’s very high-tech and lovely, but it’s not the same.
Funny side note: “Nomah” was my son’s first word, and he finally got to meet #5 at a Dodgers Spring Training Game in 2006 or 2007.
But I digress…
Next weekend I will go to Angels Stadium, and I hope to get to Wrigley during its 100th Anniversary year. We also have friends in Northern CA, so I will get to The Oakland Coliseum within the next 2 seasons as well.
It’s sad that there are only 5 parks older than me. Kansas City is close, but I’m still a year ahead of it. Maybe I’ll revise my Bucket List from seeing all of the parks older than me, to seeing all of the parks built before I graduated High School (Tropicana Field… been there, too — I’m going to start calling it The Juice Box thanks to your creative reader!) or before I graduated College (that still only gets me to Arlington…). Sigh.
As for the others, I’ve also been to Camden Yards, which I still consider “new”, since it was only about 2-3 years old the first time I went, and AT&T Park in San Francisco. I’ve walked by Citi Field, but really would rather have gone to Shea. And as much of a Sox fan as I am, I wish I had seen the old Yankee stadium.
Looks like I have some more traveling to do, too…
Well, it certainly sounds like you’ve done your fair share of traveling around and seeing ballparks. I’ve been to Fenway Park around five times. The first time was in ’79, Fred Lynn’s “other” great season with the Red Sox. They lost 9-1 to Cleveland. Funny you should say you “walked around” CitiField. That’s what most Mets fans do these days. Attendance is in steady decline. It’s cool that your son’s first word was Nomah! It’s also cool that his mom is a big-time baseball fan.
Thanks for stopping by,
Bill
Hello. I noticed in your list you forgot to include one of the most historic stadiums built in the world, and that has revolutionized the game of sports forever. That stadium being built from 1963-1965 and opening in 1965 is the Houston Astrodome. That is a really big one you forgot. Just letting you know
#savethedome!
Hi Nick, It’s a list of the 30 ballparks currently in use today. Otherwise, the list would have been a whole lot longer, and would have included Ebbet’s Field, Shibe Park, etc.
Thanks for reading,
Bill
Great article, my bad, (still in existance)
No problem, Brian. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a look. Thanks for reading,
Bill
A bit of a shameless plug, but my buddy and I have put together this poster businesss on the side, and our AL/NL sampler posters (just released today) seem like something you might be interested in.
Great post.
Reading all this subjects me to an attack of severe nostalgia. When I first became a baseball fan, there was a grand total of 16 teams in two leagues. 8 and 8. Period, full stop. The stadiums they played in are nearly all history. Polo Grounds, Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Connie Mack Stadium, Ebbets Field, Sportsman’s Park . . . and the brand spanking new stadium I loved as a kid is now the 3rd oldest in the land. Oh my.
Hi David, That’s one of the charms, or the problems, with baseball. It so often invokes nostalgia, and makes some of us (certainly me), feel really old sometimes.
Thanks for reading, and for the comment,
Bill
I’d like to go to ANY ballpark where the focus is on what we paid to see, which is BASEBALL, not blaring rock music or rap music or tiny clips of “coming up to bat music” that makes me like the player at bat less because I know that they have no taste in “music”. We go to the ballpark for baseball. We don’t need the distracting stuff. We don’t need things on the scoreboard telling us when to yell louder, when to shout “Let’s Go Mets” (it used to be spontaneous, started by the fans itself, usually by one or two, and it was magical; it would catch on through an individual section and spread through the ballpark. Or it WOULDN’T, which was just as fun, where you or your friends would yell “Let’s Go Mets” and it didn’t catch on and you just felt embarrassed. An analogy of that is the embarrassment in the way that Johnny Carson used to embarrass himself in his monologue that no one would laugh at, and he would go on to self-deprecating humor, explaining the joke, and it generally got more laughs than the original joke, itself.) Baseball fans (at least Mets fans) used to be able to laugh at themselves, but now they don’t have the opportunity to do that, much less THINK FOR THEMSELVES, because they have gotten so used to being inundated with blaring invitations to yell “Lets Go Mets” or to clap their hands, as if they were in Kindergarten. (“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!”)
It’s condescending. It’s an insult to the fan. They THINK that they’re going to attract younger fans who have attention deficit disorder; well, I HAVE been tested for attention deficit disorder and the test showed that I DO have it, yet I hate this condescending crap at the ballpark. Even the minor league ballparks (such as NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, where we used to take my sister’s kids) has, in the past two years, put in a big “jumbotron” with silly pictures that distract people from the game, plus “coming to bat” music, which sounds absurd. My then-seven year old nephew was noticeably distracted when we went to the Binghamton Mets game two seasons ago, whereas in other seasons, he was able to concentrate. So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Is the stadium catering to a supposed increase in attention deficit disorder, or is it actually CAUSING it????
In my opinion, LESS IS MORE. Baseball is a pastoral game; stadiums used to be like cathedrals. Now, they’re like freak venues.
Glen
By the way, they don’t seem to do it in St. Louis, I’ve noticed that last night. They don’t do it at Wrigley. That’s because they respect the fans’ intelligence.
Here’s something that you might be interested in to show how nice baseball can be when FANS provide the sound effects, not electronics.
You certainly raise some good points, Glen. There is far more noise at ballparks today than there needs to be, and it does take away a lot from the games.
Thanks for the comment,
Bill
I live near Boston and I’m a die hard Red Sox fan and I’ve been to Fenway so many times. It’s amazing. 101 years old and still standing.
There’ll never be another one like it. Remember several years ago when they were going to build a new Fenway Park. Luckily, it never got off the drawing board.
Thanks for stopping by,
Bill
That IS amazing. I’ve got to hand it to you. What’s your secret? Clean living?
Glen
I thought the Angels got a new stadium. You have them from 1966…
Nope. They’ve changed the name of the park a couple of times, and they’ve done some basic renovations, but it’s basically the same park that they’ve always played in.
Thanks for reading,
Bill
Here’s a list of ballparks I’ve been to in my young history in no particular order:
Ones I’ve seen at least one ballgame:
-Chase Field (Many Times – Current Home Park)
-Turner Field (7 times including 2000 ASG and most recently Chipper Jones #10 jersey retirement)
-Wrigley Field (5 times – dad took me to my 1st ballgame here in the mid 80’s) -Comiskey 1 (Once in the mid to late 80’s White Sox vs. Red Sox)
-US Cellular Field (4 times last being August 1997 White Sox vs Mariners)
-Jacobs Field (Once in May 2007 Indians (C.C.) vs. Tigers (Verlander))
-Coors Field (Twice last being August 2008)
-Minute Maid Park (Approx 100 times; last time being Jeff Bagwell #5 jersey retirement August 2007)
-Kauffman Stadium (3 times last being May 2012 D-Backs vs Royals)
-Angel Stadium (3 times back to back June 2012 D-Backs vs Angels)
-Dodger Stadium (3 times last being Sept 2008 D-Backs vs. Dodgers)
-Sun Life Stadium (Once on Opening Day 1999 Mets vs. Marlins)
-Marlins Park (Once April 2012 D-Backs vs. Marlins)
-County Stadium (Once August 1997 Angels vs. Brewers – Rickey Henderson’s Angel Debut)
-Miller Park (Once this past April 2013 D-Backs vs. Brewers – All-Star Jean Segura’s 1st MLB Home Run)
-Target Field (Once July 2010 Mariners vs. Twins – bought ticket to this game assuming Ken Griffey Jr. would still be active which did not happen)
-Citi Field (Once July 2009 D-Backs vs. Mets)
-Citizens Bank Park (Once August 2004 Giants vs. Phillies – JT Snow hit 3 Home Runs and Barry Bonds hit his 1st CBP Home Run (assuming it still counts LOL!!!!)
-PNC Park (3 times; last being June 2008 D-Backs vs. Pirates
-Busch Stadium (Twice last being July 2009 – 1st game played after they hosted ASG as Pujols slammed 2 Home Runs that night)
-Jack Murphy Stadium (3 times; last being Sept 2003 Giants vs Padres)
-Petco Park (at least 10 times; last being last month June 2013 D-Backs vs Padres)
-at&t Park (3 times; last time D-Backs vs. Giants 2008; 1st time I went in July 2002, I saw Randy Johnson give up a line drive Home Run to Barry Bonds)
-Safeco Field (Once in June 2007 when Ken Griffey Jr. played in Seattle for the 1st time as a visiting ballplayer for the Reds as they faced the Mariners)
-Tropicana Field (About 20 times last being Sept 2000 A’s vs Rays)
-Rangers Ballpark (About 26 times last being June 2012 last year D-Backs vs Rangers)
-Nationals Ballpark (Once in July 2008 D-Backs vs. Nats)
Here are three parks I’ve been into but was not for a ballgame:
-Camden Yards (2 times for Ballpark Tour and Work Party)
-Fenway Park (Ballpark Tour the morning after Pedro Martinez’s final regular season home game pitched for the Red Sox Sept 2004)
-Current Yankee Stadium (Ballpark Tour July 2009 – easier to see Monument Park and take pictures without a gigantic crowd)
In closing, I’m very fortunate that I got to see so many of these ballparks
Wow, that’s an extremely impressive list! You absolutely blow me away, man. Thanks so much for sharing it. I may be going to see the Braves down in Atlanta for the first time in a couple of weeks. Lately, it’s been just minor league games for me here in Greenville, SC, though it is always a good time.
Take care,
Bill
Hi David, I’ve been to Shea Stadium many times, but haven’t been to CitiField yet. I’ve been to Fenway probably around five times, but I never did get to see the old Yankee Stadium. I’ve also been to the old Kingdome in Seattle, and I was at Three Rivers Stadium in its final season. I’d love to see PNC park in Pittsburgh (now that the Pirates appear to be worth watching again), because it does look really nice on T.V. It is amazing how few really old parks there are anymore. My older son is now ten-years old. That means that the majority of ballparks currently in use have been built in his lifetime!
Thanks again,
Bill
Nice article. I found it because I wanted to confirm my belief that Dodger Stadium is third oldest, which blows my mind because I remember when it was built. My list, more or less in order from first to most recent is:
1) Forbes Field in Pittsburgh – because I grew up in NW PA and my family was all from Pittsburgh, so we’d go down and visit and catch a Pirates-Dodgers game every summer. Probably a half-dozen times in all. Maybe a few more than that.
2) Ebbets Field in Brooklyn – scheduled (!) double-header against the Reds in 1957, I think, but it could have been 1956. We didn’t stay until the end and as a little kid I was unhappy about it.
3) Astrodome – My parents had moved to Dallas and I was visiting. I think my father got free tickets, so some friends and I drove down in my parents’ 66 Chevy Impala. I recall looking at the speedometer at one point and discovering that I was doing 100 mph. Straight, flat roads will do that to you.
4) Shea Stadium – while visiting my uncle in NYC.
5) Fenway Park – many times; I’ve lived in or near Boston since my college days.
6) Arlington Stadium (old Rangers park) – during a business trip to Dallas in about 1975 (?).
7) U.S. Cellular Field – once a few years back when in Chicago for a wedding. White Sox v. Cubs, which made for an entertaining atmosphere. Went with my son and his wife, who bought a White Sox cap and a Cubs visor, respectively, just because.
I guess that’s it. Without enumerating them, I wouldn’t have thought it was even that many. I’ve been a Dodger fan since about 1954, because when I was a little kid we lived in NJ, so my father started following the Dodgers. Since I’m now also a Red Sox fan, I can only thank my lucky stars he didn’t choose to follow the Yankees instead! I’ve also always liked to see the Pirates do well, both because my family is from Pittsburgh and because it was my local team from 1st grade through HS.
As for parks I’d like to get to sometime, I’d rank them Dodger Stadium (for obvious reasons), Wrigley Field (just because it’s so old), and Camden Yards (which is eminently doable from Massachusetts).
Forbes Field was a great place to see ballgames. When the game was over, they opened a gate in RF and fans could walk down on to the field and use the warning track to head out to that gate. (They may have opened gates elsewhere in the outfield, too, but we always went that way, so that’s what I remember.) Fenway is “interesting” and has some interesting if expensive and hard-to-get seating options, but the place was built for people from a hundred years ago and I find it generally uncomfortable. I’ve always been part of the build-a-new-park faction. The obstructed view seats are ridiculous and the RF seats generally face LF.
#1 New Busch Stadium #2 Old Busch Stadium. Other parks I’ve attended games are what is now Chase Field, Riverfront Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, Petco, Candlestick, Safeco, Wrigley, and both Comisky’s, 1 which is now called US Cellular Field. I would like to see a game at ATT Park but it’s so hard to get tickets and they’re very pricey. Oakland Coliseum I have no desire to see a game there with an exception of this weekend’s series games with the Cardinals.
That’s a great list. I’m definitely pretty jealous.
Thanks for sharing,
Bill
I forgot, I also saw 1 game at Jack Murphy Stadium (Qualcom) and have seen a few Chargers games there too. I’m not a Chargers fan but I hope they stay in San Diego.
Well, San Diego is a great place to be, if you can afford it.
Cheers, Bill
great topic, article, and wonderful responses!!! what factors did you use to rank the ones listed? bill, your foursome right there in the kingdome, three rivers, shea, fenway. makes me wonder if anyone else has the same. i can’t be objective when it comes to this because i grew up at county stadium milwaukee and all those smells are tattooed on my memory forever and then a lot depends on what happened the specific day at the specific park unless someone focuses strictly on the architecture. shit, i’m turning this into a metric. a swig of coffee….ok, now them…wrigley, fenway, candlestick, old comiskey, miller park, riverfront, olympic, oakland coliseum, at and t when it was pac bell, coors, old municipal cleveland, old shea, old yankees stadium. i think that covers it and just saying them is impressive. guess i’m stuck on lucky 13. i got no reason to bitch, but i want to be at PNCpark before 2016.
next to county stadium, i’m going with cleveland’s municipal because it was massive and empty and the drummer in centerfield bleachers and how bad were the indians during andre thorton years, but then len barker did it.
Steve, and let’s not forget “Super Joe” Charboneau! PNC is on my shortlist, too. Missed it by one year.
Cheers, Bill
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