A perfect and unassailable ranking of the 22 big league ballparks I've visited
Spoiler alert: Riverfront Stadium is number one
Over the recent holiday weekend, my wife and I took an impromptu trip to Philadelphia. Where better to go on Independence Day weekend than Philly?* The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence was signed — and the Rocky steps, and the possibility of running into Joel Embiid on the streets. Exciting, right?
*Probably Tuscany, I guess. But that wasn’t in the budget.
The Reds also happened to be in town, so I can’t pretend that didn’t influence my decision a bit. We saw two games, including the July 4 contest, at Citizens Bank Park and had a grand time. I finally broke out my old scorebook after a few years. (More on that in a future installment here. I’ve really missed keeping score at the ol’ ballyard.)
It doesn’t seem possible that Philly’s baseball stadium has been around for more than two decades. Mrs. Dotson and I were suitably impressed by the classic look of the park combined with wide concourses and great sight-lines. It made me begin pondering my personal ranking of the MLB stadiums I’ve seen.
Turns out I’ve been to 22 big league parks over the years. So it’s time for a perfect and unassailable ranking of the 22 big league ballparks I've visited. Let’s do this. All the photos below were taken by me.
Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati. The greatest stadium built since The Colosseum.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore. Just a perfect park, to this day. I went to the Cal Ripken's final game of his streak. Didn't know it was his final game until the next day, of course. Anyway, here's a gorgeous photo I snapped in 1996.
Fenway Park, Boston. Lives up to the billing. The site of Carlton Fisk's famous homer in the World Series that his team lost to the immortal Big Red Machine.
Dodger Stadium, LA. It's possible that I've overrated this one - historical significance of these stadiums weigh heavily in my rankings - but it was a great experience. Sandy Koufax pitched here! Also, Max Muncy hit a walkoff homer when I was there.
PNC Park, Pittsburgh. I went right after the 2020 unpleasantness. I want to go back for a night game to see that skyline lit up. Also, it really hurts me to compliment anything associated with the Pirates.
Old Yankee Stadium, NYC. Mostly because of the history. But I LOVE baseball history. And the Yankees have more history than anyone.
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia. Recency bias, perhaps...but I saw a couple of games here this weekend and I was really impressed. Did not enjoy the celebration of Roy Halladay's playoff no-hitter vs. the Redlegs, however.
Kauffman Stadium, KC. This stadium has no business being as good as it is, considering its age. Horrible location but just a superb ballpark.
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati. Sure, I'm biased, but GABP is a criminally underrated ballpark. I've had many good times here. And I still feel like I’ve underrated it on this list.
Wrigley Field, Chicago. I saw the Reds play there in 2011, which was pretty great. But I expected more from such a classic stadium. Still makes it into my top ten on history alone.
Busch Stadium, St. Louis. I didn't want to like this park as much as I did. Because it's the stupid cardinals. Gross.
American Family Field, Milwaukee. I watched the Brewers beat the Cubs here. Met some Brewers fans who were just delightful. Also, my son and I stopped in MIL to watch this game on our way to Minneapolis to watch my alma mater, UVa, win the NCAA hoops championship.
Truist Park, Atlanta. I dunno, I kinda liked this park. But I can't remember why.
New Yankee Stadium, NYC. My son celebrated his 13th birthday here. While wearing a Eugenio Suarez shirt.
Globe Life Field, Arlington. I think I would have like this one more if the roof had been open. Or if Shohei hadn't been on paternity leave. But it was pretty okay.
Nationals Park, DC. A perfectly cromulent stadium. But nothing special.
Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago. I saw a no-hitter here (Francisco Liriano). That was pretty cool. Also, Adam Dunn played in that game. This was May in Chicago and I've never been colder in my life.
Turner Field, Atlanta. Pretty good stadium, I guess. Not sure why they closed it after, like, 7 seasons.
Tropicana Field, Tampa/St. Pete. Like going to a game in a shopping mall. But I've been there twice. And I'd go again.
Shea Stadium, NYC. Kind of a dump tbh.
Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia. No surviving pics from this stadium. My memories: saw Pete Rose Jr play here in a 1997 doubleheader. Also saw a NYY game here. Windy day. My buddy tossed a napkin in the air and it floated all the way down and landed at Derek Jeter's feet.
RFK Stadium, DC. What a disaster of a stadium by the time I went to a game here in 2005. I did get to see Ichiro play here, though. That was kinda cool.
Loved reading this! One I’ve been to that wasn’t on your list was the Oakland Coliseum. Was in the Bay Area on business last May and did a hot route for their afternoon double header against TEX so that I could see the park in its last year. Would almost certainly be your #23 lol. But it was a beautiful dump in an astonishing way if that makes sense. Almost couldn’t believe how bad it was.
I think GABP deserves to be a lot higher, especially when you consider the museum/HoF connected to it. Dodger Stadium is great in that you enter from the top and walk down to your seat, but it is a bear to get out of the parking lot after. Wrigley is always a major pain to get there and leave. I think Sox Park is the one I’ve been to the most times, and…it’s adequate. It does the job. I pretty much agree with your thoughts on Baltimore and DC and Arlington. I took the ballpark tour at Arlington and got to walk on the field, but it also seems mall-like to my tastes.