UPDATE: A perfect and unassailable ranking of the 23 big league ballparks I've visited
Spoiler alert: Riverfront Stadium is number one
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Last week, my wife and I found ourselves in Denver, Colorado. Beautiful state and a surprisingly cool city. I’m not sure why that was surprising to me. But it was.
Anyway, on our first night in town, where else would be go other than to a big league ballpark we’ve never seen? That was Coors Field, obviously. And since it’s a new park (to me, anyway), now is the time to update my personal rankings!
At this point, I’ve now been to 23 big league parks over the years. So here’s your perfect and unassailable ranking of those 23 parks 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.
Coors Field, Denver. Like Camden, this is one of the older parks still in use. But it holds up very well. Would visit again.
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia. Very impressed when I visited over Independence Day weekend in 2025. 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.
Agree - love baseball history! Can't beat GABP's Reds HOF and the 1869 Red Stockings pavilion. (I worked a bunch of places in my 20's and kick myself for not seeing Fenway or old Yankee stadium. I did see Dodger stadium. 😊)