Thanks to my career in sports media, combined with my love of baseball, I've been able to visit many of the MLB ballparks, including some no longer active (e.g Tiger Stadium, which with a fully enclosed upper deck was very cozy, very intimate.)
My all-time favorite ballpark, for the unique experience it offers, is Wrigley Field. You have to attend a Cubs day game, preferably on a Friday or Saturday, to understand.
Of the modern-day ballparks, my favorites are:
5. Coors Field -- There's nothing like seeing the Rockies above the outfield.
4. Yankee Stadium -- Yes I'm a little biased here, but even I admit the luxury love seats take away from the overall ballpark atmosphere. Love the field-level auxiliary scoreboard.
3. SAFECO Field -- I remember eating clam chowder out of a bread bowl while Felix Hernandez was throwing tiny Tylenols (a Bob Klapisch phrase if there ever were one).
2. Minute Maid Park -- The Astros-Cardinals NLCS certainly created enough atmosphere, but the elevated train in left field and the hill in center added just as much.
1. AT&T Park -- Location, location, location ... and the park itself is awesome, too.
I haven't been to Pittsburgh's PNC Park, which I've heard several people say is tops in the Majors. Also haven't been to Jacobs Field, the Ballpark in Arlington, Nationals Park, Miller Park, Great American Ballpark or Citi Field. What I mean is, I haven't been to them YET.
Last year I made it to Citizens Bank Park, an impressive replacement for the cookie-cutter Vet.
It has been a while since visiting Camden Yards, the first of the modern-day ballparks. The more recently built parks have been able to tweak and enhance the standard set in Baltimore.
As for Fenway park, well, I haven't been there since the 1980s. (I'm sure it's at or near the top for many fans, but why credit the Red Sox when I really don't have to. :)
And as of this year in South Florida, we have Marlins Park.
Compared to their former home, the Marlins should be happy and proud about their new facility, the smallest ballpark in the majors. (The size helps make the crowds look better. :) )
If you go to a Marlins game, make sure you check out the Bobblehead Museum, a glass case on the lower-level concourse between home and first. The well-discussed Home Run (insert your noun, I'll use Machine) in left-center isn't too bad, and it helps give Marlins Park a South Florida feel.
One thing I wish were better: The view of Downtown Miami.
Looking out past and over left field isn't bad when the glass panes are open, but that won't be the case 90-percent of the time. At night, the combination or dark panes and few well-lighted buildings combine to mean the view is, at best, disappointing; at worst, the view is non-existent.
As for the parking and traffic, they're not as bad as has been publicized. Of course, going to a Mets/Phillies game or a postseason game might be a little different.
Buy a prepaid garage ticket and leave a little early if traffic is going to ruin your night. :)
All in all, the Marlins hit a home run. Not a grand slam, but they still cross the plate.
Some photos:
 |
| The view from Section 5, Row 19, Seats 17-18. Not bad for $30 per seat. |
 |
| Center field, right field and the large video screen. |
 |
| Hanley Ramirez batting in the first. |
 |
| Hanley Ramirez, Andy Warhol style. |
 |
| I paid this attractive woman from Ecuador to take a photo with me. :) Not really ... |
 |
| Usually where I sit when attending a Marlins game. |
 |
| A view from Standing Room in left field. |
 |
| Looking home from SRO in left field. |
 |
| Making our way around the ballpark. |
 |
| See previous caption. |
 |
| The Bobblehead Museum. |
 |
| No. 44, Reggie Jackson between Lou Gehrig and Derek Jeter. (At least, that's what the names say.) |
 |
| Nice view, but I'd prefer the sights at the Clevelander on Ocean Ave. |
 |
| Logan Morrison is about to hit a score-tying homer. |
 |
| The Home Run machine starting up. |
 |
| I should have taken a video of this instead of the photo. |
No comments:
Post a Comment