I have one unusual life goal: I want to attend ballgames in all 30 current Major League Baseball stadiums. The problem is that everyone is building new ones, meaning that I have or will have to revisit cities. Thus far, I've been to these ball yards:
American League
Yankee Stadium (NY Yankees)
Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay D-Rays)
Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles)
US Celluar Field (Chi White Sox)
Ameriquest Field (Texas Rangers)
National League
Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
Turner Field (Atlanta Braves)
Busch Stadium (STL Cardinals)
Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Dodger Stadium (LA Dodgers)
That is 11 out of 30. I've also been at old Tiger Stadium, the Astrodome, old Busch Stadium, Cinergy Field, and the Vet. Once the new Yankee Stadium comes on line in 2009, I'll have to go back to New York. Next year, I think we will be able to add Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals) to the list; we wanted to go out there this summer, but it didn't work out. I'd love to get back to SoCal before my parents move so that I can go to Angel Stadium (LA Angels).
I also go to minor league games, but I don't count those in the same way: Louisville Bats (AAA); Lexington Legends (A); Asheville Tourists (A); Indianapolis Indians (AAA); the old Greenville Braves (was AA). Next summer, when the PCA General Assembly is in Memphis, I intend to go to the Memphis Redbirds (AAA).
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8 comments:
Dr. Lucas,
I noticed that you did NOT have Wrigley Field on the list. You'll have to make that pilgrimage sometime. Living in the St. Louis area is brutal on a Cubs fan. Thanks for the post.
Mike
The Memphis Redbirds' Stadium is basically a copy of the Oklahoma Redhawks' Stadium which is a much smaller version of the Ballpark in Arlington. You will enjoy Kauffman because it is a smaller venue and you get a "middle America" feel that is almost nostalgic.
My wife and I are on a mission to visit every MLB ballpark within a six hour drive of St. Louis before I graduate. Next year, we have to see games in Chicago and Cincinatti to make that happen.
Hey, Mike: I know you're a Cubs fan from all things in your office!! I really want to go to Wrigley sometime; I need to figure out a way to do that! sml
my brother and I always have a Cubs weekend at the beginning of the season. We are always still in the hunt for the penant at that point and we usually catch a Friday, Saturday and sometimes even a Sunday game. There is nothing quite like a game at Wrigley--a night game is even better! You really need to make a point to get to Wrigley asap.
BTW, which minor league park did you like the best? I am a tad biased since our company has season tickets for the Indianapolis Indians--I have driven by the Louisville stadium and it looks pretty nice.
Matthew
I agree. Wrigley is definitely Mecca to a true baseball fan. Where else do they have one sellout after another for a bunch of pathetic losers like our Cubs?
Trust me, Sean, it's not for Dusty. It's the ivy, the manuel scoreboard, the rooftops, the Harry statue outside, the 7th inning stretch singalong.
As Harry always said, :You can't beat fun at the old ball park."
Matthew: I really liked Indianapolis's Victory Field--I love the way the outfield opens up to the city and how the RCA Dome feels like it is right *there*. Louisville Slugger Field is nice as well, although it would be better if it weren't bounded by and opened to highways and instead was right on the Ohio River or opened toward downtown.
I think my favorite ballpark thus far was PNC Park, the way it opened to downtown Pittsburgh is simply beautiful. But I am very eager to go to Minute Maid Park in Houston and Comerica Park in Detroit to see what they are like.
For me, Wrigley and Fenway are like pilgrimmages--I need to make one someday and it will be a "holy" time. sml
Matthew: I really liked Indianapolis's Victory Field--I love the way the outfield opens up to the city and how the RCA Dome feels like it is right *there*. Louisville Slugger Field is nice as well, although it would be better if it weren't bounded by and opened to highways and instead was right on the Ohio River or opened toward downtown.
I think my favorite ballpark thus far was PNC Park, the way it opened to downtown Pittsburgh is simply beautiful. But I am very eager to go to Minute Maid Park in Houston and Comerica Park in Detroit to see what they are like.
For me, Wrigley and Fenway are like pilgrimmages--I need to make one someday and it will be a "holy" time. sml
Sean:
You said--
"The problem is that everyone is building new ones, meaning that I have or will have to revisit cities."
Kudos on such a carefully crafted goal.
Has your wife seen thru this ruse yet?
:o)
-wts
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