Los Angeles Dodgers

#19 - Was super excited to go here. Went on Labor Day with Trudii for a game against the nationals. Roberto Hernandez v Gio Gonzalez. Gio was good. I think there was a total of 4 solo shots and the dodgers lost 6 to 4. Stadium locale was cool, built into the side of a hill in Chavez ravine. There was a parking option for 50 bucks, 15 standard, but zero tailgating in the enormous parking lots. This joint was built in the 60s and you could tell. Small concourses, large foul territory. Two jumbotrons that are in need of an upgrade. The sound from the PA system was also really bad. They had one major set of speakers in center that pushed volume back to the grandstand that kind of echoed. Only two real common areas that both over looked the bullpens in right and left field. Seats were cool, yellow modeled plastic not the composite stuff you're used to. I later learned that the seat color throughout the place was meant to follow the color of the sand and the ocean. Yellow on the lower levels and transitions to blue as you get to the upper decks. So there's that. Fanbase was super into the game and really engaged. Dodger dog was 5.50 and super small, not impressed. Had a good craft beer selection. Overall the dodgers have a super good brand, cool location, good fans; so it's unfortunate that they have such a subpar park. Seems like everyone embraces that though and they don't want change. I respect that, but it doesn't make it a good park. I'd rather go here than a place like Miami or Cincinnati, but I'm not sure how much of that is the team and not the stadium. Grade: C

Washington Nationals

# 18 - Went here by myself in May of 2014. Played the Reds. I was really excited to see Johnny Cueto pitch. Nats won. Don't remember the score, but it wasn't close. Took the Metro, once off the train the stadium is right there. Kind of in a dumpy part of town, but they had some street vendors and make shift tailgate-esk area that looked alright. Stadium was enormous! Very red. Numerous common areas that we big. I mean a lot, picnic tables, jungle gyms for kids, really big bars. Every food option imaginable, beer selection was greater than any I'd ever seen at any stadium. I sat 200 level on the third base side. Had in seat ordering which I thought was extravagant for the 200 level. Place had conference rooms. I struggle with ranking this one because it was very nice, it almost felt like a shopping mall, didn't even feel like it was about baseball. That was evident in the fan base around me, no one seemed to actually care about the game, there's no tradition, the stadium doesn't really embody the town or the fans or anything. That said I'm sure Nats ownership would say something to the effect of 'embodiment? Pound Sand!' our stadium is awesome', and I can't disagree. Super nice, but not the right mix to get a grade of A. I'm going with a B+, but I'm conflicted about it.

Chicago Cubs

I've been here more times than I can count as well. Stadium immortality. It's just a very beautiful place in my opinion. Wrigleyville is a mix of chaos, douchery, drunkery, and fantasticness. You either love it or hate it. It's crazy to go into one of these bars at 4 pm after a cubs loss and experience the night life of south beach. If I was going to be critical, there are a lot of obstructed seats and it does seem like if you're in the shade, you're always cold. But all in all: the Rooftops, the "El", old style, seventh inning, the ivy, the wind blowing out, hey Chicago whatdaya say, this is America...Grade: A

Atlanta Braves

Late April game against the Reds. Good pitching matchup between Ervin Santana and Homer Bailey. I thought this stadium was great. We were late and in a rush. Stadium is in a weird part of town that doesn't really have the infrastructure to support it, but once inside it seemed to have the perfect combination of modern and historic. Concourse was closed on the low level, open on the second level. On the first they had a lot of radar guns for drunk dudes to impress their girlfriends with their 52 mph fastball, mini batting cages for kids, etc. In center it opened up to a huge area with two bars, one being a two story joint. We didn't check this out because we had amazing seats. Row 1 on the third base side, so we didn't wanna leave. Friday night game, so it was busy, all the fans were very engaged and passionate. I was impressed by how many division series banners they've had in the last 20+ years. 10 bucks for a 24 oz beer, the tomahawk chop! They shot a single firework for every Braves K. They turned off all stadium signage prior to the closer's, Craig Kimbrels, entrance music. On the negative side their jumbotron is in pretty bad shape, very pixelly. But they are shamefully moving in 3 years, so none of any of this really matters. Overall a fantastic place, probably top five for me thus far. Grade: A-

Tampa Bay Rays

I had very low expectations going into this one and it was warranted. Couple of locals tried to convince me it was all right. It wasn't, but they pumped some money into the stadium to try and make it salvageable. Again beautiful night in April, so it was a shame to go inside. Situated in the middle of no where. nothing really around the stadium for a game day experience. Big wide open parking lots, but didn't see any tailgating. Metal detectors at the stadium, that was a first. Closed concourses, because they were closed they build a make shift promenade at the top of the first level, which I give them credit for. They had fake brick wallpaper in the inner concourse to try and make it not suck. The AstroTurf looked absolutely terrible, like it'd just got a bunch of water damage. They had at least two food courts which was interesting. They made the batters eye into a bar which was a nice wide open common area. In back they had an honest to goodness cigar bar. They're calling card, like AZ, is there "Ray tank" in center field filled with different types of sting rays. That was cool. They lost to the twins in 12. Good fans, really cared for some reason. I think they've done the best that they can with what they have, but it's still not a great place. Grade: D+

Miami Marlins

Went to a game on a Saturday night in mid-April. Flew in that day and saw the roof was open from the plane. By game time the roof was closed on a beautiful 78 degree night. If I had to describe it in a word I'd say: weird. One of the newer stadiums in baseball so I was expecting some legitimacy even though I'd heard it was kind of an eye soar. With the roof closed the sound was terrible, super loud. The concourses were open, but very few concessions causing a lot of long lines. And what do you get at the end of that long line? A $12 beer. Wtf? We sat in center field and you did feel surprisingly close to the game, which was nice. There is a legitimate night club in left field that played loud music during the game. Weird. One good common area in left field and a weird one that really didn't face the field in right. Marlins played the mariners. Henderson Alvarez pitched a 2 hit shut out. As we toured the stadium we saw mariners utility player willie bloomquist wandering the concourse during the game trying to get to the bullpen. He was lost, confused, and not happy. He gave the security guards hell for not getting him to the right spot. Stadium is not in a good part of town and had really strange architecture. It wasn't bad, it was just weird. Grade: C

Kansas City Royals

Me and Trudii went to a game in late August vs the nationals. Nats killed them, but the royals fans were committed to the end. They wore throw backs. It was hot. The stadium is in the middle of no where, but they had a pretty vibrant tailgating community. Stadium seemed like it had old bones, but had a lot of nice face lifts. I later learned that this place has the exact same footprint as dodger stadium. The fountains where the calling card for this place, turning them on in between innings and for Royals HRs. Great common areas with views of the game in the outfield, not so much in the infield. Two bars in the outfield. One in the infield that didn't face the game. Plenty of kids stuff including mini golf, a carousel, and a mini field for young folks to go run bases. Good, bordering on great. Grade: B+

Arizona Diamondbacks

Went to a late April game vs. the Braves. It was hot out and the roof was closed. Nothing real awesome around the stadium, but there was a team owned plaza that had a bar and patio party area. I'd call the stadium above average. Nice sight lines from the concourse. They had 4 dollar beer stands for the senior citizens and non-alcoholics. Nothing great food wise. The pool in center field is kind of their calling card. Had some good common areas in the outfield as well as places to take restless kids when the game got too long. Solid, but not a must see though. Grade: B

Colorado Rockies

Smaller stadium, nice, but not great. Bar in left field with some common area. Trees in the batters eye similar to what Target field had their first year. I remember wondering how the Rockies got away with that being that the Twins had to remove theirs because they were "Distracting the hitters". Had really good seats near third base. Felt really close to the field. I feel like this was ahead of its time when it was built, but was quickly out done by the new stadiums being built. They get credit for being the mold. Good placement in the city. Sort of a walk from our hotel downtown, but totally manageable. Not a lot of tradition or anything. No food or beer excitement. They played the dodgers. Matt Kemp killed it and won it for LA in the 9th. Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Pirates

Flew on southwest from Chicago with a plane full of cubs fans. Went both Friday and Saturday night. Friday sat in left field bleachers, Saturday had nice seats behind home plate. Pirates for sure won Friday, don't remember Saturday. Great park, built right on the river. Hedges with the pirates logo as the batters eye. Concourses were little thin making it crowded and no common area with sight lines to the game are the only things I can say negatively. The areas around the park were constructed for the park. They did a great job providing a game day experience for a newer stadium. Remember the droves of people crossing the bridge before and after the game. Grade: A-

Seattle Mariner

Went to a game by myself, I think was out there for Hanson's wedding. Walked to the stadium through the "pioneer" neighborhood I think...? It was cool, cobblestone and what not, bars, restaurants, etc. Stadium was right next to the new Seahawks stadium (Quest field) which was still being built and it was kind of hot to trot in those days. I think the all star game had just been there the year before. I sat center field. Remember moving to right field upper deck and you could see ships coming into Puget sound. Very cool. First time I remember seeing a bullpen that fans could look into and seeing the guys warm up. At the time I went I remember it being the best I'd seen. Grade B+

Cleveland Indians

Drove from Chicago with Trudii stayed by the airport. Went to Pro Football Hall of fame earlier in the day then drove into Cleveland and took a shuttle to the train, to the stadium (which was actually more convenient than it sounds). I remember the giant Lebron James "Witness" sign painted on a building walking up to the park. Sat upper deck outfield. They played the twins. It was cc sabbathia sock puppet night. Stadium was alright. Good view of the city. Nice score board at the left field fence. Bar in dead center giving a good view from the outfield. Not a very intimate stadium, the game felt far away. Couple bars and What not in the area for a game day experience. Better than I expected for Cleveland. Grade : C+

Cincinnati Reds

After YEARS of thinking that old Cinergy Field was only renovated I come to learn that Cinergy was actually imploded and Great American Ballpark is new stadium that I have not attended. Here was my original post: Now great American ball park, when I went there it was called Cinergy field I think. They were in the process of some renovations and I think it was situated on the river. This was the second year that Griffey was there and they were all excited. Sat infield upper deck. Can't remember who they played. Stadium seemed well placed looking at the city, good view of downtown, but that is about all the good I can say about it. Don't recall anything in particular about the experience being good by any means. Seemed in a dumpy part of town with very few amenities. i think this stadium was simply built in the wrong place at the wrong time. I would probably call this the worst park I've been to, save Metrodome. Grade: D

New York Mets

Now that I think about it this should go before yanks. Went to a game with Eric Saez and his roommate on Friday, September 8th 2001, just before 9/11 so it was memorable. I remember the complex with it being next to the old worlds fair and US Open (Tennis) facilities. They played the Dodgers. And won it in a walk off. We wanted to get out of there ASAP to go to some party later that night, so as soon as that run crossed the plate we were running to the train to beat everyone out of there. 70s style stadium seeming pretty run down. Nothing real good to say about this place. Definitely seemed like the fans knew it wasn't as good as Yankee, but didn't care. The apple that came up for a HR was cool, that's about it. Grade:C-

New York Yankees

I went here for a Twins playoff game with Trudii when we were dating, I wanna say it was 2002. We sat left field bleachers which had a separate entrance that didn't allow access to the majority of the stadium, so I can't say a lot about the amenities of the total park, only the limited ones in left. It was cold. It was game 2 of the ALDS. Andy Petitte pitched for the yanks and was dominant. Bronx fans were brutal to the twins fans that revealed themselves; we kept our jackets on as we feared for our lives and simply jumped once when Jacque Jones scored the twins only run on a solo shot. One big huge guy in front of us noticed that Trudii had a Twins shirt on at one point and remarked to his buddies "We got an F'n Twins fan behind us". I can only imagine that the reason it didn't escalate from there is because she was a girl and we had kept our mouths shut. I think the final was 2-1 yanks and they swept the series. Rolling up to the stadium from the subway was cool, the experience really struck me. History is there, its undeniable. The stadium was old, the columns were cool, announcer was epic, along with god bless America in the seventh. Gotta have respect for the place. Grade: A-

Boston Red Sox

Should have probably listed this above the white sox now that I think about it. Went here in the late summer of 1996 with one of my dad's coworkers. Took the train there. Remember a hell of a game day experience around the stadium. Bars, vendors, merchandise a plenty. Seemed like a party. Had pretty good seats. Lower level, behind the posts though. Remember my chair was really narrow and my view pretty blocked by the posts. They played the angels (the California Angels) and I remember thinking how big Mo Vaughn looked. If I was a fan of this club I could see rating this place higher, but I just couldn't appreciate it like I do Wrigley, don't know why. Grade: B-

Chicago White Sox

I've been here maybe a half dozen times. Caught an opening day with Kleinman against Cleveland in which mark burhle dominated and we were out of there in something like 2 hours. Saw the Twins a couple times, and once sat in luxury box (only time I've ever done that anywhere). Also seem to recall a Texas game in the outfield and one against Oakland by myself way up in the nose bleeds. Overall this stadium is fine. Doesn't scream great or terrible. Easy to get too, but nothing in terms of a game day experience around it. They dumped some money into it a while back. Improving the outfield concourse, adding the right field bar, some things for the kids, and the fancy pants seat area behind the back stop. Again, nothing sticks out as real good or bad. Grade: C+

Minnesota Twins

Many memories in the metrodome, none of them amazing. Walking out the doors to the wind gust at your back stands out, i guess. Dome Dogs? I did get two foul balls there though, neither of them were caught by me. One was given to me from an old lady who got it on a bounce and the other thrown to me from the Twins bullpen. They had a lack lustered attempt at a tailgating scene I guess. It was going to see baseball inside, doesn't work. Target field on the other hand is great. It is hands down the stadium I've been to the most. I can't count how many games I've been to in either of these stadiums. Target field, being one of the newest in baseball, is also reasonably one of the best. Wide concourses, plenty of common area to meet friends for a drink with good sight lines to the game. Well situated in the city, plenty of options for Pre and Post game fun. Food is okay, they're working on providing some unique options (krzamacheks, pretty good Cuban, turkey to go). One of the only negatives is that they didn't make the Budweiser rooftop available to the public, that and they might regret not putting a roof on the place, but that is splitting hairs as I'm not able to provide that level of insight into other stadiums. Grade: A

Milwaukee Brewers

County Stadium/Miller Park. One of my first memories is Bernie Brewer going down the slide at county. Can't recall much more of that event, I think I must have gone with one of my uncles & fam, but they must have hit at least that one HR.... I've been to miller park at least 3 times, maybe more, can't remember... Once for Twins, once pirates on opening day having driven up from Chicago, and a third time with a gang of friends from Chicago. I remember parking in a strange neighborhood west of the stadium to avoid having to pay for parking. We literally cut through a cemetery to get there, and we weren't the only ones either....Miller is just okay at best for a newer park. Retractable stadium that feels very "indoors" even when the roof is open. Not much of a "scene" around the stadium, but the tailgating that is tradition in scony makes up for that a bit. No food or beer to rave of. Grade: C