There are 30 stadiums in baseball and they all range from
being cathedrals to just being mountains of concrete. Which stadium is the
best-looking in all of baseball?
30. TROPICANA FIELD (TAMPA BAY RAYS)
There is nothing aesthetically pleasing about this stadium.
I've long contended that Tropicana Field is what would happen if you made a
Sam's Club big enough to play baseball in. The good news is that the Rays
appear to be getting closer to figuring out the oath toward a new stadium, so
maybe they won't have to play here for too much longer.
29. OAKLAND COLISEUM (OAKLAND ATHLETICS)
When the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995, they did so
after the local city council approved the addition of 20,000 seats to the
stadium. That baseball monstrosity in center field is known as Mount Davis, and
it will still be there when the Raiders leave. The A's are stuck with it and
while the experience there isn't bad, it is just an ugly baseball stadium to
look at.
28. MARLINS PARK (MIAMI MARLINS)
The Marlins moved into their new stadium in 2012, and
they've already had to undergo renovations. The good news is that they're
removing their gaudy bright green walls in favor of blue walls, and they also
got rid of the tacky fish sculpture in center field. It won't do much to fix
what's normally a dreary looking stadium on most days due to the roof (which is
understandable due to the weather), but it's a start when it comes to
improvements.
27. CHASE FIELD (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
It's understandable as to why the Diamondbacks have a roof
over their stadium. Would you want to spend hours on end cooking in the desert
sun? The Diamondbacks don't want that. Unfortunately, the stadium itself
doesn't stand out from an aesthetic standpoint. The only thing that's truly
unique is that there's a pool in right field.
26. MINUTE MAID PARK (HOUSTON ASTROS)
Again, weather concerns come into play in Houston where it
can be volatile enough that rain could come into play at any time. Still, this
stadium doesn't look too good with the roof open, and there's way too much of a
whimsical vibe that feels more manufactured than organic. They at least made
the smart decision to get rid of Tal's Hill in recent years.
25. MILLER PARK (MILWAUKEE BREWERS)
The positives are that the fans really make the most out of
the acoustics when the roof is on that stadium, and Bernie Brewer's slide looks
cool as well. Unfortunately, that's as far as the positives go when it comes to
aesthetics, as this is another roofed stadium that doesn't really capture your
imagination when it comes to baseball.
24. ROGERS CENTRE (TORONTO BLUE JAYS)
When the roof is open, this stadium gives you a fabulous
view of the CN Tower. The hotels in center field are a unique addition as well.
The downside is that this park was made back when the "cookie cutter"
stadiums were still present across baseball. While it would fit right in with
the rest of baseball, it sticks out like a sore thumb in the present era of the
sport.
23. GUARANTEED RATE FIELD (CHICAGO WHITE SOX)
This is a stadium that has seen many slight changes over the
years and for good reason. It was built in that awkward era between the return
to baseball-specific stadiums and the cookie-cutter, multipurpose stadiums. As
such, it's one of those stadiums that's perfectly fine, but it's never going to
give you any sort of excitement when it comes to views or just an overall
feeling when it comes to baseball stadiums.
22. T-MOBILE PARK (SEATTLE MARINERS)
The most interesting thing about Seattle's stadium is its
exterior and the fact that if you look outside of left field, you can get a
decent view of the Seahawks football stadium. Other than that, it's another
example of how the modern sensibilities of the time when this stadium was built
coming back to haunt the team as the stadium ages. It's a decent structure, but
it hasn't aged well from an aesthetic standpoint.
21. YANKEE STADIUM (NEW YORK YANKEES)
If we're talking about exteriors, Yankee Stadium would be at
or near the top. Unfortunately, you play baseball inside of a stadium and
there's not much to write about. The frieze adorning the upper deck is nice,
but other than that it's not really a glorious cathedral of baseball.
20. PROGRESSIVE FIELD (CLEVELAND INDIANS)
This is another stadium that has undergone plenty of tweaks
since being built in the 1990s and just like other stadiums erected during this
time period, it hasn't aged gracefully. It's not an ugly stadium, but it's a
bit nondescript and almost generic in a way.
19. CITI FIELD (NEW YORK METS)
Just like its neighbor in the Bronx, Citi Field would
receive high marks if we were taking the exterior into consideration. Instead,
we have to look at the interior and there's nothing splashy or exciting about
the stadium. With that being said, the Home Run Apple will remain cool for the
rest of all time.
18. ANGEL STADIUM OF ANAHEIM (LOS ANGELES ANGELS)
The scenery in the center field batter's eye is nice to look
at, and The Big A outside of the stadium is still one of the cooler
baseball-related landmarks that you will ever see. Unfortunately, it's not as
close to the ballpark as it used to be and the rest of the stadium is simply
OK.
17. SUNTRUST PARK (ATLANTA BRAVES)
After discarding a perfectly good stadium in downtown
Atlanta, it would have been fair for the Braves to make sure that their new
ballpark in the suburbs would exceed all expectations. While it's cool that
they have plenty of attractions surrounding the stadium, SunTrust Park as a
stadium isn't a dramatic upgrade over Turner Field. It's a perfectly fine
ballpark, but it could be better from an aesthetic standpoint.
16. COORS FIELD (COLORADO ROCKIES)
Had the architects and designers turned Coors Field 180
degrees the other way, the fans in Denver could have gotten a perfect view of
their city's skyline every time they went to the ballpark. While the outskirts
of town do look lovely during the summer, it's a bit of a missed opportunity
when it comes to a ballpark that is solid in all other aspects.
15. GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK (CINCINNATI REDS)
It's nice to get a view of the river, especially when the
team spent so much time playing in a place called "Riverfront
Stadium" but the fans were unable to get a look at it since they played in
a cookie-cutter park. It's a distinct ballpark in more ways than one and while
it's not elite terms of aesthetics, it's one that Reds fans can be proud
of.
14. NATIONALS PARK (WASHINGTON NATIONALS)
If you look closely outside of left field in the skyline
background, you can get a glimpse of the U.S. Capitol. As far as skyline views
go, it's pretty tough to beat that one. The stadium itself is fan-friendly, and
you'll be hard-pressed to find too much of a fault when it comes to this
ballpark. It's not gorgeous, but it's still a great ballpark to take in a game
or experience via television.
13. CITIZENS BANK PARK (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES)
This is another ballpark that got things right when it came
to the skyline view. Additionally, the views when it comes to the interior of
the stadium are pretty good as well. From an aesthetic standpoint, the batter's
eye is one of the best in baseball, and you also get a look at the brick design
that makes the exterior of the stadium look nice as well. It's a far cry from
Veterans Stadium.
12. BUSCH STADIUM (ST. LOUIS CARDINALS)
Look at that Arch. Your eyes gravitate toward it, which
makes it a genius decision to have the stadium built from where you could get a
perfect view of the Arch. The stadium itself just fine, but the skyline view is
enough reason for any baseball fan to give this place a visit at some point.
11. COMERICA PARK (DETROIT TIGERS)
This is another stadium that is simply fine but is special
because of the Detroit skyline view, which serves as a spectacular background
for Comerica Park. It was going to be tough to top Tiger Stadium (at least from
an aesthetic standpoint), but Comerica Park did so in all aspects.
10. GLOBE LIFE PARK IN ARLINGTON (TEXAS RANGERS)
It's a real shame that this stadium currently has a known
expiration date, since the Rangers are currently building its replacement.
While the current stadium's flaws (such as a lack of a roof in a place) are
understandable, it's still a pretty park to look at and take in a baseball
game. It's one of the most unique ballparks in all of baseball, but a bit of
the character will be lost when the roof goes on the new ballpark.
9. TARGET FIELD (MINNESOTA TWINS)
The Metrodome and its aesthetically awful quirks are now a
distant memory thanks to the construction of this gorgeous baseball stadium
right in the middle of Minneapolis. The usage of local limestone is a touch of
genius on the part of the designers, as was the idea to use the classic Twins
logo as part of the center field theme. They absolutely nailed the design of
this stadium, and it's one that should stand the test of time.
8. KAUFFMAN STADIUM (KANSAS CITY ROYALS)
After finalizing renovations ahead of the 2009 season, the
Royals came out of that rebuild with one of the nicer looking baseball stadiums
that you will see. It doesn't have a an urban skyline to gawk at, but the rest
of the stadium is too pretty to look at to even miss that. The famous fountains
are lovely, and the familiar crown logo being transformed into a scoreboard is
a real touch of inspiration. This is an especially nice ballpark.
7. ORIOLE PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS (BALTIMORE ORIOLES)
When it comes to modern baseball stadiums, Oriole Park at
Camden Yards is the trailblazer that got things going. It's especially nice
when you consider that the stadium has managed to withstand Father Time's
assault. Instead of looking outdated or rusty, the stadium has continued to
serve as a great venue for baseball and one of the best in the game.
6. DODGER STADIUM (LOS ANGELES DODGERS)
You don't need a skyline view when you can get a look at the
gorgeous backdrop of Elysian Park and the San Gabriel Mountains, which is
exactly what Dodger Stadium provides its fans. The scoreboards and outfield
pavilion roofs in the outfield are both truly unique features that add to the
overall character of the stadium. It's the largest in baseball, and yet it
never comes off as cavernous.
5. WRIGLEY FIELD (CHICAGO CUBS)
Needless to say, Wrigley Field has truly withstood the test
of time. The recent renovations have made sure that the stadium won't fall by
the wayside anytime soon and have also assured that the stadium doesn't lose
its unique neighborhood vibe and aesthetics as it continues to get a face lift.
It's amazing that this park has lasted as long as it has, and it's good to see
Chicago is making sure that it will stay around for years to come.
4. FENWAY PARK (BOSTON RED SOX)
Just like Wrigley Field, it's amazing that this stadium has
managed to stick around for as long as it has. While it definitely doesn't have
much in terms of modern amenities, it's easily one of the best looking stadiums
in all of baseball when it comes to interior views. It's tough to beat seeing
the imposing Green Monster, and watching a home run go over that wall will
never, ever get old.
3. PETCO PARK (SAN DIEGO PADRES)
San Diego is a beautiful city, and Petco Park is a beautiful
ballpark. You really get the best of the best when it comes to this stadium.
There's an amazing view, the lovely aesthetic incorporation of the landmark
Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field, and the entire stadium itself
still looks just as nice and fresh as it did when it opened in 2004. Add in the
perfect weather, and it's easy to see why a certain baseball player would be
willing to spend 10 years playing the sport here.
2. AT&T PARK (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS)
If San Diego's coastal paradise isn't appealing to you, then
the industrial beauty that comes from AT& T Park's amazing backdrop should
whet your appetite. It's one thing to get just a view of the water. It's
another thing to get a view of a beautiful boats and a river as well. The
stadium itself was well-designed to boot, and that is another piece of the
recipe that gives the Giants an astonishingly good baseball stadium.
1. PNC PARK (PITTSBURGH PIRATES)
There's no better backdrop in all of baseball than what you
get when you walk through the doors of PNC Park in Pittsburgh.. The view will
always be gorgeous, and it helps when the interior is beautifully adorned with
a steel workers design that will be around for a long, long time. This stadium
is absolutely amazing from an aesthetic standpoint and while there are
beautiful stadiums elsewhere, this ballpark is the cream of the crop.
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