Best Ballparks - All time

[Tigerfan1974]

Top 1O-
10 - Yankee Stadium
9 - Wrigley Field
8 - Forbes Field
7 - Original Comiskey Park
6 - Dodger Stadium
5 - Polo Grounds
4 - Ballpark in Arlington
3 - Ebbets Field
2 - Fenway Park
1 - Tiger Stadium

[redbuck]

Top 10
10 Braves Field
9 Dodger Stadium
8 The Cookie Cutters
7 Fenway Park
6 PNC Park
5 AT&T Park
4 Shibe Park
3 Tiger Stadium
2 Jacobs Field
1 Wrigley Field

Of course, this discounts all minor league parks.
Don't confuse Yankee Stadium with the people who played in it.
The Polo Grounds was one of the technically worst baseball facilities ever because it was in no way built for baseball. Then again, that's what made it unique, and great.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Top 10
10 Braves Field
9 Dodger Stadium
8 The Cookie Cutters
7 Fenway Park
6 PNC Park
5 AT&T Park
4 Shibe Park
3 Tiger Stadium
2 Jacobs Field
1 Wrigley Field

Of course, this discounts all minor league parks.
Don't confuse Yankee Stadium with the people who played in it.
The Polo Grounds was one of the technically worst baseball facilities ever because it was in no way built for baseball. Then again, that's what made it unique, and great.
You must still be upset after all of these years because of the indians losing to the giants in the 1954 world series to say that the polo grounds was one of the worst baseball stadiums. the old ballparks were all diffrent in there own way back then just like the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is my top list

1)TIGER STADIUM
2)POLO GROUNDS
3)OLD COMISKEY PARK
4)CROSLEY FIELD
5)EBBETS FIELD
6)YANKEE STADIUM
7)FENWAY PARK
8)WRIGLEY FIELD
9)SHIBE PARK-CONNIE MACK STADIUM
10)FORBES FIELD
i love the old time ballparks.:)

[Elvis]

The Polo Grounds was one of the technically worst baseball facilities ever because it was in no way built for baseball. Then again, that's what made it unique, and great.

Just to set the record straight, the Polo Grounds WAS built exclusively for baseball, as strange as that is to imagine. After the wooden Polo Grounds burned down in 1911, Giants owner John T. Brush (after recieving his wife's blessing :laugh ) decided to build the finest fireproof (steel & concrete) baseball palace in the country. The result--The Polo Grounds! Yes, built just for baseball!

For more, see my Polo Grounds Page! (http://www.ballparktour.com/Former_New_York.html)

Marcus

[JPL BMX]

Here is my top list

1)TIGER STADIUM
2)POLO GROUNDS
3)OLD COMISKEY PARK
4)CROSLEY FIELD
5)EBBETS FIELD
6)YANKEE STADIUM
7)FENWAY PARK
8)WRIGLEY FIELD
9)SHIBE PARK-CONNIE MACK STADIUM
10)FORBES FIELD
i love the old time ballparks.:)


Which Yankee Stadium old or new version? Because they are way different.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Which Yankee Stadium old or new version? Because they are way different.

I have been to the current yankee stadium and i like it. i would have loved to have made it to the old version of yankee stadium. i prefer the old yankee stadium over the current one.but its to bad that the polo grounds was not renovated like yankee stadium instead being torn down like ebbets field.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a lithograph showing the polo grounds on 10-2-1951 the second game of the 1951 playoffs.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a pitch from game 3 of the 1951 playoffs at the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo showing left field you can see the overhang in the upper deck of the polo grounds.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is the polo grounds during the 1951 world series vs the yankees.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a seating diagram for the polo grounds from 1955.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo you can see the polo grounds clubhouse with the knickerbocker beer sign. the knickerbocker beer sign first was put on the clubhouse wall in 1956.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a seat taken from the polo grounds.

[charlesblalack@yahoo.com]

1. Wrigley
2. Fenway
3. Polo Grounds
4. Tigers Stadium
5. Pac Bell

[64Cards]

Here is a seating diagram for the polo grounds from 1955.
Donald, thanks for the great stuff from the PG. I didn't realize that they had such a large parking lot next to the PG. Do you know if they kept fans who had bought the cheap seats, say in the bleachers or in the upper deck off the outfield partioned off so they couldn't move into the better seats behind the infield? It would seem that they had quite a few seats in that huge outfield area that weren't too good, they were just too far away. But the Giants had a lot of very good seats that were usually empty too.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Donald, thanks for the great stuff from the PG. I didn't realize that they had such a large parking lot next to the PG. Do you know if they kept fans who had bought the cheap seats, say in the bleachers or in the upper deck off the outfield partioned off so they couldn't move into the better seats behind the infield? It would seem that they had quite a few seats in that huge outfield area that weren't too good, they were just too far away. But the Giants had a lot of very good seats that were usually empty too.

I have talked to people that did go to the polo grounds to see baseball and sat out in the outfield and the bleachers and was told that there was nothing wrong with sitting out there.everyone is diffrent some people may like to sit behind homeplate and others may like to sit in the outfield.i use to like to sit out in the bleachers at tiger stadium 440ft away and enjoyed it alot.again like i have said before all of the classic old stadiums were not perfect including the polo grounds,ebbets field and old yankee stadium. you did have those posts but you needed the posts to have that great upper deck view. and the polo grounds did have its share of posts.old comiskey park also had its share of posts also. i recall sitting down in the right field and left field corners at old comiskey park and you had the rows of posts in front of you and i did not mind it a bit. i recall the cool brezze that would come in at old comiskey on a hot summer night or day.
As far as the fans getting to move from the bleachers at the polo grounds i dont know if the fans could move else where or not. i know at tiger stadium you could not leave the bleachers unless they opened the gates late in the ball game.

[Elvis]

[QUOTE=POLO GROUNDS 1957]You did have those posts but you needed the posts to have that great upper deck view.QUOTE]

:clapping :clapping :clapping

That's why I don't like modern stadium construction. The upper decks are pushed back too far!:grouchy :grouchy :grouchy

And it doesn't have to be that way... When Yankee stadium was renovated they removed the posts AND kept the upper deck cantilevered over the field!

[64Cards]

I've done my share of slummin' in the bleachers and OF upper decks. Bleachers are kinda fun, especially when you're younger, but Lord, at the PG they were soooo far away. I don't really care for OF upper deck, unless it's a park that doesn't have real distant fences. I think in the PG, upper deck down the lines would be fine, but in the distant reaches of left & right center, you'd better bring binoculars.

When I visited tiger Stadium in 99, I moved around the park, my favorite seats were in the upper deck, behind home plate. Could have spit on the umpire from there.:D

[Sultan_1895-1948]

1. Fenway
2. Forbes
3. Polo
4. Griffith
5. Tiger Stadium

Griffith: The center-field wall detoured around five houses and a tree that jutted into the field of play. It was downhill from the plate to first base, to save a step for slow Washington batters.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of griffith stadium and the surrounding area.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of forbes field in pittsburgh

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of the main entrance of forbes field.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice photo of braves field in boston

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice air view of braves field.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of the main entrance to ebbets field from 1945.

[charlesblalack@yahoo.com]

I really like the current SF Giants park. Pac Bell, SBC, whatever. The glove, the McCovey Cove, the seats, it's truly a pretty bay sight. I've been there three times and it's my favorite current ballpark besides Fenway and Wrigley.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

This photo from 10-4-1956 shows ebbets field

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo you see the 2 philadelphia ballparks baker bowl at the top of photo and shibe park(CONNIE MACK STADIUM) in the bottom.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a photo of right field at shibe park(CONNIE MACK STADIUM)in 1956.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here is a nice interior photo of shibe park which was renamed connie mack stadium.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Another classic ballpark is cincinnati's crosley field. in this photo you see crosley field during the 1953 allstar game.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

In this photo you see crosley field on opening day of the 1957 season.

[ny yankees23]

Ok,

1: Coors Fie.....POLO GROUNDS!!!!
2. Wrigley
3. Yankee
4. SBC
5. Fenway
6. Astrodome
7. Petco
8. Old Comiskey
9. Tiger
10. Busch

[steveox]

http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ph/baltmem1.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ph/baltmem2.jpg
http://www.roadsidephotos.com/rp/ballparks/balmem.jpg
Best Ballpark to my eyes

[Elvis]

Ok,

1: Coors Fie.....POLO GROUNDS!!!!
2. Wrigley
3. Yankee
4. SBC
5. Fenway
6. Astrodome
7. Petco
8. Old Comiskey
9. Tiger
10. Busch

Astrodome?:noidea

[sschirmer]

I mean, could it be anything else? What other park built at that time has had no rumors of replacement? The place is timeless. Be it 1914, 1932, 1945, 1969, or 2005 it works, and it's beautiful.

[Elvis]

I mean, could it be anything else? What other park built at that time has had no rumors of replacement? The place is timeless. Be it 1914, 1932, 1945, 1969, or 2005 it works, and it's beautiful.

I agree 100%

In fact, if the Cubs are smart, they will do this:

When the time comes that Wrigley really does need to be replaced, say in 20-30 years or so, they will find a temporary home for the Cubs to play their home games (share the Cell for 2-3 years) while Wrilgley is torn down and rebuilt in the same location and exactly, EXACTLY as it was - supporting posts and all.

http://www.ballparktour.com/wrigley-1a.jpg

But that's just my dumb opinion.

[Transplanted Fan]

I agree 100%

In fact, if the Cubs are smart, they will do this:

When the time comes that Wrigley really does need to be replaced, say in 20-30 years or so, they will find a temporary home for the Cubs to play their home games (share the Cell for 2-3 years) while Wrilgley is torn down and rebuilt in the same location and exactly, EXACTLY as it was - supporting posts and all.

http://www.ballparktour.com/wrigley-1a.jpg

But that's just my dumb opinion.
Not a dumb opinion at all. But, if they ever take that route and build anew, I say they should replace the main grandstand only, and leave the playing field and bleachers alone. I'd use the grandstand at PNC park as a template for what a new Wrigley should look like.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/pennsylvania/pittsburgh_pnc1.jpg

Add a little more roof and the Wrigley Light fixtures, and you're done. Just don't think about erecting a five-deck monstrosity like at some other new parks...

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/pennsylvania/philadelphia_citizens2.jpg

[64Cards]

Not a dumb opinion at all. But, if they ever take that route and build anew, I say they should replace the main grandstand only, and leave the playing field and bleachers alone. I'd use the grandstand at PNC park as a template for what a new Wrigley should look like.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/pennsylvania/pittsburgh_pnc1.jpg

Add a little more roof and the Wrigley Light fixtures, and you're done. Just don't think about erecting a five-deck monstrosity like at some other new parks...

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/pennsylvania/philadelphia_citizens2.jpg
Very good ideas,TF & Elvis.

Wrigley is my favorite park, too. The park, the neighborhood, mostly day games, can't beat it. And that's about the only good things I have to say about the Cubs.

[sschirmer]

Those are great ideas, and I tend to agree with you both. Let's just hope that we don't see Wrigley go down any time soon.

[ny yankees23]

I sound like a complete party pooper and a jerk, but I predict (not like that Raven person) that Wrigley's supports will collapse one day, and may be a repeat of what happened at Coors Field 2 or 3 seasons ago, when the 3-floor escalator suddenly broke down after a July 4th game, and like 30 people got injured.

[sschirmer]

I sound like a complete jerk, .

Yeah, you do.

[64Cards]

10 Favorite ballparks I have seen a game at
1]Wrigley
2]Sportsman's Park
3]Tiger Stadium
4]Comiskey Park
5]Busch Stadium
6]Turner Field
7]Fenway
8]Dodger Stadium
9]Connie Mack
10]County Stadium
I really wouldn't consider Busch a classic park, although it was the best of the cookie-cutters, I just have some great memories and terrific times there.

10 parks I would have loved to have seen a game
1]Polo Grounds
2]Ebbetts field
3]Old Yankee Stadium [pre-76]
4]Forbes Field
5]Crosley Field
6]Braves Field [Boston]
7]Seals Stadium [SF, 58 &59]
8]LA Wrigley Field
9]KC Munincipal
10]Griffith Park

10 Parks I'm Glad I Never Saw or Will See a Game
1]Olympic Stadium
2]Kingdome
3]Suncoast Dome ? [Tampa]
4]Metrodome
5]Astrodome
6]Exhibition Stadium
7]Pro Player/Joe Robbie/Dolphins/Whatever [Miami]
8]Three Rivers
9]Veterans
10]Candlestick

10 parks I want to see a game at
1]New Busch
2]Pac Bell [SF]
3]Petfood park [SD]
4]PNC [Pit]
5]Jacobs Field
6]Cincinnati [Great American?]
7]Philly [whatever?]
8]Cell Phone Field [Chicago]
9]Coors Field
10]Kramarica Park [Detroit...sorry Donald]

[RottenGazebo]

Dude treat the ballparks with some respect. Comerica Park, U.S. Cellular Field, and etc.

[64Cards]

Dude treat the ballparks with some respect. Comerica Park, U.S. Cellular Field, and etc.
Ballparks should be named after people, a franchise nickname or the city they represent, not a product or corporation. I can't these names seriously, not after half the corporations end up filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy a couple years after they fork over millions for the naming rights.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Dude treat the ballparks with some respect. Comerica Park, U.S. Cellular Field, and etc.

he is giving the dump some respect,kramarica park detroit, i like it. that is a great name for a crappy ballpark.

[tommybaseball]

Here is a lithograph showing the polo grounds on 10-2-1951 the second game of the 1951 playoffs.

Do you or anyone know where I can get a 11x14 or 8x10 of this Polo Grounds aerial?

[efin98]

Ballparks should be named after people, a franchise nickname or the city they represent, not a product or corporation. I can't these names seriously, not after half the corporations end up filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy a couple years after they fork over millions for the naming rights.

With the exception of a few teams the vast majority of teams don't have a say in what the stadium is called. They just rent the place, the real owners can call the place whatever they want to. Blame the cities/counties/states/whoever owns them for the "corporate" names of some of those places, but if not for some of those corporate names alot of those stadiums would not have been built in the first place:rolleyes:

[efin98]

Polo Grounds is the ugliest stadium I have ever seen. It went from a decent stadium built to older standards(when they could actually have a stadium with fences only 270' from home place to being the example of greed in the game. Same thing with Tiger Stadium.

I am a fan of the "ancient" ballparks that are overlooked by many. Some of them are real beauties that deserve more respect, like Huntington Ave. Grounds, South End Grounds, and Hilltop Park. Something about the single deck stadiums with lots of space around the outfield for huge standing crowds makes those stadiums simply amazing...

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

Good Pics guys, thanks.

I havent been to 10 Major League Stadiums so I cant base my list on experiences, but rather just on things I know about STadiums, how they look, etc..

Yankee Stadium (Hometown Bias, I know)
Fenway Park (Been there once, lot of fun)
Wrigley Field (Havent been yet, want to soon)
Polo Grounds (Always one of my favorite classic parks, wish it was still standing so I could see it first-hand)
Ebbets Field (Read description for Polo Grounds)
Safeco Field (Always heard nothing but the nest about Safeco)
Olympic Stadium (Crazy as it sounds, I have always wanted to go to Olympic Stadium, cant explain it, sorry)
Shibe Park (always looked like a place i'd want to go)
Royals Stadium (Back when it was called Royals Stadium, with the artificial turf and everything. Always looked pretty nice to me)
Veterans Stadium (Whether we want to or not, the Cookie-Cutters must be acknowledged as they were the norm during an era of baseball. The round, multi-purpose, artificial turf Stadiums were a part of sports in America for a long time. The Vet is my favorite of all of them)

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Polo Grounds is the ugliest stadium I have ever seen. It went from a decent stadium built to older standards(when they could actually have a stadium with fences only 270' from home place to being the example of greed in the game. Same thing with Tiger Stadium.

I am a fan of the "ancient" ballparks that are overlooked by many. Some of them are real beauties that deserve more respect, like Huntington Ave. Grounds, South End Grounds, and Hilltop Park. Something about the single deck stadiums with lots of space around the outfield for huge standing crowds makes those stadiums simply amazing...

If you want to say the tiger stadium and the polo grounds are the ugliest stadiums that you have ever seen that is your opinion. but many people disagree with you like always.

[efin98]

If you want to say the tiger stadium and the polo grounds are the ugliest stadiums that you have ever seen that is your opinion. but many people disagree with you like always.

I said they became ugly. Look at the progression from their openings to the 20s to the 30s- adding the upper deck all around the field ruined the beauty.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I said they became ugly. Look at the progression from their openings to the 20s to the 30s- adding the upper deck all around the field ruined the beauty.
I guess you were a big fan of those cookie cutter stadiums that were built in the 1960s and all looked the same. or big fan of todays cookie cutter stadiums that all look like cleveland or baltimore. the classic stadiums were all diffrent in there own way. and that was great including the beautiful tiger stadium and polo grounds.

[efin98]

I guess you were a big fan of those cookie cutter stadiums that were built in the 1960s and all looked the same. or big fan of todays cookie cutter stadiums that all look like cleveland or baltimore. the classic stadiums were all diffrent in there own way. and that was great including the beautiful tiger stadium and polo grounds.

Reread what I said. If you can't do that then I guess you are simply incapable of seeing anything but what you spew:rolleyes:

[Gjm130]

Here's my favorite!!!
c'mon, you have to agree with me!!! the 2 best.............
Jarry Park and Olympic Stadium
Did you know, the Olympic Stadium was the biggest park from outside??

Yankee Stadium: 260m
Olympic Stadium: 352m

4674

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Here's my favorite!!!
c'mon, you have to agree with me!!! the 2 best.............
Jarry Park and Olympic Stadium
Did you know, the Olympic Stadium was the biggest park from outside??

Yankee Stadium: 260m
Olympic Stadium: 352m

4674

I agree with you on jarry park being a nice ballpark but olympic stadium stunk.

[Gjm130]

I agree with you on jarry park being a nice ballpark but olympic stadium stunk.

Ya you're probably right about the "Big O". But, I'm tellin' ya, if they kept that roof open, people would have come......and the ballpark would be a great success......
TO BAD THEY COULDN'T FACE THE WEATHER UP HERE IN CANADA!!!

:( Remember The EXPOS (I hate Jeffrey Loria):(

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Ya you're probably right about the "Big O". But, I'm tellin' ya, if they kept that roof open, people would have come......and the ballpark would be a great success......
TO BAD THEY COULDN'T FACE THE WEATHER UP HERE IN CANADA!!!

:( Remember The EXPOS (I hate Jeffrey Loria):(what are they doing with olympic stadium now that the expos are gone.

[Gjm130]

what are they doing with olympic stadium now that the expos are gone.

The Montreal Alouettes are playing in the Olympic Stadium now (Canadian Football League). Unfortunatly, they only play the playoffs in the "Big O". The regular season games are played in a smaller downtown stadium.

And, rumor has it, Wrestlemania 23 will be in Montreal's "Big O".

[56 chmps]

My top 10

1. Polo grounds (i love those short left - right field walls)
2. classic Yankee Stadium
3. Ebbets
4. Forbes
5. Tiger Stadium
6. Comiskey
7. Fenway
8. Astro dome
9. dodger stadium
10. Shibe

[icee82]

Crosley Field is my favorite old ballpark. I never attended a game but the photos from that park are breathtaking. You might want to look at this park as has been recreated by someone. You can see all of the pics at www.crosley-field.com.

http://www.crosley-field.com/images/weaver/pic015.jpg

[MiamiBaseball]

Believe it or not, I went all the way from Miami to Iowa and took this picture. To me this is the best park by far... Field Of Dreams

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Oldskool101/FOD.jpg

[Redondos]

http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/sound/colt1.jpg

[SABR Steve]

Polo Grounds is the ugliest stadium I have ever seen. It went from a decent stadium built to older standards(when they could actually have a stadium with fences only 270' from home place to being the example of greed in the game. Same thing with Tiger Stadium.

I am a fan of the "ancient" ballparks that are overlooked by many. Some of them are real beauties that deserve more respect, like Huntington Ave. Grounds, South End Grounds, and Hilltop Park. Something about the single deck stadiums with lots of space around the outfield for huge standing crowds makes those stadiums simply amazing...


Actually the South End was a double-decker until the fire of 1894.

[Williamsburg2599]

My top 10

1. Polo grounds (i love those short left - right field walls)
2. classic Yankee Stadium
3. Ebbets
4. Forbes
5. Tiger Stadium
6. Comiskey
7. Fenway
8. Astro dome
9. dodger stadium
10. Shibe

Fenway is 7th! c'mon.

[Elvis]

If you want to say the tiger stadium and the polo grounds are the ugliest stadiums that you have ever seen that is your opinion. but many people disagree with you like always.

Although I can't say the Polo Grounds was one of the ugliest stadiums, much of its original beauty was lost in the 1920s. New owner Horace Stoneham took down all the coats of arms of all the teams that ringed the facade and enclosed the stadium adding more seats - most of them lousy.

Look at this photo of how the Polo Grounds used to look before greedy bad baseball seats were added to make capacity 55,000. All the beautiful Roman Coliseum facade frescoes were removed as well.

http://www.ballparktour.com/Polo_Grounds_603.jpg

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

[QUOTE=Elvis9045]Although I can't say the Polo Grounds was one of the ugliest stadiums, much of its original beauty was lost in the 1920s. New owner Horace Stoneham took down all the coats of arms of all the teams that ringed the facade and enclosed the stadium adding more seats - most of them lousy.

Look at this photo of how the Polo Grounds used to look before greedy bad baseball seats were added to make capacity 55,000. All the beautiful Roman Coliseum facade frescoes were removed as well.

[QUOTE]I have seen photos of the polo grounds before its renovation.it would have been nice if they had kept all of the coats of arms for all of the teams and the roman facade frescoes.but i liked the idea of the enclosing and adding of the seats.and i have heard from people that went to the polo grounds that it was not bad sitting in those outfield seats .i enjoyed sitting in the outfield at tiger stadium and the bleachers there 440 feet away from home plate also.
all of the old stadiums were not perfect including ebbets field and yankee stadium.the horseshoe shape of the polo grounds is what made it so unique.again everyone has the right to there opinion.

[Victory Faust]

Nice to see my beloved Tiger Stadium is getting lots of props in this thread. The park at Michigan and Trumbull is No. 1 in my book, too.

I also really dig the "witchcaps" at Boston's South End Grounds. And, in Cincinnati, the Palace of the Fans was an awesome ballpark.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

Believe it or not, I went all the way from Miami to Iowa and took this picture. To me this is the best park by far... Field Of Dreams

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Oldskool101/FOD.jpg
Looks terrible there. Looks like they didnt keep up with it after the movie.