Quick Thoughts on Fifteen Baseball Stadiums

So I went to Shea Stadium yesterday, and saw my beloved Cardinals lose 9 to 1. But in watching this horrific game, I did accomplish a sort-of milestone... I have now been to fifteen major league baseball stadiums. Here are quick thoughts, in chronological order of when I went to each stadium.

Busch Stadium (the old one) in St. Louis - Well, obviously this is my favorite stadium of all time. I am no means objective... this is the stadium I grew up with, and the one where I saw what ESPN says is the 16th greatest home run in major league baseball history. And yes, the best fans in baseball. But beyond that, I really do think it was a great stadium, the best of the hybrid baseball-football stadiums. Not that that's saying much.

Wrigley Field in Chicago - Another stadium that I can't judge on pure objective grounds... I mean, it's Wrigley Field. Yes, I'm required by as a Cards fan to law to laugh and make fun of Cubs fans. But going to Wrigley is really to feel like a part of history. The ivy on the wall... back in the day, Harry Carey singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. And it's integrated in the neighborhood where it sits like no other stadium, anywhere. On objective levels, once you get inside, the stadium has piss poor sightlines and isn't very fan friendly. It's sort of never lived up to expectations. Sort of like some baseball team that plays there.

Comiskey Park (the new one) in Chicago (and yes, I still call it Comiskey) - I don't think this one is as bad as people say it is... sure it missed the boat on the newer stadium philosophy, but it actually does have a little bit of style. As the best postgame fireworks show I've seen. Just wish I would have made it to the old Comiskey.

Milwaukee County Stadium - Wow. This stadium was just what you'd expect from Milwaukee. A big, ugly, metal circle with a baseball field in the middle. Seriously, it looked like the bottom third of a giant beer can, probably Pabst. Worst stadium I've ever been to. But somehow, very representative of Milwaukee. Unlike...

Miller Park in Milwaukee - This was one of the first post-Camden Yards stadium, and they tried to do the same thing but put their own twist on it. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work, and this is probably the worst of the Camden-inspired stadiums. And I don't get retractable domes.

Camden Yards in Baltimore - A great model that has been relentlessly copied... Unfortunately, that means it's not that distinct anymore. But boy, I bet it was great in the beginning. They should get a major league team to play there. The stadium deserves more than a Triple-A team.

PNC Park in Pittsburgh - The BEST of the Camden inspired parks. If I were able to be objective, I'd maybe say this is my favorite stadium, period. Also home to a Triple-A team.

Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia - I went to this stadium specifically to see the hideous Phillies fans boo Scott Rolen after the trade to the Cardinals. It was like an anthropological journey to see Phillies fans in their natural habitat. God, I hate Phillies fans. I don't even really remember the stadium itself.

Yankee Stadium in New York - Fucking Yankees. I saw Roger Clemens get his 300th win against my beloved Cardinals. Fucking hooray. The stadium is pretty good, actually, and of course a big part of history. But if I heard the phrase "26 time world champion New York Yankees" one more time while I was there, I probably would have killed someone.

Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia - Not very interesting for a new stadium. And still full of Phillies fans. I was at two Cubs games, and they were berating CUBS FANS while I was there, and I STILL found them annoying. God, I still hate Phillies fans.

RFK Stadium in Washington DC - Oddly enough, the stadium I've actually been to the most times. Well, I guess it's not that odd seeing as Washington is the only city I've actually lived in with a team. And you know what? RFK wasn't that bad. I have lots of good memories in the place.

Angel Stadium in Los Angeles of Anaheim of Orange County of California of United States of America on North America of the Americas of the Western Hemisphere of Earth - I went on a whim when driving from LA to San Diego. Nice stadium, if a little too Disney/Rally Monkey inspired.

Busch Stadium (the new one) in St. Louis - Not bad... I miss the old Busch though, and this is probably the closest ripoff of all the Camden clones I've been to. I've only been once so far... and Pujols hit 3 home runs that day. I hope he repeats next time I go.

Nationals Park in Washington DC - I really think this is the first new stadium to kind of break the Camden mold... and I like it quite a bit. Lots of good times will be had there.

Shea Stadium in New York - Shithole. As boring as stadiums get. Will not be missed, probably even by most Mets fans. But hey, at least I get to check it off the list.