I'm thinking about big league ballparks today. I'm a ballpark junkie. I love to go to games almost as much to look around the ballpark as I do to watch the game itself. Together, they are the perfect combination. This is a list of my favorite major league ballparks that I have attended a game in. What are yours? Leave your list by clicking on the comments link at the end of this list.
10. Angel Stadium
In the late 90's, the Anaheim Angels (as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were then known) did a great job of turning an old multi-purpose stadium that was formerly used by both the Los Angeles Rams (remember when LA had a pro football team?) and the Angels in a baseball-only ballpark. Disney owned the Angels then, and the rock formation in the outfield also made me think of the Thunder Mountain Railroad at the theme park. Also, it's probably the cleanest stadium I've ever been in.
9. Turner Field
The home of the Braves, they missed a golden opportunity to name the yard for baseball legend Henry Aaron and instead named it after former team owner Ted Turner. OK, technically, it was named for Turner Broadcasting, but c'mon...we know what that was about. The stadium was built to serve as the Olympic Stadium for the Centennial Olympics in 1996, and Michael Johnson's famous golden-shoe run came here. Following the games, it was refitted as a ballpark. Lots of activity going on at this park, great sightlines, huge hi-def scoreboard and, of course, a great team that produced 14 straight division titles and a World Series title in '95.
8. U.S. Cellular Field
This ballpark gets a lot of grief for being the last park built before the "retro" ballpark building craze began in the 90s. I really like this park, though, and have been to several games here. Good atmosphere, good PA announcer, and you can see the field from the concourses, so never losing site of the game as you stroll around the park.
7. Dodger Stadium
This is a great park, and I was excited to take in a Dodger-Padres game here in 2000. So many great baseball moments have taken place here, including one of the best ever. Almost always great weather, another ballpark with a good PA announcer, world famous Dodger Dogs, and it's hosted eight World Series (although it's been 20 years since the Fall Classic was last played at Chavez Ravine).
6. Wrigley Field
Funny story. The first time I attended a game at Wrigley was when the Cubs hosted the Phillies in 1992. The game was sold out, so my dad and I bought some tickets from a scalper in front of the ballpark. I asked him where the seats were located and he replied, "They're up there, but they're in the park." He was true to his word. Barely. When we found our seats, they were the last two seats at the end of the last row in the upper deck. We were the furthest fans from home plate in the ballpark. But we were in the park, and it has a great atmosphere there. The ivy-covered outfield wall and the seventh-inning stretch are legendary.
5. Fenway Park
In 1996, I was in Boston for a conference. Walking around town, I noticed several banks of lights and thought to myself, "That's gotta be Fenway. I'm gonna go check it out." As I continued walking toward Fenway, I remembered that my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers were in town. Bonus! I purchased an obstructed view ticket, since that was all that were left and found my seat that sat directly behind a pole. I spent nine innings exploring the ballpark and watching the game from any location I could get to. And it was awesome. The next day, I took a guided tour. The fans at Fenway are real baseball fans and real Red Sox fans, which earns props from me. The park is a legend in itself, with the Green Monster, Pesky Pole, the crazy angles, the short porch, the Citgo sign, and the small seating capacity...and that's before you even talk about the legendary players and games. By the way, did you know the New York Yankees once owned Fenway Park? Check out the third paragraph on this page.
4. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
The rest of the way, things get personal for me. I used to live around the corner from this stadium and walk to games here. Originally known simply as The Ballpark in Arlington, it later became Ameriquest Field, only to have its name changed to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington a few years ago. I love this ballpark, even if half the game are played in 100 degree heat. Different parts of the park pay homage to other parks, such as the right field "home run porch" which pays tribute to the right field stands at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. It also hosted the first-ever interleague game (against the Giants). There's not a bad seat in the house (I think I've sat in them all!). A great ballpark, in my opinion.
3. McAfee Coliseum
OK, this is where I start talking about the good 'ol days. I grew up going to Oakland A's games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, when it had orange seats and bleachers in the outfield. Technically, this is the same ballpark, although you wouldn't know it. Al Davis ruined this ballpark to turn it into a football stadium for his Raiders. But, when I was growing up, there was nothing better than to take in a game at the Coliseum, enjoying sunshine, cool afternoons, "Billy Ball," the Bash Brothers, Rickey, Stewart and Eck. The A's deserve better than what they have now. For me, I'm going to remember the good times. (You can see the "old Coliseum" in the last photo near the bottom of the page that is linked to above.) By the way, yell leader Crazy George invented the wave at an A's game at the Coliseum.
2. Comerica Park
No surprise here. I'm going back to the Motor City to wrap up the list. Again, it's a favorite list. It's the current home of the Detroit Tigers, and it hosted the 2006 World Series, which my brother Barry will be quick to remind me was won by his St. Louis Cardinals. There's a ton of stuff going on at this park, from the gigantic carousel and ferris wheel to the even giganticer (new word) scoreboard with two tigers patrolling the top. The outfield features statues of former Tiger greats and a "dancing waters" display that erupts after the Tigers hit a home run. This is a great park where the past meets the present. Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions, is located just beyond the left field wall. When I attended a Tigers game in 2003 (the year the Tigers nearly set a record for most losses in a single season in major league history), a church located just outside the stadium had a giant sign on its roof that read: Pray for the Tigers and Lions here! Funny.
1. Tiger Stadium
Seriously, did you think there would be any other? For me, it's not even close. From 1896-1999, the Tigers played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. During that time, the ballpark was built, rebuilt and added onto several times. It also had it's share of names (Bennett Park, Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, Tiger Stadium), and even had its interior paint color changed from green to blue in the '70s. This yard was awesome. The overhang in right field is legendary, and was even copied by the Texas Rangers, which payed tribute to it in its own stadium. Center field was death valley, reaching 440 field from home plate. The flag pole was located in fair territory in center field. And all my favorite players played here. For me, most of my favorite baseball memories took place at Tiger Stadium.
Others receiving votes (in no particular order): Metrodome (Minneapolis), Busch Stadium (St. Louis), Chase Field (Arizona), Candlestick Park (San Francisco), Kingdome (Seattle).
Showing posts with label Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baseball. Show all posts
Friday, June 6, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ballplayers
Here's my list of all-time favorite baseball players. This list includes only players I have seen play the game (in person or on television) live. Who is on your top 10 list of favorite ballplayers? Let me know in the comments section of this post.
10. Daniel Ortmeier
Played collegiately at Texas-Arlington, helping Mavericks to 2001 NCAA Tournament. Now an infielder and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.
9. John Smoltz
Former Detroit farmhand was traded to Atlanta in a trade deadline deal in 1987 for Doyle Alexander, who led the Tigers to the AL East crown that year. Smoltz, who struggled in the minors for the Tigers, found new life with Braves, winning a Cy Young award and becoming one of the top hurlers of his era, both as a starter and reliever.
8. Pete Rose
I struggle with this one, as he turned out to be one of the people you would be least likely to call a role model. The fact is, though, when I was a kid, Charlie Hustle was one of my favorite players. I always checked the box score to see how he did at the plate. The all-time hits leader in big league history, his all-out play on the field is legendary. Unfortunately, so are his gambling and poor decision-making abilities. But, in a more innocent time (for me, not him), Pete Rose was one of my favorites.
7. Rickey Henderson
The all-time stolen base leader. When I was a kid in Sacramento, Calif., all the kids on my street used to copy Rickey's batting stance. The greatest leadoff hitter in big league history, Henderson changed the game when he was on base, making him one of the most exciting players of my lifetime. Rickey also loves to refer to Rickey in the third person. Rickey stories are everywhere, and most seem to be about his disinterest in any person other than Rickey. My favorite: when he signed with the Seattle Mariners, legend has it Rickey walked up to John Olerud (who would wear a helmet while he played first base due to an injury incurred when Olerud was in college) and told him, "Hey, I like that helmet. I used to play with a guy in New York who wore one like that." Olerud replied, "Yeah, I'm John Olerud, and we were teammates in Toronto, too." Henderson says that never happened, but even if it didn't, it's still a funny story.
6. Curtis Granderson
From here on out, it's all Tigers, all the time. This is the only current Tiger in my top 10. The centerfielder is one of the most exciting players in the game today, routinely providing highlight catches in the field, and setting the table as Detroit's leadoff hitter. In 2007, he became just the second player in MLB history to collect 30 doubles, 20 homers, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases (Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins became the third later in the year). He's also a great role model and even writes a blog for ESPN.com.
5. Jack Morris
This begins my 1980s Detroit Tigers portion of the blog. Morris is my all-time favorite pitcher, and was the winningest pitcher in Major League Baseball in the decade of the 80s. He went on to win World Series crowns with both the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays, but I'll always remember him as a Tiger. He helped lead Detroit to the 1984 World Series title in a year he also tossed a no-hitter. As a Minnesota Twin, he outdueled another pitcher on this list, John Smoltz, by throwing a 10-inning shutout in Game Seven of the '91 Series.
4. Lance Parrish
The Tigers' catcher provided the power in the middle of the order from 1977 until about 1986. It seemed like he was an All-Star every year when I was a kid, and while he was with the Tigers, he was always considered one of the best catchers in baseball.
2. (tie) Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell
These two belong together on the list. The heart of the Tigers throughout the 80s and into the 90s, Whitaker and Trammell are still recognized as the longest running keystone combination in MLB history, playing just under 2,000 games alongside one another. Both joined the Tigers in 1977 and spent their entire playing careers in The D. Whitaker was Detroit's second baseman until 1995, and Trammell, who spent most of his career at shortstop but was also used as an outfielder late in his career, played one year longer. Both of these guys were named to multiple All-Star teams, and Trammell was the 1984 World Series MVP. Trammell also spent three years as the Tigers' manager, from 2003-06.
1. Kirk Gibson
My all-time favorite athlete, Kirk Gibson was an All-American wide receiver on Michigan State's baseball team and an All-American outfielder on MSU's baseball team when I was really young. He was drafted by the Tigers and eventually called up to the big league club in 1980. Sure, he hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history when he took Dennis Eckersley deep in game one of the '88 World Series (video here), but I'll take the one he hit off Goose Gossage in game five of the '84 Fall Classic that put the series away for Detroit (video here). The ultimate no-nonsense player, Gibson was the 1984 ALCS MVP, and, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodger, was named 1988 National League MVP.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Willie Hernandez, Dan Petry, Aurelio Lopez, Tom Brookens, Darrell Evans, Dave Stewart, Bobby Higginson, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Magglio Ordonez, Todd Jones.
10. Daniel Ortmeier
Played collegiately at Texas-Arlington, helping Mavericks to 2001 NCAA Tournament. Now an infielder and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.
9. John Smoltz
Former Detroit farmhand was traded to Atlanta in a trade deadline deal in 1987 for Doyle Alexander, who led the Tigers to the AL East crown that year. Smoltz, who struggled in the minors for the Tigers, found new life with Braves, winning a Cy Young award and becoming one of the top hurlers of his era, both as a starter and reliever.
8. Pete Rose
I struggle with this one, as he turned out to be one of the people you would be least likely to call a role model. The fact is, though, when I was a kid, Charlie Hustle was one of my favorite players. I always checked the box score to see how he did at the plate. The all-time hits leader in big league history, his all-out play on the field is legendary. Unfortunately, so are his gambling and poor decision-making abilities. But, in a more innocent time (for me, not him), Pete Rose was one of my favorites.
7. Rickey Henderson
The all-time stolen base leader. When I was a kid in Sacramento, Calif., all the kids on my street used to copy Rickey's batting stance. The greatest leadoff hitter in big league history, Henderson changed the game when he was on base, making him one of the most exciting players of my lifetime. Rickey also loves to refer to Rickey in the third person. Rickey stories are everywhere, and most seem to be about his disinterest in any person other than Rickey. My favorite: when he signed with the Seattle Mariners, legend has it Rickey walked up to John Olerud (who would wear a helmet while he played first base due to an injury incurred when Olerud was in college) and told him, "Hey, I like that helmet. I used to play with a guy in New York who wore one like that." Olerud replied, "Yeah, I'm John Olerud, and we were teammates in Toronto, too." Henderson says that never happened, but even if it didn't, it's still a funny story.
6. Curtis Granderson
From here on out, it's all Tigers, all the time. This is the only current Tiger in my top 10. The centerfielder is one of the most exciting players in the game today, routinely providing highlight catches in the field, and setting the table as Detroit's leadoff hitter. In 2007, he became just the second player in MLB history to collect 30 doubles, 20 homers, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases (Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins became the third later in the year). He's also a great role model and even writes a blog for ESPN.com.
5. Jack Morris
This begins my 1980s Detroit Tigers portion of the blog. Morris is my all-time favorite pitcher, and was the winningest pitcher in Major League Baseball in the decade of the 80s. He went on to win World Series crowns with both the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays, but I'll always remember him as a Tiger. He helped lead Detroit to the 1984 World Series title in a year he also tossed a no-hitter. As a Minnesota Twin, he outdueled another pitcher on this list, John Smoltz, by throwing a 10-inning shutout in Game Seven of the '91 Series.
4. Lance Parrish
The Tigers' catcher provided the power in the middle of the order from 1977 until about 1986. It seemed like he was an All-Star every year when I was a kid, and while he was with the Tigers, he was always considered one of the best catchers in baseball.
2. (tie) Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell
These two belong together on the list. The heart of the Tigers throughout the 80s and into the 90s, Whitaker and Trammell are still recognized as the longest running keystone combination in MLB history, playing just under 2,000 games alongside one another. Both joined the Tigers in 1977 and spent their entire playing careers in The D. Whitaker was Detroit's second baseman until 1995, and Trammell, who spent most of his career at shortstop but was also used as an outfielder late in his career, played one year longer. Both of these guys were named to multiple All-Star teams, and Trammell was the 1984 World Series MVP. Trammell also spent three years as the Tigers' manager, from 2003-06.
1. Kirk Gibson
My all-time favorite athlete, Kirk Gibson was an All-American wide receiver on Michigan State's baseball team and an All-American outfielder on MSU's baseball team when I was really young. He was drafted by the Tigers and eventually called up to the big league club in 1980. Sure, he hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history when he took Dennis Eckersley deep in game one of the '88 World Series (video here), but I'll take the one he hit off Goose Gossage in game five of the '84 Fall Classic that put the series away for Detroit (video here). The ultimate no-nonsense player, Gibson was the 1984 ALCS MVP, and, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodger, was named 1988 National League MVP.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Willie Hernandez, Dan Petry, Aurelio Lopez, Tom Brookens, Darrell Evans, Dave Stewart, Bobby Higginson, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Magglio Ordonez, Todd Jones.
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