MLB Stadiums Archives - Page 2 of 4

“Someday the Orioles Will Deserve Camden Yards”

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:December 13, 2019

Historic Camden Yards There is a statue of young George Herman Ruth, Jr., at the intersection of Eutaw and West Camden Streets. He is looking toward the sky and dreaming of greatness. Behind the statue called “Babe’s Dream” is Baltimore’s revolutionary Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The ballpark abuts "Pigtown," the historic neighborhood where "The Babe" was born. Ruth's father ran a saloon located near what is now Oriole Park's centerfield. When the stadium was under construction, the team asked archeologists to survey the area to see if there were any artifacts. They found a few bottles and dishes, but nothing noteworthy. Ruth's birthplace - now a museum - is just a few blocks from the ballpark. The house is small, clean, and orderly. If one did not know better, they would assume that it was a happy home. It wasn't happy, and neither is the current day Oriole Park. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a revolutionary ballpark distinguished by many unique elements. However, its beauty unsuccessfully camouflages many of the Orioles and baseball’s problems. The Babe The romanticized version of Ruth's life is like the story of his statue in front of Oriole Park suggests. It's the story of the always hopeful boy who perseveres through life's challenging obstacles to realize his dreams of baseball greatness. At St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, young George meets Brother Mathias, who teaches him baseball. From there, he on his way to fame and fortune. Babe's birthplace. Ruth's childhood was far more traumatic than the romantic legend suggests. His parent's troubled marriage ended in divorce with allegations of his mother's infidelity. His father was an alcoholic. George Jr., the eldest of seven children, felt that his parents blamed him for the loss of the five siblings that died in infancy. The family was poor and relocated often. Young George Jr. (back row center) at St. Mary's.Baltimore Sun George Jr.'s relegation to St. Mary's was akin to parental abandonment. He rarely saw his parents after he moved there. Life at the school was harsh. Food was rationed, all activities were controlled, he slept in a large dorm with little privacy. These experiences colored the rest of the young George's life. Ruth's Rosary that he carried all his life. Ruth was America's first and possibly greatest sports celebrity. The poor kid from Baltimore set extraordinary baseball records and commanded record salaries. However, a realistic view is that his outward gregarious behavior hid a sad and somewhat lost existence. Ruth was a womanizer, likely alcoholic, and died an old man at the young age of 53. Moreover, despite his legendary career, he never garnered the respect needed to realize his dream of managing a major league team. Eutaw Street and Statues Just past the "Babe's Dream" statue is a gate that leads to Eutaw Street. This section of the busy street became a pedestrian thoroughfare that runs between the 120-year-old Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse and the outfield when the ballpark opened. On game days,…

“America’s Most Hated Stadium”

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:November 21, 2019

”it is perhaps America’s most hated sports stadium. Players and coaches deride it. The Oakland Raiders are fleeing it. The lights are breaking, mice are dying in the soda machines, and the sewage that sometimes floods the dugouts has its own Twitter account.” Jack Nicas, "The Beauty of America's Ugliest Ballpark" Over the weekend (September 14 and 15) I visited San Francisco’s Oracle Park. For those two days, I sat in awe of all that the ballpark had to offer. I enjoyed the view of the Bay Bridge, the bay, and the marina that sat behind a ballpark that celebrates all of baseball's glory. However, all good things must come to an end. On Monday afternoon, I walked to the Powell Street Bart Station and left San Francisco for places unknown. The train passed graffiti marred neighborhoods, run-down industrial areas, and troubled city streets. Of course, these sights are not unique to California's Bay Area. I saw similar sights from the elevated trains passing through Queens on the way to Citi Field and through the Bronx to Yankee Stadium. The difference is that, on those trips, there was a baseball oasis at the end of the ride. In contrast, this ride ended at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum. The Monochromatic Abyss The exterior of the stadium is all grey cement and chain link fencing. There is little to suggest that there are other colors in the world. The Coliseum is a monochrome abyss. While it is depressing to look at and has a bad reputation for its inferior amenities, the Oakland fans give the place a certain sense of wonder. It's like they are the survivors of a baseball apocalypse. In Oakland, the game has been reduced to its essential self, all else has been stripped away. The fans that remain, glory in the primitive experience. They are there because they want to watch baseball, little else is necessary. "And when the sand was gone and the time arrived In the naked dawn only a few survived And in attempts to understand a thing so simple and so huge Believed that they were meant to live after the delugeJackson Brown "Before The Deluge" Pre-Game Walking In A chain link covered bridge separates the train station and stadium. The bridge spans railroad tracks, graffiti-covered train cars, and storage shacks. As I cross the bridge, I pass a few locals who have randomly set up portable grills and are selling food. Approaching the stadium, I see two vertical banners on either side of an entrance. One of them represents the A's, the other the Raiders, Oakland's football team that is leaving for Las Vegas. The banners are the first colorful things I see. More chain-link fencing and large "No Reentry" signs surround the entrance I am supposed to use. I'm confused, is there a place to enter? As I walk closer, I see ticket takers and go in. Once inside, I enter a dark and almost empty passageway, with puddles scattered along…

On to California

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:November 10, 2019

California, preaching on the burning shore California, I'll be knocking on the golden door Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine.Jihn Barlow & Robert Hall Weir Go West Young Man Part two of my “Go West Young Man” saga was my weekend trip to San Francisco and Oakland. My faithful readers will recall that this journey started with my short visit to Seattle on Friday, September 13th. When I left Rochester for Seattle the night before, I was in an indifferent mood. I didn't want to go, as I was tired of the travel. Decorated hearts in Union Square Moreover, I also doubted if the trip was a good idea in the first place. I mean, what was I thinking when I decided to make this ambitious, all consuming, thousands of miles trip? However, I had a great Friday in Seattle. My fun walks through the city, and a visit to T-Mobile Park helped me rediscover my traveling, baseball groove. In my groove, yes, but still searching for meaning. Why, why, why am I drifting around the country? What am I running from, and what am I running to? What's in my future? Oracle Park from the bridge over McCovey Cove I was on my way to San Francisco's Oracle Park, one of my favorites. Oracle is on the bay, and its scenic setting provides fans with beautiful views and a cool breeze off the water. I always enjoy going back there. After Oracle, my itinerary took me to Oakland Alameda Coliseum, the last of the ballparks I had never visited. After seeing the A's play on television so many times, I wanted to experience their home field in person. I was also traveling back to the city that had not always been kind. It was the last place I worked before my exile into baseball’s oblivion. Inconsistent San Francisco I didn’t just leave my heart in San Francisco. My First Visit to Oracle Park My first visit to the then-named Pac-Bell Park was around 2003. At the time, I worked with a sorry little consultancy based in Westlake, Ohio, just west of Cleveland. The company branded itself as consultants with advanced skills in analytics and focused on retail. To hear the owners talk, you would think we were "the smartest guys in the room." We weren't. Smart maybe, but the owners over promoted our skills. Oracle Park features famous baseball quotes on its walls. That summer, I was asked to replace a fired employee at two conferences where he had agreed to speak. Since one was in San Francisco, I was able to visit Pac-Bell (now Oracle) Park for the first time. I wasn't the first and certainly not the last to be amazed by the park with its beautiful setting on the water. I remember spending a glorious day in the sun. My Club Level seat was high enough, so I had a beautiful view of the…

Go West Young Man

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:October 14, 2019

Take off the parking brake Go coasting into a different state And I'm not looking forward to missing you But I must have something better to do I've got to tear my life apart And go west, young man And it feels like I've got something to prove But in some ways, it's just something to do My friends turn me around and say, ”You go west, young man."Liz Phair Thursday, September 12th - Rochester, NY Almost a year ago when planning my baseball trip of a lifetime, I couldn't imagine how I would be feeling in the final stretch. It's finally here - the final six ballparks. The schedule is tight. I know I'll survive but admittedly, I'm tired. I don't really want to travel anymore but I am committed to seeing all the 30 parks this season. Tropicana Field I've only been home a few days since I returned from my quick makeup trip to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Sunday. You may remember that I was supposed to go there in May. However, a sudden illness had forced me to cancel the drive from Miami to St. Petersburg. I had to go back. Before the trip to St. Petersburg I spent a weekend at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Prior to this trip, I had been home for almost two weeks, and I enjoyed the extended time off. Also, I was pleased that I could catch up on my blogging, which I don't do when I travel. There is too much to do when I am on the road, I don't have time to write and edit photos. Little League World Series But wasn't my regret and uncertainty about the future the reason I committed to the trip? I wanted to challenge myself and make a clean break from my past. The goal was to find a fresh perspective to ease my state of mind and identify a new direction. Somehow, not wanting to leave home seems like a fundamental part of the experience. So I'm going. At 6:00 PM, I'm on a Delta flight to Seattle, connecting in Detroit. Friday, September 13th - Seattle, WA I'm tired. I was supposed to arrive in Seattle around 10:00 PM PST- but there were mechanical problems in Detroit, and we were delayed for two hours. Unfortunately, I got to my hotel near Pioneer Square around 1:30 AM and fell asleep around 3:00. I sleep for about four hours, wake at 7:00 AM, and can't sleep anymore. After all, my internal clock thinks I am still on the east coast and assumes its 10:00 AM. I'm tired but want to see the city. I've never really explored Seattle. My business travel to the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, outside the city limits, is the closest I've been. Once, I was able to Uber downtown to Safeco Field (now T-Mobile Park) to see the Mariners. Today will be different. Breakfast - The “Biscuit Bitch” I check my phone…

Target Field – Minnesota Nice

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:September 3, 2019

Hot Dogs I started July’s five-ballpark trip around the Midwest with two games at Minneapolis’ Target Field. From there, I continued to Chicago for three games at Wrigley Field, a quick trip to Milwaukee’s Miller Park and then back to Chicago to see Guaranteed Rate Field. My rank for Target Field is slightly above average. I like its downtown location, not to mention the view of downtown from the seats. Additionally, the use of limestone throughout the park and exterior was a great touch. "You're Going to Make it After All" Readers know that I appreciate a ballpark’s intimacy, its focus on the home team’s history, it’s food (especially hot dogs) and beer selection. Other than a relatively weak craft beer selection, Target Field is as good as any of the stadiums I’ve been to. It also has impressive statues all over the place. There is a pub called “2 Gingers” on the second level right behind home plate. Little did I know when I bought my tickets that I was in the sections right in front of the pub. I could walk through the pub to get to my seat! How cool is that? Not that I did too much drinking, just a beer or two, but it’s nice to know that a bar is near if you need it. Fortunately, I stayed in a hotel downtown, so I had the opportunity for nice walks past the Mary Tyler Moore statue and a beautiful mural of Minnesota’s Bob Dylan - a personal favorite. "Don't follow leaders and watch the parking meters" B. Dylan Finally, the Mets were in town, and they were starting their post-all-star game hot streak. They won both games - Alonso hit 474-foot bomb and life was good! July 16: Mets - 3, Twins - 2 July 17: Mets -14, Twins - 4 Around The Park Excellent views of downtown, a plethora of representations of "Bullseye" the Target Dog, fun Minnesota humor and the Metro is right outside. What more do I need? Panorama View From my Seat on the Second Level - 2 Gingers is Right Behind Me Bullseye is Watching.....Even at Night Bullseye Statue.......and Many Others Best T-Shirt Ever!Metro is Right Outside Outside and along one side of the stadium is a timeline of great moments in Twins' history. However, on the other side of the ball park is the real find. There are three cut stone murals by an artist named Craig David. One is "Sustainability Reborn," "A History of Minnesota Baseball," and "Transit Then and Now." A very nice touch. "Sustainability Reborn" by Craig David"A History of Minnesota Baseball"Twins Timeline I score every game. During one of the games, I noticed that one of the Facebook groups I belong to was discussing scoring, I added this photo of my scorecard. I'm a tad compulsive and, among other things, I count and record the sequence of pitches. My scorecard photo resulted in some admiring comments. Honoring Former Players Twins Statuary Statues and pictures…

A Visit to Yankee Stadium

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:September 3, 2019

In my last post, I belabored the “why the new Yankee Stadium should never have been built” point of view. Now that I have that out of my system, I will describe what a visit to Yankee Stadium is like. "Savages In The Box" That Don't Like Boston I've always wanted to see a series between the historic rivals, the Red Sox and Yankees and this was my chance. I also saw the teams play two games in London. As it turned out, the Yankees won all five games, in the two series. It's not my fault, better luck next year to the Red Sox. Yankee Fans Although I was born in the Bronx, I'm congenitally not a Yankees fan. It's in my DNA. I don't have the 'Yankee fan' gene. As I have written, the condition wasn't apparent when I was born. My non-Yankee predilection started to present itself when I was around eight or so. By my early teens, it was clear that I did not have any sort of capacity to appreciate the Yankees. The Fans Since I understand that I have this congenital aversion to all things Yankee, I am being cautious not to be too critical of the Yankee fan experience. I could be missing something that only they can see. I will say that while growing up in New York, "the center of the universe," I noticed that my friends and neighbors had this attitude that they were "in the know.' They always knew the right places to go, the right restaurants to eat at, and the most up and coming books to read, etc. However, my experience was that except for being in the place that everyone else was, or where everyone wanted to be the experience wasn't all it was supposed to be. Craziness Outside The Stadium Yankee fans seem to be similar. Yankee Stadium is the place to be, the place to see and be seen. The fans have a transactional relationship with the team. Brian Cashman (the general manager/President?) gets them a new free agent player or two, always "the shiniest toys” available and they are happy to believe they are part of this winning tradition. However, the days of winning frequent championships are long gone. Yet, Yankee fans walk around the Stadium with what seems to be a sense of entitlement. But as I said, I’ll try and be objective. Getting to Yankee Stadium Much of my baseball travels have included a hotel within walking distance to the ballpark. I like to be about a mile away from the stadium. So, I can't compare all stadiums in regards to the ease of using mass transit to get to them. What I can say is that Yankee Stadium is one of the easier ones to get to. From The #4 Line Station Of the ones I've attended: Target Field in Minneapolis seems uncomplicated, the train stops right out front. However, I haven't tried it.Nationals Park in DC is very easy…

The House That George Built

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:August 26, 2019

The Frieze

I saw three games at "New" Yankee Stadium, the so-called "House That George Built," as my 19th ballpark of the summer. It wasn't my first visit, Mrs. Nomad and I had been there once before, so I knew what the Stadium was like. New and Old Stadiums - New on the Left via www.digitalcentrality.com I believe baseball stadiums are shrines to a team's baseball legacy. Each game played in the park honors that legacy. The stadium itself is perhaps the most visible statement about a team's respect for the past. Additionally, teams honor their greatest players with retired numbers and statues. SunTrust in Atlanta and Yankee Stadium have monument gardens, to name just two examples. Many teams have Hall of Fame areas in their stadiums that provide an important historical connection to the past for the fans of the future. Amateur Fields Occupy the Original SIte The original Yankee Stadium was the “Cathedral of Baseball.” So many vital events occurred at the original site, it's sad that it was torn down. Amateur baseball fields across the street now occupy that site. Building the replacement across the street was in my opinion, a tragic blunder. It's inconceivable that the Yankees, an organization that says it values its legacy and traditions more than almost anything else, demolished the old stadium. Baseball deserved better. The Yankees have broken a few of their other traditions as well. The Yankees Legacy From 1913 to 1922 the Yankees shared Manhattan’s Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants. Giants owner, Charles Stoneham and manager John McGraw found it frustrating that the upstart Yankees were a bigger draw than the World Champion Giants. The Yankees had this kid named Babe Ruth who was in the process of revolutionizing baseball and sports celebrity. Stoneham and McGraw's reaction to Ruth and the Yankees' increasing popularity was to evict them after the 1922 season. The Yankees ownership always wanted a permanent home in the area and built their new stadium right across the Harlem River in the Bronx. Legends Hall at the New Stadium The mammoth Yankee Stadium which people referred to as "The House That Ruth Built" opened at the start of the1923 season. For the next 85 years, Yankee Stadium was the center of the baseball universe. In that span, the Yankees won 39 pennants and 26 world championships. Great Yankee players like Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter thrilled the home town fans. Most of all, some very significant moments in baseball history happened there: Ruth's 60th home run Lou Gehrig's "luckiest man on the face of the earth" farewell Roger Maris' 61st home run Don Larson's World Series perfect game Jackie Robinson stealing home in the World Series Yankee Traditions As The Yankees won championships, they codified a series of traditions. The Yankees have: worn their iconic white pinstripe uniforms since 1912, continuously since 1915 worn plain gray uniforms with block lettered “New York” since 1916, continuously since 1931 never worn names…

Cleveland Rocks!

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:August 14, 2019

Yes, and emphatically, Cleveland Rocks! Fountains at Public Square - a few blocks from the ballpark Cleveland is one of those underrated "rust belt" cities that I never thought got its due. Some only know it as - "the mistake on the lake" where the Cuyahoga River caught fire. However, I always found it to be a cool city with great restaurants, nice places to stay, and friendly people. Finally, Cleveland is a great baseball city. I've been to Cleveland and Progressive Field many times. It was where my father and I ended our baseball journey that started in 1964. As the story goes, it began with him leading me around the ballpark when I was six or so. It ended with me pushing his wheelchair almost 50 years later. He moved to Cleveland - his wife's hometown - in the early 2000s. I worked for a company based outside of Cleveland and was there often. My business travel enabled us to find our way to the ballpark many times. With that said, I had only been back to Cleveland and Progressive Field a few times since we buried dad. This trip was a revelation. Could it be that the city was even better than I remembered? I've always liked Progressive, but in the five years since I've been there, it seems to have gotten even better. Fountain of Eternal LifeWar Memorialin Public SquareTerminal Tower & Old Stone Church Rock & Roll Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Cleveland has been associated with Rock & Roll ever since disc jockey, Alan Freed popularized the term there. The city incorporated the phrase into its branding when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame opened there. Not surprisingly, the All-Star Game captured the city's Rock and Roll lineage. Guitar Logo Each day, I wanted to get down to the city early so I could walk around and take pictures. On Tuesday, as I was entering Public Square - the centerpiece of downtown - I found a kiosk that was displaying Fender guitars painted to represent each team. I especially loved the Baltimore Orioles one that included Baltimore's favorite (rock and roll) son, Frank Zappa. He is a personal favorite. Frank Zappa/ Baltimore Orioles Fender Guitar Naturally, I found the Mets guitar fun. I'm a fan and love all things Mets. Cincinnati's was designed to recognize the 150th anniversary of professional baseball that originated there in 1869. The Reds have been celebrating the first professional baseball team (the Cincinnati Red Stockings) all season. However, it's interesting that the Reds are not descendants of the Red Stockings, the Atlanta Braves are. So in a sense, the Reds are celebrating the Braves' birth. New York MetsCincinnati Reds PlayBall Park I thought that MLB did a credible job selling the joys of baseball at the London Series, but I wasn't blown away. I didn't think there were enough displays or activities, and there certainly wasn't a wide variety of merchandise. However, Cleveland was another story.…

Farewell to Citi Field

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:August 4, 2019

I ended my previous post about Citi Field saying that I couldn't go back. As I was, sitting in this ballpark I love and watching the team that I have been a fan of for over 50 years, I realized, that it's all a bit of a facade. Citi Field is a mere replica of Ebbets Field, located in Queens, not Brooklyn, and the home team is the Mets, not the Brooklyn Dodgers. The organization mimics a modern MLB club, the way its stadium mimics the great ballpark of Fred Wilpon (The Mets owner) dreams. So, I'm saying "Farewell to Citi Field" until things change. NOTE: I'm quite aware that as I started writing this piece, and decided to publish it, the Mets started winning. As of Monday morning August 5th, the team is 15 and 6 since the All-Star break. They are firmly back in contention for a wild card spot in the playoffs. I still stand by my statements herein that the Mets organization and ownership is weak and needs to change. Citi Field at Night I love the team, bleed orange and blue, etc, but I can't handle the owners' mismanagement and poor decision making any longer. The problem is not that the Mets have finished under .500 eight out of the last ten years. The sad fact is that Fred and Jeff Wilpon are horrible owners. They don't seem to want to build a competitive organization focused on putting a great product on the field. The last two years have been especially troubling. Credit Where Credit is Due That's not to say that the Mets front office has not had some successes. Quite the contrary, they drafted and developed last year's Cy Young Award winner - and possible baseball's best pitcher Jacob DeGrom. Additionally, the starting staff is also one of the best. The organization drafted or acquired in the minor leagues a good core of young players. These include Pete Alonso, this year's Home Run Derby winner and possible Rookie of the Year and Jeff McNeil who is in contention to lead the majors in hitting. The Mets will always be my team. I'll read about them and watch them at home, but I can't go to Citi Field until I see something positive from the organization. The Problem Is… Leadership Theo Epsteinslate.com Consider two baseball executives, Jeff Wilpon, and Theo Epstein. Both Wilpon and Epstein became head of baseball operations for their respective teams in approximately 2002. Epstein was hired based on his talent and experience. Wilpon took over when his father bought the team with little ability and no experience. In the approximately twenty years since they assumed their roles, Epstein broke the Boston Red Sox's 96-year and the Chicago Cubs 110-year eras of futility. Meanwhile, Jeff may be considered one of the worst leaders in the game. Jeff Wilpon Jeff Wilponamazingavenue.com Wilpon's defenders could point out that the Mets have come close to winning a championship during Wilpon's tenure. The Mets came…

Fred Wilpon’s Brooklyn Dodger Obsession

Post author:Baseball Nomad
Post published:July 15, 2019

Mrs. Nomad and I made the Subway Series at Citi the last stop on my Midwest Odyssey. The two-week-long odyssey took me through St. Louis, Kansas City, Field of Dreams, the College World Series, and the London Series. Now I was back in the States at Citi Field - a place I refer to as "Fred Wilpon's Brooklyn Dodgers Obsession" - with Mrs. Nomad. From the 7- Line heading out to Citi It's become an annual Nomad family tradition to go to Citi Field. We're Mets fans and its a great place to see a game or two. I rank it high on my list of best ballparks. Citi may also be the best ballpark for food in the major leagues. Unfortunately, as much as I love the place and the team, this may be my last visit to Citi for what could be a very long time. As I will explain in my next post, I'm saying Farewell to Citi. Mets Fan For Life I've been a Mets fan most of my life. As I recount in my "Why Collect Ballparks," I've been intrigued with this beguiling team since my father took me to Shea Stadium for the first time in 1965. My family had moved to St. Petersburg, Florida and the Mets opened a training complex across from my school, Azalea Junior High. I remember riding my bicycle to watch them play the newly minted Montreal Expos in 1969. Later that year, I was in Mr. Wilson's Earth Science class when the Principal announced that this team of assumed misfits had won the World Series. A few years later, we moved back to New York City and I started following my cousin and sister to Shea Stadium and the rest is Nomad history - check out the post, you'll enjoy it. Merchandise....7 Line Army and Alonso t-shirts The point is I love my Metsies. Through thick and thin I start the season with high, usually, delusional hopes and then by July I understand the epic tragedy that reality presents. The Mets usually aren't that good. But I digress, I liked going to Shea Stadium and love Citi Field. Fred Wilpon's Brooklyn Dodger Obsession Fred Wilpon is obsessed with the Brooklyn Dodgers of his youth. He was born in Brooklyn and went to high school with Sandy Koufax. His fondest memory is likely his beloved Dodgers finally winning the World Series in 1955 when he was 18. Wilpon went to Lafayette High School with Sandy Koufax and they remain good friends. Interestingly, they both played on the school's baseball team. I've read that Wilpon was the pitcher and Koufax played first base. If true, I consider it an eery preview of Wilpon's way of getting most things related to baseball backward. Of course, Koufax would become a hall of fame pitcher. Wilpon became a notoriously bad team owner. Citi Field is supposed to honor both of the Met's National League predecessors, the Giants, and Dodgers. However, while it has…