MLB ballparks ranked: Where does Fenway Park stand among all 30?
After visiting all 30 MLB ballparks, where does one of the oldest and most historic fields in the game rank?
This summer I had the pleasure of completing the quest to visit all 30 MLB ballparks. A journey that began in 2014 with my dad, a lifelong baseball fan, saw us completing the milestone in many different trips over the years, from dedicated road trips to finding every excuse to get to a new park during other vacations. This is something that I will never forget, and huge thanks to my dad for taking me along for this ride.
One of the most interesting things about the game of baseball is how different each and every ballpark is from each other. Go to any NBA or NFL game and the field of play is largely the same, there's not a whole lot of room for teams to add a hint of personality to the place they call home.
With baseball, that all goes out the door. From the environment outside the parks to the main concourses, and everything in between, each park allows for teams to provide a fresh experience for fans to kick back and root for their favorite teams.
After finishing the journey this past summer, I immediately made a ranking of all 30 ballparks. The criteria was based on a lot of different things my dad and I made note of throughout our trips ranging from fan experience, food, backdrops, scoreboard styles, and easily the most important, scorecards. Now that all that is out of the way, let's dive in to the rankings.
30. Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays
This will likely come as no surprise to baseball fans, especially with the recent announcement of a new ballpark in St. Petersburg for the Rays to call home. The Trop is in rough shape, with a prime example with their dome being too low forcing high fly balls to become automatic home runs. This was one of the first parks we crossed off the list, and I want it to be clear that I don't wholeheartedly dislike any of them. The Trop had to be somewhere on the list, and thankfully it's only up from here for the Rays.
29. Oakland Coliseum - Oakland Athletics
The Coliseum and Tropicana Field are essentially 30a and 30b on this list, with another team that is preparing to upgrade after spending years in an old and neglected ballpark. The main factor that puts this stadium above the Rays' is it doesn't feel as confined because it was made to be a football arena, the last of its kind still standing. The team deserves a fresh dedicated venue for their own, which they will get upon moving to Las Vegas. I enjoyed the visit to Oakland, and with the ongoing strike from A's fans we got great seats for cheap, unsurprisingly though the home team lost.
28. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals
Not a lot to say about the park in the nation's capital. It was pretty generic with not a lot going on. The cityscape backdrop added some points, and the presidents race is an all-time great middle innings game.
27. Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago White Sox
The south side of Chicago has a great scoreboard out in centerfield, and the flashing pinwheels on top are a nice touch.
26. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees
Yes, I know what you are going to say, but hear me out. There is very little personality in this ballpark. In the heart of the Bronx, it just feels like it's out of place. I'm really not a fan of the strikeout jingle in any park but the one played in Yankee Stadium just irks me. As mentioned before, a big criteria for my dad and I was scorecards, and going around to multiple different places that would normally sell them, employees looked at us like we had three heads when we asked. There was no spot in the stadium that gave them out, at least that we could find. Monument Park is the key selling point and I will check it out in more detail on my next visit to enemy territory.
25. Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers
Another hot take, I just wasn't a huge fan of this park, something that would probably change if I was a fan of the team. There's almost nothing going on, and Los Angeles traffic getting there is brutal. The backdrop is all hills and the atmosphere is almost non-existent. The long history of the park keeps it from being lower on the rankings, but renovations to improve the venue haven't swayed my thoughts.
24. Progressive Field - Cleveland Guardians
This one is pretty generic as well, the right field seats make it tough to see a scoreboard from, and the mini Green Monster doesn't do much for me.
23. Globe Life Field - Texas Rangers
Currently the newest ballpark in the game with all the bells and whistles money could buy, I feel the team sacrificed a lot of personality during the upgrade. Playing in Texas, a dome was certainly needed, but the old ballpark now named Choctaw Stadium had a lot more going on. The outdoor plaza outside is a nice touch, but after walking through the doors the venue felt pretty bland for a team that has seen all-time greats such as Adrián Beltré and Nolan Ryan. Many other stadiums pay homage to the history of their franchises, but that is severely lacking in Texas.
22. Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia is a great atmosphere, very similar to Boston where fans will support the team through thick and thin. This park isn't bad by any means, but having nothing noteworthy kept it lower than some others.
21. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
I know I'm in the minority when I say I wish the team would relocate to a better venue. The history keeps the building standing. I have to admit as biased as it may sound, I think Fenway does a much better job in modernizing a field that is over 100 years old. Like Fenway, there are many obstructed seats. The ivy is iconic, and the roof seating on buildings outside the stadium is a really nice touch, but I can't get myself to put it any higher on the list because of all the glaring flaws.
20. Target Field - Minnesota Twins
Long live the Metrodome, but an upgrade for the Twins was much needed, and this is a really nice one at that.
19. Citi Field - New York Mets
This is our first iteration on the list of an old-timey feel with a great modern touch. Citi Field is great, getting to it is a different story. I love the respect being paid to Shea Stadium with the old bridge being incorporated, and the big apple popping up is a great addition. I hope for Mets fans' sake that this park sees success in future seasons.
18. LoanDepot Park - Miami Marlins
Call me crazy, but I actually loved the weird home run statue, the fish tanks behind home plate, and the lime green outfield walls that have since been removed. Without them the park does feel a bit more bland, but I like the new uniforms and logo from the rebrand.
17. Angel Stadium of Anaheim - Los Angeles Angels
I won't get into the confusion of whether or not this team is really from Los Angeles or not. The rock scultpures in center field create a really nice backdrop, and I saw Daniel Nava hit a walk-off against the Red Sox during my visit here.
16. Rogers Centre - Toronto Blue Jays
Right in the heart of Toronto, this is a really nice ballpark. One of the highest goals on my bucket-list is to spend a night in the Rogers Centre hotel.
15. Great American Ballpark - Cincinnati Reds
One of the things that puts this park ahead of a lot of similar looking ones is the fact that the Reds' Hall of Fame is top notch. A huge museum as well as some interactive parts make this one of the best in baseball, and my dad's favorite player Eric Davis is well represented. If you haven't seen any Eric the Red highlights please check them out, he was electric.
14. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks
Another modern take with an old-timey feel, Chase Field is great. The dome and air conditioning are much needed in the sweltering heat of Arizona, and the Hall of Fame is well done here too. Catching a game from the pool in the outfield is up there on my bucket-list as well. Shoutout to Miguel Castro for throwing me a ball during batting practice.
13. Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers
I've seen a lot of other lists with Comerica much closer to the bottom, something that I didn't find a reason for during my time there. The backdrop overlooks the city, and Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena are literally right next door allowing Detroit to create a sports hub with plenty going on around each venue. The Chevy trucks in the outfield are hilariously out of place and I love them.
12. Minute Maid Park - Houston Astros
Not much to say here, this is a great ballpark. The train overlooking the outfield is a great addition, and I'm a fan of the Crawford Boxes. Good thing they removed the hill and flag in the outfield.
11. Kaufmann Stadium - Kansas City Royals
I understand that the Royals want an upgrade, but I love Kaufmann as well. The waterfalls in the outfield are beautiful, and my dad took one for the team here, sacrificing his hand to snag a home run ball during batting practice.
10. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox
The moment you've been waiting for, Fenway takes the first spot in the top ten. I couldn't get myself to put it any lower, though admittedly based on seating alone it definitely should be. If you've ever sat in the grandstand seats in front of a pole, you know what I mean. I also really wish the Red Sox Hall of Fame was more out in the open. Enough trash talk though, I've seen so many great moments at this place, and it will always have a special spot in my heart. The additions to keep it up to date have been a pleasant surprise, and the Green Monster along with its scoreboard will always be iconic. Like a Cubs fan would say for Wrigley, I couldn't keep it out of the top ten because this building is a second home.
9. Coors Field - Colorado Rockies
Something about the Denver sunset made this park so appealing, that and we also saw a walk-off here from Ryan McMahon. The park design and field are beautiful, and I love the pine trees in the outfield.
8. American Family Field - Milwaukee Brewers
The longest game we saw on our trip saw the Brewers defeating the Pirates in 15 innings. I know the Brewers have been told that the park needs upgrades, but I didn't notice anything on my visit here. Seeing Bernie Brewer go down the slide was incredible, this one is really nice.
7. Oracle Park - San Francisco Giants
It's hard to go wrong with a park that overlooks the bay, and the Giants do it right. The entire outfield concourse is wide open, with plenty of different food and drink options. While we didn't get to kayak in McCovey Cove, this was one of the best parks in the entire league.
6. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals
An overlook with the St. Louis Arch is hard to beat, and this is my pick for the best food in baseball. Seriously, try their brisket sandwich and it will change your life. The Cardinals will see more success here in the future, but they might need to find starting pitching even more than the Red Sox.
5. Truist Park - Atlanta Braves
One of the newest ballparks lives up to the hype. The stadium tour here was the best in baseball, and the atmosphere was amazing as well. Not to mention on your way into the park, the Braves have an outdoor plaza called The Battery, an awesome name for an awesome spot. There's live music out there and lots of food options. I'm happy we got to witness the Tomahawk Chop in person as well, the dimming of the lights made it even cooler.
4. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles
This ballpark is finally getting back the fan attendance it deserves. The venue that started the modern but old-fashioned trend, Camden Yards is one of my absolute favorites.
3. T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
This may be recency bias as this was the last stop on our quest, but T-Mobile Park does it right. Fun fact about this park, it has a total 360 degree unobstructed view of the field from the main concourse, keeping you in the game even while you're making a food or bathroom run. My dad and I were treated like kings here, getting a bonus stop on our tour bringing us to the press room, VIP area, and right up to the field during batting practice. From top notch staff to a great atmosphere, Seattle is one of the best in baseball.
2. Petco Park - San Diego Padres
West coast baseball at its absolute finest, Petco Park is incredible. A close second to Busch Stadium in food options, Petco has something for everyone. There is an entire open field outside the park where vendors can set up, and the ballpark itself is beautiful. The Western Metal Supply Co. Building wasn't allowed to be demolished during the creation of this park, but the Padres turned it into one of the best aspects of their park with mulitple levels of seating up there. Even after getting a bit sad over seeing Xander Bogaerts in a different uniform, Petco Park absolutely deserved to be in the top three.
1. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates
It might be shocking that the Pirates are number one on any list right now, but PNC Park is the real deal. Walking over Roberto Clemente Bridge on the way over, this field just immerses you in the game from the moment you step in. The backdrop is my favorite in baseball, the atmosphere is great, it did everything right for me. I truly hope the Pirates get back to competitive baseball soon in order to give this ballpark the love it deserves.
While some of this list may be controversial, I figured I'd try my hand at the impossible task that is ranking all these ballparks. Each one is great in its own way, and the quest will reopen once new parks are open for business. Another huge thanks to my dad for bringing me on this journey with him, this was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I am happy to share with him.
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