My Top 5 Major League Baseball Stadiums

I’ve always said that between the 2 or 3 major outdoor professional sports, that Major League Baseball stadiums are far more unique and more beautiful than football or soccer stadiums. I realize historically that is because every baseball stadium is allowed to have different field dimensions while football and soccer are in the somewhat similar in length and wide of their playing field by rule. I’ve been to most of the current MLB stadiums, and a few that are no longer around. Here are my top five Major League Baseball stadiums by reason.

Cleveland Guardians – Progressive Field: I had to start with the stadium I’ve been to the most as it is the closest to my hometown. On game day and when it is prepped it is one of the most beautiful IN stadium views with a touch of downtown Cleveland from specific views. To me it has one of the most “feel like home” feelings when you’re inside and seated getting ready for the action. The giant scoreboard just above the bleachers gives off an amazing view. It does suck a bit if you actually sit in the bleachers and it’s behind you, so you don’t get to enjoy it at all.

Texas Rangers – The Ballpark at Arlington(formerly):This stadium used to be the home of the Texas Rangers until 2019 when they vacated the stadium for their new and current(Globe Life Field) stadium. At one point in time for me this was in my opinion, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL in-stadium look. When prepped and ready it looked like a painting if you were walking in through behind home plate or close to it by the first base line seats or third base line seats, it was so cool to look out and see the white steel look that made up the 4-story office building that enclosed centerfield. It was one of its kind at the time and just a cool, clean look.

San Francisco Giants – Oracle Park: Formerly known as Pacific Bell Park, it has the best view if you like the ocean or a water view. You really have to be sitting a little higher behind home plate of down the third base side to get the full effect of what I’m talking about here. During the Barry Bonds era with the Giants and his run at the homerun title, we were introduced nationally to McCovey’s Cove which is over the right field wall which is the mouth of Mission Creek as it meets the bay. It’s just an endless view of beauty that you can catch from a seat inside the stadium.

Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park: If you love the history of baseball, this one had to make the list. When you walk into this place, you can feel the history of the game flow right through you. With the Green Monster in left field and the seats on top of that, you can’t go wrong with visiting the oldest active ballpark in the MLB.

Pittsburgh Pirates – PNC Park: This is easily my favorite stadium in all of the Major Leagues. This is one of, it not the only stadium that truly doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. In other stadiums you can tell when you by the cheapest ticket as opposed to the middle of the road or the most expensive. It’s very hard to find that difference here. Whoever built or designed this thing did a masterful job. No matter where to sit yourself for the game, it is an amazing view. The other reason it is the best in my opinion is if you’re sitting behind home plate or down the third base side at any level you get one of the most beautiful and coolest views of a city. The skyline of downtown Pittsburgh and the view of the bridges including the Roberto Clemente bridge named after the legendary former Pirate are as picturesque as it gets. It easily replaced one of the worst stadiums ever in Three Rivers Stadium that housed both the Pirates and the Steelers until PNC opened in 2001. Even if you hate the city, or hate their sports teams, you have to get here to appreciate one of the best stadiums ever built.