This was a unique season in Major League Baseball. Two minor league parks were used for big league games, and since it’s been a while since I’ve published my rankings of ballparks, I thought I’d include them.
The addition of Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, the home of the Athletics for the next three years, and George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which hosted the Tampa Bay Rays because Tropicana Field was being repaired due to damage from Hurricane Milton, bring my number of major league parks visited to 57.
- Oracle Park
Oracle Park might be the perfect major league park. The home of the San Francisco Giants since 2000, it’s still new but because of its location on San Francisco Bay, there are amazing views.
I got to see my first splash hit when Dominic Smith drove a ball into McCovey Cove against Corbin Martin.
I didn’t sample any of the concession stands, but my co-workers say they were very good. I once had a garlic fry, which everyone raves about, but was disappointed.
2. Oriole Park at Camden Yards
I’m eager to see what the ballpark looks like in 2026. It’s still great, but San Francisco has the inherent advantage of a building built on the bay.
There’s a new scoreboard coming next year, which I can’t wait to see, and the sound system, which was improved this year, will be permanently upgraded.
It’s a wonderful place to watch a game, but the concessions could use a boost, and unlike some of the newer parks, the lower concourse is narrow and hard to navigate with large crowds.
3. Wrigley Field
The Orioles played three day games last month there, and it was an enjoyable experience. It’s colorful and intimate. They’ve done a great job at modernizing when possible and they’ve finally gotten the bullpens off the field.
The neighborhood is lively with lots of places to eat and drink.
4. Yankee Stadium
I have Yankee Stadium rated higher than most others do. It’s lively and the fans are into the game. You can still see a glimpse of the subway in the outfield, and though there’s no more Derek Jeter chants, the calling of the roll in the top of the first is still entertaining.
5. Petco Park
A six-game Oriole swing a few weeks ago to San Francisco and San Diego was simply baseball heaven. Two outstanding parks. The home of the Padres is a great place. The weather is always ideal, and the Padres draw well. It’s interesting to not see a tarp at the ready. I’m not sure where they keep it.
6. PNC Park
I wish the Orioles played in Pittsburgh every year. They last played there in the bitter cold of April 2024, and they’ll do it again next year. It’s another picturesque park with views of the Allegany River and downtown Pittsburgh.
Because the Pirates haven’t been competitive recently, PNC Park doesn’t get the acclaim it deserves, but it’s a wonderful place to watch a game.
The city has lots of eating and drinking establishments nearby, and fans can walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to get to the ballpark.
7. Target Field
The home of the Twins is an excellent venue for watching baseball. The scoreboard is large and has lots of information. The ballpark is centrally located, and the people are nice.
There’s nothing that really stands out, and there’s nothing I can say negative about it.
8. Coors Field
I haven’t been there often, but since there’s no other major league franchise within hundreds of miles, the Colorado Rockies draw well. It reminds me of Camden Yards in a good way, and it’s in a neighborhood with lots of entertainment options.
9. Citizens Bank Park
A very underrated park. It helps that the Phillies are good and draw large and enthusiastic crowds. There’s nothing that stands out here, either, but it does have nice views of Center City.
I have to give props to Frank Mazzuca, “Frankie Two Scoops,” who dishes out hearty bowls of ice cream before each game to media members. It’s a good thing the Orioles play only three games every two years.
10. T-Mobile Park
When I first began going there early this century, I had the home of the Mariners ranked higher. It’s certainly a nice place to watch a game, but maybe my ranking has been skewed by moving the press box to an uncomfortable location.
The Seattle Mariners did make it up by serving sushi in the press box during the final game the Orioles played there in August.
11. Fenway Park
I’ve been there dozens of times, and I love going to Boston. Fenway is intimate, but it’s cramped and old. I went on top of the Green Monster for the first time this year, and that would be an interesting place to watch a game.
When it comes to vintage ballparks, Wrigley is much more comfortable than Fenway.
12. Comerica Park
Just because a ballpark isn’t in the top 10 doesn’t mean it’s not a good one. The home of the Tigers has some neat touches, the dirt between home plate and the pitcher’s mound and the Tigers merry-go-round is nice, too.
13. Progressive Field
While I’m sure Fenway is higher on most people’s rankings, Progressive Field is probably lower. It’s a nice place to watch baseball. The scoreboard is great, and the park, which is only two years younger than Camden Yards, still holds up well.
Cleveland has done a great job with revitalizing the area around the ballpark, and it’s not a long trip from Baltimore.
14. Dodger Stadium
A generation ago, Dodger Stadium would be a top three ballpark. It’s easily the loudest outdoor venue in the majors, and the party atmosphere is encouraged.
The stands are never empty, and if you go, make sure you leave plenty of time to get there. The traffic is awful.
15. Kauffman Stadium
The Royals and Kansas City Chiefs, who play across the parking lot, are looking for new homes, and I don’t know why.
Yes, there’s nothing around the ballpark, and it would be great to have some authentic Kansas City barbecue before heading downtown for a game, but this gem still is a wonderful place to visit.
16. Busch Stadium
A perfectly acceptable ballpark with an organ that plays the Budweiser theme during the eighth inning.
17. Minute Maid Park
It’s really loud when it’s closed, but the atmosphere is fun, especially because the Astros have been good for quite a while. There’s some good barbecue on sale here, too.
18. Citi Field
A bit of a disappointment because other than the giant apple, which you’ll see after Mets home runs, there’s nothing that makes you feel like you’re in New York.
19. Truist Park
I’ve only been there three times, back in 2018. It reminds me a lot of Nationals Park, but people like the Battery with its entertainment options. I like The Freeze, who races random fans between innings in Atlanta and always wins despite the fans being spotted huge leads.
20. Nationals Park
The designers were so hell-bent on building a ballpark in Washington that wasn’t Camden Yards south that they built one without character. The neighborhood, which was desolate when the ballpark opened, is bustling now.
21. Angel Stadium
It’s the fourth-oldest big league park, and other than the great “Calling All Angels” pregame hype video, there’s nothing special. The weather is generally wonderful, so there’s that.
22. Great American Ballpark
It’s built along the Ohio River, but like its predecessor, Riverfront Stadium, there’s nothing wonderful about it. The Cincinnati Reds have a lot of tradition, and like Baltimore, baseball and football stadiums are both nearby.
23. Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre has been renovated, and when it’s closed, there’s not much character to it, but Toronto is a wonderful city.
24. American Family Field
I’ve been to nearly every park in the last 10 years, but I haven’t been to Milwaukee since 2014. It’s located on a highway about 15 minutes from downtown. I prefer downtown ballparks, and when it’s closed, it’s claustrophobic.
25. LoanDepot Park
It’s a strange place to watch a game. I’ve only been there with the roof closed, and the atmosphere is dark. It’s about 10 minutes from downtown Miami.
26. Globe Life Field
The Rangers wanted a retractable roof park, and it’s like watching baseball in an airplane hanger. Its predecessor, which was then called Globe Life Park, was more fun.
27. Chase Field
When I was last in Arizona in 2023, it was dark and hard to follow the ball. I’m told it’s much easier now, but domed stadiums aren’t generally my favorite.
28. Rate Field
The Orioles just finished a three-game series there. Fans don’t look like they enjoy coming there. Wrigley is so much better.
29. George M. Steinbrenner Field
I never thought I’d write “I miss the Trop,” but watching major league park in a humid spring training park was hard. Eventually, the Rays will have a new home, probably in Tampa.
30. Sutter Health Field
I’ve never been to a city with a major league sports team where there wasn’t a single fan walking around the city wearing team gear. That was the case in Sacramento. There were a few fans with Athletics caps and shirts in the stands.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.