Went to the Dodgers vs. Braves game on Monday night , but hadn’t gotten a chance to update the stadium rankings yet. I’ve admittedly always had conflicting views of Dodger Stadium. Unlike some other ballparks, its hard to fit neatly into a category. It’s a bit of a “tweener”, 50 years younger than Fenway and Wrigley, the undisputed classic ballparks. But it’s also 30 years older than Camden Yards, arguably the first modern MLB park. Age alone doesn’t make something a classic. It’s the combination of age, history, quality, and intangibles. I think most people call Dodger Stadium a classic by default, but I have never been fully convinced. I set out to figure out the answer once and for all.
Dodger Stadium has certainly played host to its fair share of historic moments. Probably most memorable was Kirk Gibson’s homerun in the 1988 World Series. Pinch hitting in the bottom of the 9th, barely able to walk, and facing a future Hall of Famer. Gibson gimping around the bases, pumping his arms in celebration. Thinking of that moment has the ability to transport you back in time, conjuring a perfect mental image of Dodger Stadium 34 years ago. The Gibson homerun is so iconic, that it alone is probably sufficient to check off the history box.
Age is one of the factors I get hung up on, but am willing to overlook on account of it’s arbitrary nature. Wrigley and Fenway are over 100 years old, which just sounds historic. Fenway opened the same week that the Titanic sank, a fact that adds absolutely nothing to it’s merits as a ballpark, but arbitrarily makes it sound historic. I waffle back and forth, but I’m going to make the command decision that Dodger Stadium’s 60 year age qualifies it for historic status. I’m feeling generous today.
The quality of Dodger Stadium has never been questioned. Unlike some other stadiums from that era, which could politely be referred to as dumpster fires, Dodger Stadium has stood the test of time. The park isn’t going to wow you with a bunch of extras or thrills, but it has an aesthetically pleasing design, and it’s a fine spot to watch a ballgame. In addition to the physical stadium, the atmosphere is usually excellent. The Dodgers have led the league in attendance every year for almost a decade now, so crowd noise and energy are typically very good. Sometimes the “energy” can get a little out of hand though. If you are planning on bringing your kids to the game, be warned that they may come home with a few salty additions to their vocabulary. I’m guessing more than a few young fans have had the experience of washing down their Dodger Dogs with a nice bar of soap after the game.
Weighing all the factors I’m willing to concede that Dodger Stadium qualifies as a classic ballpark, although maybe in a different category from Fenway and Wrigley. For now it catapults to the top of the rankings. Beating the bottom 3 wasn’t much of a challenge, but I really do like Petco. At the end of the day, Dodger Stadium is just a better place to watch a game if you are a true baseball fan. Petco has all sorts of positives, but it also comes up lacking in a few key areas. If the Padres had the same type of fan devotion as the Dodgers, the comparison would probably be neck and neck, but for now the title goes to Dodger Stadium. Next up on the stadium tour is T-Mobile Park in Seattle, so Dodger Stadium is probably safe atop the rankings for now. The next major challenger will be AT&T Park in San Francisco, which I’m planning on visiting before the end of the month.
- Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
- Petco Park – San Diego, CA
- Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
29. Oakland Coliseum – Oakland, CA
30. Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, FL
That’s a pretty review, Zach. My memories come from hundreds of visits over a lifetime, so I’m biased. It was interesting to read from someone who is trying to make a fair comparison. Turns out I was there the same night you were. 50,000 people on a Monday night is a good example of the energy that takes place, game in game out. The new centerfield plaza has to give Dodger Stadium a nod to stay toward the top of the list.