To say that I have been looking forward to visiting Fenway Park, would be a colossal understatement. Growing up I was a huge Red Sox fan, but this was my first opportunity to see a game in Boston. After so many years watching Red Sox games on TV, my expectations were high, and Fenway definitely delivered.
As baseball’s oldest ballpark, Fenway is chock-full of history and tradition. Fenway Park quietly opened in April 1912, just days after the sinking of the Titanic, which understandably dominated the headlines for a while. Walking around the ballpark, it’s easy to think about all the history that has happened here. You can imagine Carlton Fisk’s walk off home run in the 1975 World Series, with Fisk famously waving the ball fair. You can remember the scene from the 1999 All Star game, unquestionably the greatest All-Star game of all time, featuring great moments from Red Sox legends Ted Williams and Pedro Martinez. Or what about all the classic moments from the 2004 ALCS? It’s safe to say Fenway has played host to it’s fair share of historic moments.
In addition to the historic moments, you also have the history and character of the ballpark itself. In all of professional sports, is there a more identifiable stadium feature than the Green Monster? The Green Monster has become synonymous with Fenway Park, and it certainly adds to the gameday experience. What about Pesky’s Pole in right field or The Triangle in center field? Fenway certainly has unique dimensions, and with over 100 years of history, they’ve each played a role in classic moments. I think part of what makes these stadium features so cool, is the knowledge that we’ll never see another ballpark built with similar dimensions. These days we’re lucky if new ballparks last even 30 years, and they are almost universally cookie cutter in their design. As long as Fenway Park is still standing, it will command respect as one of the great ballparks.
What about the fans? This is Boston after all, known around the country for having passionate, if not slightly obnoxious fans. The analysis here is easy, of all the ballparks I’ve been to, Fenway by far has the best fans and atmosphere. The Red Sox fan base is extremely devoted, possibly best exemplified by the fact that starting in 2003, Fenway sold out every home game for 10 years, 794 games in a row. You also have to tip your cap to the Red Sox, who have embraced tradition more than any other team, helping to facilitate a great fan experience. The most obvious example is the relatively young tradition, started in 2002, of singing “Sweet Caroline” before the bottom of the 8th inning. You also have the singing of “Dirty Water” after every Red Sox victory. These might seem like minor details, but they all add up to create a really awesome fan experience.
Rankings Update
Was there any doubt? This one was easy, Fenway Park has to be number 1.
MLB Ballpark Rankings
- Fenway Park – Boston, MA
- Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO
- Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
- T-Mobile Park – Seattle, WA
- Oracle Park – San Francisco, CA
- Petco Park – San Diego, CA
- Target Field – Minneapolis, MN
- Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, MO
- Nationals Park – Washington, D.C.
- Minute Maid Park – Houston, TX
- Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
- Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ
- Truist Park – Atlanta, GA
29. Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, FL
30. Oakland Coliseum – Oakland, CA
So glad Fenway met all your childhood expectations. You forgot to mention how you had a Red Sox bedspread and wall themed room for many years as a kid. 😊
I can understand a top ranking for Fenway, particularly with your love for the Red Sox. I can’t imagine Wrigley can take a higher spot. I’ve been to both. Fenway has a lot more character. Your description of the dimensions take that into account. When it comes to classic moments it’s only been in the last two decades (with the exception of Fisk’s 1975 home run – they ended up losing that World Series the next night). And wouldn’t you know it, it was a Los Angeles Dodger, current manager Dave Roberts, picked up as a mid-season acquisition, who put the Red Sox on a path to their 2004 World Series Championship with his famous steal of second base. Roberts says that to this day he never has to pay for a drink in Boston.
I am a little puzzled that on that front you could rank Busch ahead of Dodger Stadium. The new Busch Stadium (Busch Stadium #3) is home to no real Cardinal historic achievements, although they do have a great fan base. Dodger Stadium was home to WS Champs in ’63 & ’65, 81 & 88, and most recently 2020. And how about the best game pitched in baseball history? Koufax throws a perfect game with 13 strikeouts while his Cubs counterpart throws a one-hitter. Kirk Gibson’s home run, arguably the greatest in baseball history. Hershiser’s 59 game scoreless streak. Kershaw’s dominance with the lowest ERA of *any* pitcher who has pitched over 150 innings since 1920 (call Kershaw the pitching GOAT, in my opinion). Etc., etc. etc. Fenway #1? I can buy that based on your prose above. I’m going to lobby here for a change in #2 however. Did you see the new Dodger centerfield plaza? Beautiful. The SRO view from the pavillions is really cool. The stadium looks as new now as it did in 1962. Busch as #2? I’d have to see that to believe it. Come on Zach, let’s get an umpire review on that call.