Stadium 20: Minute Maid Park and back deep in the heart of Texas.

Texucation: Like I have said before Texas State Pride lives hard.... It is the only state allowed to fly at the same level as the US flag because they were there own state.

and the only state to have had six flags over the state.

Those that don't know their history, the order is Spanish, French, Mexican, Texas, USA, Confederate, and then USA again.

The second biggest city in the state belongs to Houston... HOT and MUGGY Houston and is home to the Houston Astros. Originally they played in the Astrodome


which was ahead of its time and meant to look futuristic with the concept of the Astros. Also the term Astroturf originated with the artificial turf from the Astrodome. Baseball was played here from 1965 to 1999 until they moved to:

Stadium 20: Minute Maid Ballpark

Originally named Enron Field in 2000 (OOPS!) It has been home to the Astros since 2000 and renamed after the fall of Enron in 2002 as Minute Maid Ballpark

That train does circle the stadium when they hit a home run....

Minute Maid was one of the first in the retractable roof era as they have the same summer time issues there as they do in Miami. The problem though is that it gets very hot in there especially if you are in the upper level...Really puts a damper on you.

They have some other cool nuisances including the short short porch in left field called the crawford boxes.

And a part the juts out in Center field which is great for heckling and standing room

and you may run into this guy...Everything is bigger in Texas

Finally in CF... Tal's Hill which is actually being removed in 2016


I actually do enjoy the Hill there....

Finally the seventh inning stretch...we know there is the standard in most ballparks and no one does it better than Chicago (I'll get to that soon) but in Houston they do things differently.

They really love how the stars are big and bright!!

There are the down falls of course. No real sight lines out there and besides their nuances, Houston really is not too big on their team. Atmosphere was blase at best. Also even though they were ahead of their times in 2000...they have not kept up with it in 2015. We also know how I feel about indoor baseball. For this... Minute Maid falls to 20 on the list.

Next up: Our nation's capital!!

Stadium 21: US Cellular Field and Homer announcers...

Baseball has 162 games and for those who watch it religiously. the guy on TV calling the game for you becomes a part of your household. Rich Waltz and Tommy Hutton have been those two guys for me over time.


If you hear someone else calling the game you cringe... and you could be watching a random Saturday college football game, hear his voice and know who it is.

You definitely want your announcers to get excited for when the game ends and your team wins on a walk off and show disappointment as you feel when something goes wrong. Example Stanton walk off grand slam:

Pretty damn exciting and the announcers let you know it! 

Then on the radio side, you have hall of famer Dave Van Horne making a call on one of the most exciting plays in baseball:

Sticks to  true professionalism and does not let the most exciting play in baseball phase him.... I'm a fan of homer calls I really am, and I wish I could get more on the radio call....

There is homer and then there is this guy:

Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson who is as homer as they come during Chicago White Sox games. Flat out depressed when they win and super overjoyed when they win. You be the judge on The Hawk

So you don't have to watch it all, you get the angry side at first, the depressed side at 4:45 and then happy from 7:15 on... 

I applaud him and I'm sure he lives and breathes White Sox baseball so I commend him for what he does. 

Stadium 21: US Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Home of the Chicago White Sox since 1991 and is located in the oh so scary part of South Chicago. Driving through there is immensely scary. Also the White Sox make it easy and tell you to take the train there since they charge a whopping 22 dollars to park which was the most I've paid throughout my stadium adventure. There is also another part of the park I found strange.... Once you make it to the upper level, they make it thoroughly impossible for you to come back to the lower level. This is the only stadium in which I saw this.

Thanks to some immense begging, they let me move down to the 100 level. Seriously no one else could say that. 

Those are the major pitfalls. The good parts is that the stadium has gone through major renovations over the years and continues to be modernized. There is really no view out there but the atmosphere is quite pleasant. They do enjoy their White Sox and you better not mention the Cubs anywhere there. Unacceptable. 

It still is an older stadium that offers zero sightlines of the city and with its whopping parking and strict no moving to better seats policy, it has to stay on the lower side of the scale. 21

Next up: Back to the Lower right heart of Texas

Stadium 22 Marlins Park and an open letter to the Marlins organization

Up next on the list is Marlins park.... unfortunately it coincides with my frustrations over a team that I have cheered for all my life. I decided to write a letter to the Marlins organization.

Dear Marlins organization,

I have spent many years trying to defend the things you do. I have said they were baseball moves and that they made sense. Quite frankly some of those moves have made sense. Lately, however, the organization has taken a turn for the worst. In terms of this new era of baseball of sabremetrics, the Marlins are one of two organizations based off of ESPN's "The Great Analytics Ranking" that does not even bother with it. Over the past year(s) these have been the major decisions you have made.

- Left the roof open and had to have a rain delay because you did not check the weather report? In Miami... In April? IDIOTS

- Signed Jarred Saltalamacchia to a 3 year 21 million contract even though all the numbers said that he would struggle at Marlins park. You also had a nifty catcher in the minor leagues who you would eventually bring up anyways a year later. Why even bother spending money you hate spending on a guy who now you pay to play for the Arizona Diamondbacks...

-Signed Michael Morse because he was a local kid.... Everyone knew he was on a down slide but since he was a slight upgrade at first that he was worth the risk. 2 years 16 million dollars. That being said you had Justin Bour in the minor leagues and it turns out that he is now the every day starter.

-Brought in Dee Gordon and Dan Haren which were nice acquisitions except it came with two major caveats. One caveat is that the Dodgers are paying ALL of the money for it. 12.5 million dollars. The other is that you lost Andrew Heaney in the deal. If you are wondering how he is doing. 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA with the Angels. Would be nice to have that lefty in the rotation. Especially because it was a money oriented decision

-Brought in Mat Latos because he was a local guy to win now and gave up Anthony DeSclafani who is now doing pretty decent in Cincinnati, but more importantly under team control for the next 5 years!!

-The Stanton contract. You fooled us and fooled us good. Stanton signs the biggest contract in North American sports and we think that you are spending money.... We later find out that the contract is back loaded. Same old same old.

-Finally the last two trades. Basically sold Steve Cishek for peanuts because he was worth 3.5 million dollars and now sold off Latos and Morse AND a high draft pick for guys that will be helping the Greensboro squad. The reason was that the Marlins wanted to take all the money off their books for the players. The Dodgers are now paying the Marlins 25 million dollars this season.

Baseball doesn't work this way Marlins organization. You need to pay a little money to get the good prospects. Sadly you will not open the books to show us where the money is going will you? With every transaction and every deal, you can see the money is just lining the coffers of the pocket of Jeffrey Loria and it is a shame. You made us build you the stadium because you needed the money and now you will not put the money on the field? That's it.... I have had it!!

I am convinced that everything being done is meant to increase the value of the franchise so you can sell after next season to avoid the penalty with the city. Please I implore you Mr. Loria to give us our team back after 2016 and spare us the pain and suffering of your Scrooge like ways. You really do not care about this franchise just like you did not care in Montreal! Let me be able to cheer for winners and owners who care for this team.... Is that too hard to ask?

Sincerely,
All Marlins fans.


Stadium 22: Marlins park.

You tried I guess is what I want to say with Marlins park... Yes it is way better than Sun Life Stadium but what were you thinking? I understand the need for a roof and I understand it must be closed but it really makes it seem cavernous at times. The monstrosity in Center Field for home runs was really meant for Loria's pride more than anything. The fish tank behind home plate that no one can see unless you are actually on the field or sitting next to them? Again why? Finally the colors? I guess we were going for the art thing but I'm sorry I do not buy it.

The "coolest" things that the park has is a bobblehead museum and the over priced Taste of Miami food section. It is nice to get a cafecito at the game but don't charge me 5 bucks for it now!! It does have the modern flavor of being able to look back and see the game at the concession but Marlins park is missing atmosphere and missing flavor. If you are really wondering, they should of and could of done a lot more with this place. 

I guess this place is just something else the Marlins organization got wrong....

Next up: Windy City!

Stadium 23: Angels Stadium and Disney sports movies

You know you grew up watching this movie and got chills...

Angels in the Outfield is still one of my favorites growing up. It had the corny concept that the California Angels were being helped by...well... angels based on a wish of a little kid who thought his dad would come back if the Angels won the pennant. Of course the Angels were owned by Disney at the time so they were allowed to make the movie because of this. Disney also owned the Anaheim Mighty Ducks which produced some more great childhood classics like: 

Mighty Ducks... GOLDBERG....

Mighty Ducks 2... seriously there is a hockey team in Trinidad and Tobago?

Ehhh High school hockey?

These were fun sports movies growing up as a kid that we all remembered. Now all we get are instant duds like: 

Seriously a 40 year who throws fast and plays like 5 minutes in the big leagues....

Indians do not play baseball unless they are from Cleveland....

Disney you used to be cool....

Angels Stadium: 

Coming in at 23 on the list is the older but certainly modernized Angeles Stadium located in Southern Los Angeles in Anaheim. The Angels have played here since 1966 in what sometimes they call the Big A

What makes it cool:

1) Rocks and fountains in left field that go off when the Angels hit a home run.

2) Always perfect weather. They had their first rain out in 20 years the other day. It really doesn't rain in LA.

3) Not the old run down feel of an old stadium

What makes it bleh:

1) No sight lines what so ever

2) No public transportation to get to the stadium. 

3) Does not stand out.

4) Still is old no matter what and still fails to catch up on modern ideas.

I would definitely go back....

Next up: Why in Little Havana why??

Stadium 24. Progressive field and the mistake by the lake....

No one cared about Cleveland until LeBron James showed up. "Mistake by the Lake" is what most people call it. They also want to let you know one important major detail...

HOME OF THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!

Even LeBron James mentions it in his recent movie "Trainwreck" (He actually is funny in it)

I think when people try so hard to convince you that something is really great.... It isn't... Take it away Drew Carey...

I have been to Cleveland twice and both times have been simply astonished about how lame of a city it is. It is the city that annually ranks as one of the worst cities in America to live in. LeBron is the only person who actually wanted to go live in Cleveland....by choice

I also will not mention the nasty sports drought they have. The Cleveland Cavaliers have never won a championship and kept on losing against Michael Jordon. Most famously in "The Shot"

And we know the whole story recently....

Then there is the Cleveland Browns who lost the AFC Championship game to John Elway in "The Drive" and then later had their team moved to Baltimore in the middle of the night! Of course that Ravens team went on to win the Super Bowl.

Finally, the Cleveland Indians... they can only win titles in Movies involving Wild Thing...

The Indians lost the 1995 World Series to the Atlanta Braves (Hard to do) and then came the 1997 World Series.... They were two outs away from the World Series when Jose Mesa blew the save and the Marlins went on to win that World Series. 

(Craig Counsell is now the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers)

See if your city sucks and your town is cursed sports wise...What is the point?

Progressive Field: 

Not

Home for the Cleveland Indians since 1994 is located just south of Downtown Cleveland in the sports district. It is adjacent to Quicken Loans area, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I have been here twice and both times witnessed a win for the Indians (shocker)

Progressive has its highlights including a hall of fame park in center field and an interesting view of the city

The atmosphere in the park is nice as people do care but it falls into the usual pitfalls of the older stadiums. Bad sight lines and hidden concourses make it less than ideal for a ballgame. The traffic around the stadium before and after games is simply horrendous. It was a parking lot getting home after a weeknight game! How is that appealing for anyone coming into the city and trying to get out after. 

Progressive field is not horrendous but it just falls into the OK category as most of the stadiums will start doing until you get into the upper half of the draw. 

Next up: The Disney team!

Stadium 25: Globe Life Park and Texas state love

Texans have an ego... God they have an ego and I love it. There is more state pride in that state than all other states combined. You hear politicians say they come from the great state of  ______ but really only say that because they have to. I feel like most Americans can recognize the state flag of Texas. The best question is if they can recognize their own state flag??

Everything is bigger in Texas they say and they talk a big game. Amazingly Texas, Alaska, and MAYBE Florida are the only states in the Union that are self-sustainable and can be without the United States thanks to their own resources, so if you piss off Texas enough they will just leave!

The state of Texas is home to two of the five largest metropolis areas in the United States. We will focus on Houston later but for now lets talk about the Metroplex of Dallas-Fort Worth. Two separate cities that over time have gotten so big that they have merged to form the Metroplex. In the middle of this Metroplex is the city of Arlington. Home of Six Flags, the Texas Rangers, and the enormously grand Cowboys Stadium. 

This billion dollar stadium is in the backdrop of my focus which is the 25 stadium on my list: 

Globe Life Park:

Globe Life Park has been the home of the Texas Rangers since 1994 and is an open air ballpark. That is a major factor already. Temperatures in North Texas can get very hot during the summer time. During Sunday day games, you may see temperatures rise to triple digits for Sunday games. MLB, however, restricts start times and forces all MLB games to start on Sundays before 4:00 local time unless they are selected for the Sunday night game of the week. They are forced to play in triple digits which is uncomfortable for  both fans and players alike. 

There is no view of the city available as it is pretty closed around the stadium which leaves more room for them to place flags of Texas all over. I counted over 30 Texas state flags around the ballpark! That is a crazy amount. Texas State pride.

The stadium was built with a retro feel which gives it a little bit of novelty and doesn't make it fall down the list. 

Another downfall of the ballpark is the fact that you can not see the game from the concessions as you do in most modern ballparks... If I hear roars, I want to look back and know what happened.

Finally location: 30 minutes from both major cities is not an ideal ballpark location! I had to spend the night in Arlington just to make my Sunday a little bit easier even thought I was far from the action in Dallas and more importantly In and Out Burger that is located there! AHHH

Globe Life is not a bad place to watch a game but compared to others, it simply does not do much for me and thus falls low on the list.

Next up: Who is ready for Cleveland jokes?

Stadium 26: Turner Field and the team with an identity crisis.

The Atlanta Braves, winners of 14 straight division titles from 1991 to 2005 and only one World Series championship during that time, are a proud franchise that actually dates back to 1871. They started as the Boston Bees

Some would say they had an identity crisis growing up as they were:
The Boston Bees

 The Boston Red Caps (no photo found)
The Boston Beaneaters

The Boston Doves

The Boston Rustlers

Boston Braves

Boston Bees (again?)

Boston Braves (Seriously make up your minds!!)

They then moved to Milwaukee to become the Milwaukee Braves

And finally since 1966, the Atlanta Braves

And that is what I found interesting about Atlanta Braves baseball.

Turner Field opened in 1997 after initially being built as the Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympic games. They closed off the stadium and thus created Turner Field.

What stands out:

1) My girlfriend would like everyone to know that if you stand in the left part of the stadium away from the game you see this great view of the city

2) Coca-Cola makes it fun by placing games for kids and placing a HUGE Coke bottle out in left field. This is actually a slide for the kids!

Cons:

1) The cow is scary....

2) The chop. Yes I am a Florida State fan. Yes I know they play that thing ALL the time at a FSU game. As a Marlins fan though, I think it is obnoxious that they must play that chop music every time a Brave does something. We get it! WE GET IT! The cow of course joins in and his eyes get red...SCARY

3) Traffic. The public transportation is very limited to Turner Field and trying to get there is a nightmare on game nights. You will be endlessly stuck in traffic just to get a very extreme parking spot by the highway... The stadium is located south of downtown and most of their fan base is north... So imagine besides Atlanta traffic being historically bad lets add 30000 more people heading south.

4) It is old by modern standards... 1996 is old by the modern new stadium era and really has not been kept up well. Now that they are moving to Sun Trust Park in 2017. They are doing what the Marlins did with Sun Life Stadium and that is stop the upkeep of it. 

I will not miss Turner Field and lets usher in our new stadium and number 33 on the list.

God I hate the Braves...

Next up: Deep in the heart of Texas!