ballpark tours: Nationals Park, 2011

BALLPARK HISTORY

Ballparks are full of history. They each have thier own distinct features, The bricks and ivy in Wrigley, monument park and the mystique of Yankee stadium, the warehouse at Camden, the green monster at Fenway, and more, but when you go to a park its more than to see the game, its to take in the environment. As much as I dislike it, part of going to Turner is listening to the fans do that tommohawk chant. I also enjoy seeing the statues or plaques of players who have contributed to all that history.

Each ballpark also gives you a different perspective of the game. What might be a HR at one park is just a fly ball in another. The site lines, angles and views of a game vary from park to park, even if your sitting in the same general area. Also the in game extras , like the mascot races, or singing the stretch at Wrigley, Sweet Caroline at Fenway, or the 7th inning God Bless America at Yankee stadium.

Another great thing about parks is visiting the local bar near the stadium. Harry Carays and Murphy's in Chicago, Pickles in Baltimore, Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit, Hooters in Anaheim, Rock Bottom Brewery in Denver (and Cinci), Harpoon Brewery in Boston, and Billys sports bar in the Bronx.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Nationals Park, 2011

#15

I went here in June 2011. On the way to Chris's graduation in NY, we spent a couple days in DC, and caught a game here while at it. This was a day game and was very overcast. It was inter league time. They were playing the Seattle Mariners and won 1-0 on a 9th inning walk-off single. The Nats were in the process of one of their best streaks since being in Washington, like 18 of 20, and when I got back to the hotel later Jim Wriggleman stepped down as manager. Something to do with his contract, but still weird.

We will hit this park again on a future trip with Shawn, but this one was with my wife. I knew I would be driving through the area, the Nats were at home, so I wasn't gonna pass it up. The scoreboard is really nice here. It is probably even more impressive at night or at least on a day that isn't overcast. The park doesn't seem to have a bad seat in it.

This is the Red Porch and Red Loft restaurant and bar in CF. Since there is nothing to eat around the outside of the park, and I mean nothing, we had lunch at the porch when the gates opened. It was good food and reasonably priced, especially for a ballpark. Being that the park has been open since 08', you would think they had a few places to grab a bite outside the park. NOT!

One thing I was looking forward to was the "Presidents race". Alot of people consider these things cheesy, but I think it gives each park a bit of personality.
At Nats park, the presidents walk around the park before the game and during the game as well, which is really cool. They were at the CF gate when the gates opened and were walking around. My wife wouldn't go near them, she was a bit freaked out. They are over 8' tall so I guess I understand. Supposedly, Teddy R has never won a race, and he had the lead more than half way through, and then he looked like he just ran out of gas. I got pics of all of them up close, but only put Teddy in the post.

The Nationals do not have a lot of history in DC, but do have their former namesake for history, but unfortunately most of the HOF players from the Expos made their name in other cities.
The following statues at Nationals park are of players from former teams that played in Washington like the Senators.
Frank Howard- Senators

Joshua Gibson- Wasnington Grays- Negro League

Walter Johnson- Washington Nationals 1920-27

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Ranking of Parks

1. Wrigley Field - This is obviously #1 for me. It's a special feeling to walk into Wrigley and see the bricks and ivy and the scoreboard. Walking around Wrigleyville before the game is cool too. Then when it comes time to sing the stretch, its not done better anywhere. I've heard alot of announcers and others say it, "Theres nothing better than day baseball at Wrigley". With all the classic things about Wrigley you cannot describe it well enough to give it justice.

2. Camden Yards - I had driven by Camden 3 or 4 times when I was on trips to Baltimore, and never had a chance to go. Once I did, I dont know why I waited. It is a beautiful park and the one that started the trend of all the new wave ballparks. The warehouse is a great backdrop, and the fact that it is right in the heart of the downtown is great too. Lots of bars to hang at before the game and right across the street from the park.

3. Fenway Park- I have been waiting to go here for years. All the times I went to Boston before I never had the timing right to catch a game. It didn't disappoint. Yawkey Way, the way it is set up is like a huge tailgate party. The history hanging around the outside and inside is awesome. For someone who knows a lot of ballpark history, it helps you imagine what is was like to go to a game 60 years ago. With the updates they have done, they made modern technology blend with old school.

4. Busch Stadium- Being a Cub fan, its hard to rank this high up, but face it, it's sweet. Great exterior and views as you walk up. Beautiful brick exterior. Not a bad seat in the house, and believe me, we moved around alot. The view through the outfield is incredible. This is another stadium that I heard fans say they liked the older one better, like Shea/Citi. It doesn't make sense to me. Its not like those stadiums were classics like Tiger stadium, Wrigley or Fenway.

5. Yankee Stadium (retired)- With my dislike of this franchise, you would think this was lower on the list. But face it, when you walk into Yankee Stadium and think about the history and the players that have played there its pretty amazing. Also, the fans passion in NY is awesome. The roll call is cool too.

6. AT&T Park - The view from this park was awesome. I did the tour on my first trip and a game later on another trip there. It has some great distinct features. The glove and coke bottle are cool, and the way the right field line is set up with the fence that people can see into the outfield from the boardwalk. And of course McCovey cove.

7. Comerica Park - This is a pretty sweet park. The downtown setting is something I always like. The feel as you walk up to the stadium is awesome and kind of pumps you up. The view through the outfield with the skyline is nice as well. We had great views wherever we sat as well. Overall, I cant think if any negatives about this park.

8. PNC Park- The walk up to the stadium across the Clemente bridge was cool. They have lots of historic stuff like statues and plaques around. The backdrop with a view into the city is fantastic, and there is not a bad seat in the house. Nice scoreboard and the light towers were really cool.

9. Citi Field - I really like the look of this stadium. The classic design of Ebbets Field with the modern features. There isnt a bad seat in the park and although there is alot of advertising, it comes together nice and the scoreboards fill out the back of the stadium, and considering the lack of view behind them, thats a good thing. I understand why some Mets fans do not care for it, but it could be worse, you could still be in Shea.

10. Kauffman Stadium- For a park built in the 70's, this is a beautiful park. It's not one of the cookie cutter styles, and has its own look. The recent updates have helped a lot from what I've read. The sitelines are great, you can now stand in front of the fountains and watch from there if you choose. The scoreboard was revamped as well, but mainly the screens. It is awesome. Any pictures you have seen dont give it justice. It blew away my expectations. the only real negative was the exterior. I knew this coming in, but the positives more than make up for it.

11. Angel Stadium - A great exterior and the "big A" outside. The inside is awesome, and great sitelines. Has a great ballpark feel to it. The fireworks shoot out of the rocks when a HR is hit or the game is over with a win. Easy to move around in and wide open. 24oz beers is nice too.

12. Citizens Bank Park- This park reminded me a lot of a bunch of different parks, but I guess I can say that a lot now. The outside reminded me of Turner. The inside had a lok of quirky spots like Petco and Busch. I liked the way the concourses were set up where you can watch the game from pretty much anywhere. They had a lot of spots on the upper levels to just hang and watch a game too.

13. Progressive Field

14. Petco Park - I didn't see a game here but this is a great downtown ballpark. Great cityscape behind park. The warehouse incorporated into the field. I can't wait to go back to see a game there.

15. Turner Field - Its kind of tough for me to rank this park because I've been to it so much, it seems pretty basic, but it does have some nice distinct features. The coke bottle and Chic fil-a cow on the upper deck on the third base line. There is also the drum that they beat on during rallies while the fans do the "chant". Clean site lines and layout. I dont like that the outfield has a gap between the fence and where the bleachers start.

16. Coors Field - Great looking park as you walk up to it. Also great views through the outfield. The mountains in the view are great, when clear. The park is really nice and with the exception of the right field upper deck (see my game post), has great site lines. It was nice to see that I could still drink a Bud Light at Coors field.

17. Progressive Field - This stadium, formerly known as Jacobs field, or The Jake, is a great park as well. It is in the downtown district near the Browns and Cavs stadiums. Heritage Park out past centerfield and is a nice little piece of club history. Good site lines and a nice park. It was a down time for the Indians and the park was 1/2 full, but that place was sold out a lot for a long time.

18. Dodger Stadium - For an older park it was pretty sweet. It definitely had an old school feel to it. The parking rules and moving around the park were a definite negative. I still really enjoyed it and just wish I could have walked around on the lower level for some pics.

19. Minute Maid Park. See Chase and Marlins park. Pretty much the same. It was wicked hot the day we were there, and it was nice having the roof closed and it not being a heat wave during the game.

20. Chase Field. Nice ballpark, very roomy and great views from where ever you sit. It has that retractable roof feel to it, but it was open on the night I was there.

21. Marlins Park- This is a very nice park, even though it is getting ranked here. It is just there is nothing that is "signature" about this park except that hideous thing in center field that spins for HR's. That thing alone makes them lose points. I went all over before the game and there is not a bad seat in the park. After seeing a game at the old park, albeit a long time ago, this park was made for baseball.

22. U.S. Cellular Field - This park was better than what I was expecting in more than one way. The walk up to it from the train was nice and the area didn't seem as bad as people make it seem. The outside was exactly what I expected, very nice and what I had seen in pics. The layout inside was nicer than most pics make it look like. There is not a bad seat in the whole park. The score board basically covers the whole outfield, and closes the park in, but is still nice.

23. Miller Park - This park would have moved up a lot higher except for one thing- the site lines. There is more in my post about it, but basically we moved around a lot and in the bleachers, the wall isn't visible from your seats. Anything hit on the track or deeper (HR) goes out of view. Then, there is no standing room in the OF concourse as well. Besides that, the park is awesome, great approach and atmosphere.

24. Great American Ballpark- This park, while very nice, is overall very basic. The steamboat thing is nice, and there are great views, but still basic. I loved my trip there and had a blast, but it is what it is.

25. Nationals Park- Great ballpark to watch a game in. Not a bad seat in the house. Very nice scoreboard and the presidents race adds to the good time. The exterior is pretty basic, and there is almost no activity outside of the park. I cant really place this much higher, because of the fact that there is nowhere to hang before the game, not even a bar or fast food joint.

26. Oakland Coliseum - Very basic and is more of a football stadium than a baseball park. The A's have played there for a long time, but really need a new stadium to make it more fan friendly.

27. Skydome - When I went there I was pumped up because of the roof. It was a hot summer day and the roof was closed. I guess if it had been opened it would have been better, but overall it wasn't exactly what I expected. It was a nice field and a cool park, but so many others I've been to since are just nicer.

28. Shea Stadium -(retired) Maybe it was the fact that I had already been to Yankee stadium a few times, or maybe it was the exterior, which a lot of Met fans actually liked, which I thought was terrible. Either way, it wasn't great. But once your in your seat and watching the game, not a bad park.

29. Tropicana Field. WHile this park was pretty bad, I still think it was not the worst. I think if it were retractable, and had real, or at least real looking grass, it would be a lot nicer, overall it is a good layout.

30. Joe Robbie- (retired) this is currently last on my list, and looking at the other parks out there, I don't see it losing its position. Its not really that bad considering they took a stadium not built for baseball at all, and converted it into one. Somebody has to be the last. Might as well be this one.

This is only for the parks that I have been to. Wrigley is obviously #1 on my list. There are several things I take into account, the exterior, the scoreboards, the layouts / sitelines, and the "feel" of the stadium.

There are alot bunched up between 6 and 16 in the middle that could go in any order.
Any park that says retired, is obviously no longer used. I still keep them in my list, because, well, I went there.
These are obviously my opinions, and most would probably pick thier teams park.

Top 5's

In addition to the total ranking of all parks, I added this to break down a few key areas that I feel are important to the experience at a ballpark. I am only doing the top 5 in each of these areas. These are only for the parks I have been to and I will adjust as I see more parks.

THE APPRAOCH/EXTERIOR

Some parks when you walk up, have a great feel and visual while some have very little.

1. Comerica Park. The tigers prowling and the total design is the best I have seen, and I dont think it will be overtaken.

2. Wrigley Field. The downtown feel, the marquee, it just takes you in as you approach.

3. Busch Stadium. Beautiful exterior, the statues are set up great, and it just gets better when you go in.

4. Coors Field. Another downtown park that as your coming down the street and see it, you get pumped about going in.

5. Fenway Park. The old school look puts this on the list. Yawkey Way and the banners on the old brick. Classic.

INSIDE VIEW

This is strictly about the look of the field and what you see beyond the park through the outfield.

1. Wrigley Field. The Bricks and Ivy, the rooftops, and the old school scoreboard. Fantastic view to watch a game.

2. Busch Stadium. This is a real close second to Wrigley. The arch, the layout and the buildings behind the park add to the feel.

3. Camden Yards. Great layout and the warehouse in the backdrop completes it.

4. AT&T Park. The bay in the back and all the little quirks along the outfield make for a great visual.

5. PNC Park. The river, the city, the bridges. This park has a great visual. I like the light towers and they blend in with the scoreboard well.

SCOREBOARD

1. Wrigley Field. I know its not flashy, but it is still the best IMO.

2. Kauffman Stadium. This is a little old school with modern updates. Pictures do not give it justice. You gotta see it in person.

3/4. (TIE) Comerica Park and AT&T. Both are great scoreboards that incorporate the lights and fit the feel of the park.

5. Fenway Park. The board down on the monster is awesome. I like old school stuff with modern stuff around it. This park has done that well with all the recent updates.

"THE FEEL"

This is about atmosphere. Take into consideration that it depends on the competition, the time of year, etc,etc...

1. Wrigley Field. Did you even have to wonder?

2. Fenway Park. This place was rocking. It was an emotional time for the city, but the atmosphere was incredible.

3. Yankee Stadium (old). The history. The fans. It was always a great feel to be at a game there.

4. Busch Stadium. The game I went to there was against the Cubs, so it was a little more intense, but I can't see it being any less against anyone else.

5. Camden Yards. Just a great place to watch a ballgame.

Memorable Games

These are games I've been to with key moments that make the game easy to remember.

I have been to 3 games in which a single player hit 3 home runs.

Mark Texiera in ATL on 6/22/08

Arod in KC on 8/14/10

Casey McGhee in Milwaukee on 8/3/11

In a game vs. my Cubs on 7/3/12, Chipper Jones went 5 for 5 with 3 singles, 2 doubles 4 RBI and a stolen base.

I was at the MLB debut of Jayson Heyward when he hit the first pitch he ever saw for a HR. 4/5/2010 opening day.

On 8/5/2011 at Wrigley, Tony Campana (CHI) hit a inside the park HR to lead off the game against the Reds. That's the only one of those I have ever seen live.

On 8/18/2012 the Dodgers hit back to back to back HR's in the 2nd inning of the game vs. the Braves at Turner.

I have never been to a no hitter or pergfect game, but been close a couple of times.

Randy Wells (Cubs) went 7 innings of no hit ball before giving up a hit in the top of the 8th in Atl on 6/2/09

Earvin Santana (Ana) went 6 2/3 perfect innings before giving up the only hit of the game to Justin Upton (Ari) on 6/16/12

For those of you that can remember the glove play, on 6/9/99 Orlando Hernandez (Yankees) had a play vs. the Mets that a combacker hit to him got stuck in his glove, he couldn't get it out so he just threw the glove and all to 1st base. I was there and still see that play from time to time in highlights.

Giants vs. Braves on 10/10/2010 when Brooks Conrad had 3 errors that cost the Braves a 3-2 loss.

We had tickets to Fenway for the weekend following the Boston Marathon in 2013, and it ended up being pretty epic because of all that went on. This was the game.

baseball quotes

"It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!"-Ernie Banks

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

A good cigar is like a beautiful chick with a great body who also knows the American League box scores. ~M*A*S*H, Klinger, "Bug-Out," 1976

Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical. -Yogi Berra

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."- Harry Caray

"What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No cubs." -Harry Caray .

"The only way I'm going to get a gold glove is with a can of spray paint." -Reggie Jackson

"Baseball was, is, and always will be to me the best game in the world." - Babe Ruth

ballpark tours

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Nationals Park, 2011

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