The Emerald City By Way of Chicago
Yankee Stadium, both the new and especially the old, will always hold a special place in my heart. It is where my heroes played and where I learned to love the game of baseball. "The House That Ruth Built" or the new cathedral are a number one, top-of-the list, King of the Hill, A NUMBER ONE!! …but I'm getting carried away here.
One of the things I love to do is experience other stadiums as well. Sometimes it's great to get out of my "New York State of Mind" and hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood. I love to go to games in other ballparks and experience the unique way other fans watch their teams. And no matter if I'm heckled or not (thanks again, Pete from Boston), I enjoy being at a Major League ballpark.
One of my favorite all-time baseball experiences came the first time I set foot inside the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. I think my Dad said it best when he told me, "Mike, Yankee Stadium is the best place on earth to watch baseball, but Wrigley is the best place to be a part of a baseball game." It really is. I sat there above then-Cubs star Moises Alou in left field and loved every second of the game. My friend Rob and I watched a Mother’s Day game against the Rockies that included three rain delays and went into extra innings. It was a blast, and the Cubs ended the game with a dramatic, walk-off win. I'll never forget it. After the game I was in Wrigleyville hanging with Cubs fans and I almost cared that they won…almost.
I've seen a fair share of ballparks, but the one I'm most looking forward to seeing is Safeco Field in Seattle. One of my best friends and college roommates hails from The Emerald City, and I have been up to visit him a few times. Every time I've been to Sea-Town, I go by the Mariners’ home park and tell myself that I will catch a game there. I have not to date.
Fenway is also a really great place—yeah, it's true. There really isn't a bad seat in the house at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Dodger Stadium and Minute Maid Park are great and Camden Yards might be as picture perfect a stadium as you will find. I'm looking forward to getting to Safeco, but at the end of the day, it's just about seeing a game at a big league park. There's nothing better.
What is your favorite ballpark? Tweet me @mikeyoh21