Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, fans won’t be visiting MLB ballparks any time soon. But when (or if) fans are allowed to return to the stands, those going to Yankee Stadium could be disappointed in the experience.
The Athletic conducted a survey of baseball’s 29 big-league ballparks (leaving out the Texas Rangers new park, Globe Life Field). The survey asks respondents to grade the stadiums on a variety of topics, including location, overall quality, atmosphere, amenities, sight lines and aesthetics. Fans graded each category on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good).
Almost 9,000 people participated in the survey. And what it says about Yankee Stadium won’t make Hal Steinbrenner very happy.
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Yankee Stadium came in 20th place, with an average score of 3.93 out of 5. Here’s why:
New Yankee Stadium still retains a lot of the charm and history of the old ballpark, and Monument Park is still revered by fans. “There’s no other ballpark that can give you that experience,” wrote a reader. But what you love most about the ballpark isn’t steeped in tradition at all. It’s the wide concourses! “Unlike the old stadium, you can actually leave your seat for the bathroom and get back before the next inning,” a reader said. (Generally) clean bathrooms, ample food options, and, with the short porch in right field, a chance to grab a home run ball, are all a plus. Getting here is a breeze with local transportation. For some, though, it’s just not, well, the old stadium, and that still pisses people off. “It’s missing the soul that the old stadium had,” a reader said. There’s a distinct corporate feel here that rankles some people. “… I want it to feel more like a ballpark. Instead, the atmosphere is so corporate every night. It’s pretty much a Hard Rock Café. They try hard to steep things in tradition, but it’s so corporate.” While some feel the ballpark appears bland, and that it’s “priced out the middle class,” many fans still hold the stadium in high regard. “It’s still a living, breathing cathedral to baseball.” — Corey Brock
That’s still one better than the home of the Yankees’ biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox. Fenway Park finished 21st.
Here are the top 10:
1. Oracle Park, San Franciso Giants: 4.79/5
2. Petco Park, San Diego Padres: 4.71/5
3. Target Field, Minnesota Twins: 4.64/5
4. PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates: 4.61/5
5. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles: 4.56/5
6. Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals: 4.53/5
7. Coors Field, Colorado Rockies: 4.51/5
8. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 4.40/5
9. T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners: 4.39/5
10. Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs: 4.38/5
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