Just came across this asinine survey on SI.com of the best ballparks in the country. I immediately figured to see either Fenway or Yankee Stadium up there as #1. "At least in the top 5" I consented before I clicked on the article -- knowing I'd get worked up with the results. And sure enough I'm worked up. Fenway was 21st; Yankee Stadium 20th. Several of the categories used to tabulate this result are just plain stupid.
Food: What are we rating here? An evening out for dinner and a show? Did you order the blue cheese on the side of your hot wings and it was put on it? Was the hot dog too small for the bun? Seriously, when you go to McDonalds don't expect Spago. Or do and be disappointed. Just realize you're an idiot for doing so. And realize this is an idiotic way to rate a ballpark.
Team Quality: I can see the argument that this brings about. Who's going to go see a bad team play. But how does this affect the ballpark rating? See Hamlet performed by puppets at the Globe. Think it trite. But you're still at the Globe.
Hospitality: Huh? Like, "I really appreciated how other fans took time to flush the toilet before I entered the stall" hospitality? Seriously? I can use another metaphor here, but the bottom line is how does this affect the ballpark?
Promotions: Here's a metaphor: this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Well, second dumbest. The dumbest thing I've heard is "Here's a metaphor: this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Obviously, that's not a metaphor.
Traffic: So does the team with poor team quality have higher traffic scores and vice versa?
For the legitimate categories, Tradition and Fan I.Q., two things that make the simple and large event of attending a baseball game worth doing, Fenway, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley, all ranking high. And I'm not sure what atmosphere means and why the Sox were so low. Nothing beats Landsdowne street pre- and post-game. Also: completely inhospitable as well.
The Indians at the top I don't deny. That's a great, great place to watch a game. But I deny it based on these stupid categories. Seattle? Really? It's top 10. I've been there. Pittsburgh? On Bobble Head day it was fun, maybe Top 20. My Dad hates the White Sox Stadium so I'm deferring to him there. Great American in Cincinnati is the WORST place to watch baseball. The old Riverfront was much better.
Anyway, if you're going to rank ballparks, be intelligible and obvious. Use common sense. Don't try and unhinge the system. Fenway, Yankee Stadium (which they are despicably tearing down), Wrigley, Dodger Stadium, Pac Bell, Cleveland/Jacobs Field/Progressive.
Take your food and promotions and "please" and "thank you", I'm watching baseball.
1 comment:
Since I am being deferred to by Aaron, a comment is warranted. First, I just took a tour of the Pirates Ballpark and really enjoined the smallness of it, the seats were infield focused, the grass was real and the Pittsburg Skyline rising above centerfield is breathtaking (despite that Pittsburg is the sootiest city in America--it wasn't the day I was there--how do they rate cities anyway?) maybe, just maybe eclipsing the Prudential's centinel watch over right field at Fenway.
Why do I say that White Sox stadium is the worst one? One word: CEMENT. IF you've been there, it makes plain sense. Someone forget to add color (this was back in 1993 when dull grey was everybody's favorite color). PLus, when you have to see the game from an altitude to that of the space shuttle, it really is boring.
BTW - Flew over Manhatten at 10pm last night and Yankee Stadium stood out like a beacon! Really nice!
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