12/21/24
February 03, 2006
AT&T: Yet another name for Giants ballpark: Delivered.: "The San Francisco Giants said Friday their ballpark will be known as AT&T Park beginning March 1." ZZZZZZZZZZZZ. From PacBell Park to SBC Park to AT&T Park. Did anybody really care about the name? What's the best pro ballpark name that's still being used?
posted by worldcup2002 to baseball at 01:16 PM - 73 comments
What's the best pro ballpark name that's still being used? Football included? Easy, Paul Brown Stadium.
posted by tselson at 01:25 PM on February 03, 2006
Fenway? Wrigley? Or are those technically corporate sponsored names?
posted by NoMich at 01:33 PM on February 03, 2006
Hockey included? Gaylord Entertainment Center
posted by fabulon7 at 01:34 PM on February 03, 2006
What's the best pro ballpark name that's still being used? You didn't stipulate a particular sport so I'll say Soldier Field. It may look atrocious, but it has yet to fall victim of sponsorship and is, in fact, a memorial to soldiers. For baseball, I'd have to say Oriole Park at Camden Yards. I know it's a newer park, but it almost has that resortlike sound to it.
posted by willthrill72 at 01:41 PM on February 03, 2006
You can forget every park that has a corporate name. I think that leaves three Little League fields.
posted by ?! at 01:46 PM on February 03, 2006
We play softball on Cow Patties#1 and #2. Dangerous baselines. Nice mountain views from all sides. Bringing your own beer sucks however. You ever try to get a keg of PBR on a mountain bike?
posted by GoBirds at 01:58 PM on February 03, 2006
I wouldn't place Wrigley Field in the category of corporate sponsorship/naming rights, because it is also the name of the man who owned the team. There was, and is, a personal connection between the city and the Wrigley name. The same used to be true for Comiskey Park. You could put a face on the name, whether you loved him or hated him. Both Wrigley and Comiskey are part of Chicago lore. Too bad the Sox sold out this connection for a couple extra mil. That said, naming rights are sadly here to stay it would seem. I dare say in our lifetimes, we will see corporate purchases of actual team names. Sound unbelievable? Maybe, but I personally don't see an end to it.
posted by qubit at 01:59 PM on February 03, 2006
Call it whatever you want. To me it is Candlestick Park.
posted by dbt302 at 02:07 PM on February 03, 2006
I dare say in our lifetimes, we will see corporate purchases of actual team names. Holy shit! That'll be the day. I can see it now. The Golden State Googles The New England Razors The LA Yahoos That'd be some crazy stuff.
posted by ProSam at 02:12 PM on February 03, 2006
I like the idea that the Toledo Mud Hens play at Fifth Third Field. I'm guessing that's the street corner it's on, but it just rolls off the tongue like a mouthful of hair, don't it?
posted by chicobangs at 02:17 PM on February 03, 2006
As nasty and old and gross as it was, Veterans Stadium will always have a special place in my heart. Also the Snow King Center, home of the Jackson Hole Moose.
posted by GoBirds at 02:27 PM on February 03, 2006
Fifth Third is actually the name of a bank. And it's the worst friggin name. What the hell does it mean?
posted by willthrill72 at 02:29 PM on February 03, 2006
i was thinking that qubit meant like the news corporation dodgers or tribune cubs or rogers blue jays, etc. the best name still around probably has to be madison square garden. even though its not located there anymore, it still rolls off the tongue and has some prestige to it. yankee and dodger stadiums are a close 2nd and 3rd.
posted by nyfan at 02:38 PM on February 03, 2006
Fenway? Wrigley? Or are those technically corporate sponsored names? Wrigley maybe, but Fenway is named after the swamp it was built on, The Fens.
posted by yerfatma at 02:39 PM on February 03, 2006
I have to vote for Busch stadium, the home of my beleived Cardinals. I like the fact that the new stadium is keeping the name.
posted by dropzone at 02:47 PM on February 03, 2006
You're right, nyfan. That's exactly what I meant. Either corporations will replace city names or team names, or any combination of both. It sounds cynical, but I really do think this can happen in the not-too-distant future. There has already been talk, here in Chicago, of selling the naming rights to city parks, playlots, plazas and other public spaces. Let's brace ourselves, shall we?
posted by qubit at 02:51 PM on February 03, 2006
the best name still around probably has to be madison square garden. even though its not located there anymore, it still rolls off the tongue and has some prestige to it. yankee and dodger stadiums are a close 2nd and 3rd. posted by nyfan Well, as long as we're gonna be all "homer" about it, I think there's something magical about the name fenway park. Baseball sounds better in a park. Stadium? Eww. Soldier Field has a nice ring to it also.
posted by justgary at 02:51 PM on February 03, 2006
>>>Call it whatever you want. To me it is Candlestick Park. posted by dbt302 at 2:07 PM CST on February<<< You can't call it candlestick because that is monster park now . Also they are 2 different stadiums that would be the other reason you can't call it candlestick. I personally like Madison square garden
posted by htilammi at 02:56 PM on February 03, 2006
dbt302, you are aware that Candlestick and PacBell (I can't think of it is anything else, sorry SBC and AT&T) are not the same place, right? I like Camden Yards but I also like the BOB, Bank One Ballpark because I think its funny calling a stadium Bob.
posted by fenriq at 03:02 PM on February 03, 2006
Busch is the same category as Wrigley and Comiskey. Call it whatever you want. To me it is Candlestick Park.
That's how most people in San Francisco feel. They still call Candlestick "Candlestick" and not whatever the corporate name-du-jour is. The Giants moved to Pac Bell Park in 2000. People still called it Pac Bell Park when it was renamed SBC Park in 2003. (a lot of people grew up with Pacific Bell as the phone company, so they're nostaligic even though it's a corporate name, too.) The best idea is to name it Willie Mays Field. I dare say in our lifetimes, we will see corporate purchases of actual team names. Sound unbelievable?
Didn't that already happen with the Mighty Ducks?
posted by kirkaracha at 03:04 PM on February 03, 2006
Worst Name - U.S. Cellular Field. The best part about it is that those who haven't continued to call the park "Comiskey Park" or "Sox Park" call it "The Cell," which delivers exactly zero bang for the corporate sponsorship buck.
posted by ChiSox1977 at 03:06 PM on February 03, 2006
I'm partial to Coors Field in Denver. It's a naming deal, but it extends indefinitely, and the Coors name is synonymous with the city. It's also a great stadium plagued by the curse of altitude.
posted by rcade at 03:39 PM on February 03, 2006
Arrowhead baby Lamar Hunt go cheifs
posted by Yvonnne at 03:44 PM on February 03, 2006
NHL - Calgary Saddledome is one of my favourites. It's got local meaning (Stampede) and it is appropriately named (it looks like a saddle). MLB - Fenway Park or Wrigley Field are the ones I like. Kids play baseball in parks and fields. NFL - Soldier Field narrowly edges out Lambeau Field for me. However, if it's the old NFL-Films guys saying the names, then I'd vote for the home of the Green Bay Packers. NBA - Uh. Um...
posted by grum@work at 03:48 PM on February 03, 2006
I cant believe that you all have forgotten the stadium that will be on the other side of the pearly gates YANKEE STADIUM the greatest ballpark on the face of this earth
posted by USAGTO at 03:48 PM on February 03, 2006
grum... it's actually called the Pengrowth Saddledome and I'll be there in a couple hours from now. Cheers
posted by camcanuck at 03:54 PM on February 03, 2006
...Fenway is named after the swamp it was built on, The Fens. I did not know that. Thanks for the edjimication fatty. And USAGTO, we didn't forget, we just chose not to bring that team up. Heh, just kidding. That's got to be the most obvious answer. Maybe too obvious? I don't know. Maybe it's because we all huffed too much glue in 5th grade Arts class.
posted by NoMich at 03:57 PM on February 03, 2006
MLB - Fenway Park or Wrigley Field are the ones I like. Isn't Wrigley the original corporate sponsored field???? Its so classic that we consider it majestic, but really its the same thing as at&t, or safeco, or any other corporately sponsored name.
posted by everett at 03:57 PM on February 03, 2006
uhhhh... sorry, i really slipped when i didn't read the whole thread.
posted by everett at 03:59 PM on February 03, 2006
it's actually called the Pengrowth Saddledome Really? I've gotta stop watching those old Olympic highlight videos. I'm becoming one of those stereotypical Ontarians. ("West of Thunder Bay? Isn't that just flat lands then mountains?")
posted by grum@work at 04:09 PM on February 03, 2006
I personally like "Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field". The ultimate homer. :) For all of the uninitiated masses here, I guess it would be, Lambeau Field, Arrowhead and unfortunately..Yankee Stadium.
posted by stockman at 04:10 PM on February 03, 2006
kirkaracha, you're getting warm. True enough, the Mighty Ducks are named after a Disney product, but I'm talking about the next, inevitable step: replacing city names with corporation names. Like, right now they are the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, right? What I'm talking about is the day when they will simply be the Disney Mighty Ducks. Or, the Mighty Ducks presented by Disney.
posted by qubit at 04:16 PM on February 03, 2006
I can't wait for the texas rangers to be renamed: Walmart rangers of texas. (sarcasm)
posted by chuy at 04:33 PM on February 03, 2006
Either corporations will replace city names or team names, or any combination of both. Here, you can watch the Blue Jays play in the Rogers Centre on Rogers Sportsnet with Rogers cable, or listen on Rogers FAN590, or get updates on your Rogers Wireless phone. TSN, the other sports network, does its share of Jays games, but even then the broadcast is named "Rogers Blue Jays Baseball". At least they've stopped using actual players in their wireless/cable/whatever ads.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 04:44 PM on February 03, 2006
I've always thought that Petco Park in San Diego was an aptly named home for the Padres. Ruff, ruff!!
posted by Termite at 04:44 PM on February 03, 2006
Here, you can watch the Blue Jays play in the Rogers Centre on Rogers Sportsnet with Rogers cable, or listen on Rogers FAN590, or get updates on your Rogers Wireless phone. You guys are getting right rogered with that corporate sponsorship. heh
posted by NoMich at 05:06 PM on February 03, 2006
why dont they name it the willie mays barry bonds park?
posted by arturo at 05:15 PM on February 03, 2006
Call it "The highest bidder".
posted by mykle at 06:01 PM on February 03, 2006
the BOB has since been renamed, Chase Field. Chase bank took over Bank One a few months ago.
posted by nyfan at 06:31 PM on February 03, 2006
NFL: Soldier Field NBA: Madison Square Garden MLB: Yankee Stadium My favs don't play in any of these, unless they are visiting. mykle, I like the way you think. :o)
posted by Steeler_Fan at 06:33 PM on February 03, 2006
what about Municipal Stadium? The original multi-sport facility
posted by Clevelander32 at 06:38 PM on February 03, 2006
Busch Stadium. It has stood the test of time and a demolition!
posted by cardsfan at 07:01 PM on February 03, 2006
Actually, Busch Stadium is the first case of corporate renaming of a sports facility, but in a roundabout fashion. Supposedly, when Anheuser-Busch brewery owner August Busch Jr. bought the St. Louis Cardinals and its home field, Sportsman's Park, from the departed St. Louis Browns (which moved to Baltimore), he wanted to rename it "Budweiser Stadium" after his premier product. The idea was nixed by the Commissioner and other owners. However, they had no problem with Busch naming the stadium after himself. So Sportsman's Park became "Busch Stadium" in 1953. In 1955, Anheuser-Busch began brewing Busch beer.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 07:37 PM on February 03, 2006
NoMich: Here, you can watch the Blue Jays play in the Rogers Centre on Rogers Sportsnet with Rogers cable, or listen on Rogers FAN590, or get updates on your Rogers Wireless phone. There is no truth to the rumor that the Dodgers will move to Toronto and be known as the Rogers Dodgers.
posted by L.N. Smithee at 07:43 PM on February 03, 2006
nyfan: the BOB has since been renamed Chase Field. Chase Field? If it's Sally, I certainly will, and I hope I catch her! I like her, I reeeeally like her!
posted by L.N. Smithee at 07:45 PM on February 03, 2006
Pro Sam: The Golden State Googles...The LA Yahoos As a lifelong resident, I think "Yahoos" should be saved for San Francisco. What about Los Angeles? Perhaps the "L.A. Coke."
posted by L.N. Smithee at 07:49 PM on February 03, 2006
ChiSox 1977: Worst Name - U.S. Cellular Field. The best part about it is that those who haven't continued to call the park "Comiskey Park" or "Sox Park" call it "The Cell," which delivers exactly zero bang for the corporate sponsorship buck. Hey, "The Cell" fits perfectly with the gritty "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" South Side image. The Sox play in pinstriped unis just like Capone's gang. Why wouldn't they play at a place called "The Cell?" Ain't that where guys like them belong? (Just kidding...except for Pierzynski.)
posted by L.N. Smithee at 07:59 PM on February 03, 2006
Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park in that order.
posted by jmizeski at 08:50 PM on February 03, 2006
My top 10: 1. Doubleday Field, Cooperstown, NY. Yeah, it's only a "pro ballpark" one day a year, but it was the field of dreams before anyone knew about the "Field of Dreams." 2. Madison Square Garden, New York. Every time I hear the name, its in the voice of Howard Cosell. And for some reason I like that. 3. Legends Field, Tampa, FL. Yeah, it's a spring training site, and everyone hates the Yankees, but if it was located in Iowa and hosted a small market team, you would love this name. 4. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY. Coliseum is about the best name you can give to an arena. If it wasn't called "Nassau" (and it wasn't located on Long Island) this would be my absolute #1. 5. Soldier Field, Chicago, IL. Similar to MSG in that the name invokes the voice of the guy that narrates NFL Films. 6. Wimbledon, London, England. Pro ball park? It's "pro." There are "balls." It's a "park." 'Nuff said. 7. Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. Pro ball park? It's "pro." There are... alright, I'm going to stop there. Cool name, either way. 8. The ComcastSpectacor Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA. You scoff, but I bet you said it five times to yourself before you read this sentence. 9. Cow Palace, San Francisco. How the hell did "Cow" and "Palace" end up in the same name? 10. The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI. Sounds like the title of a Jane Austen novel.
posted by BullpenPro at 08:54 PM on February 03, 2006
Toledo Mud Hens play at Fifth Third Field. We have a Fifth Fhird Field in Dayton as well.
posted by tselson at 09:46 PM on February 03, 2006
The Corporate Park,they all own the it! Come-in-ski Park, where the snow?
posted by ZGMAD at 09:47 PM on February 03, 2006
By ballpark, I was referring to baseball (given, the thread was about a baseball stadium, duh). And who refers to anything but a baseball stadium as a ballpark? Football fans? C'mon! I'd think you SpoFites would know better. Anyway, I'm pleased to see this post generated some good discussion. And yeah, even tho it's not baseball, I like Madison Square Garden (MSG! what an acronym!), and Wrigley stadium (it may be corporate, but at least it's got a human-sounding name - I think it's the chewing gum family, no?). I also like Fenway Park and Oriole Park. Agree, too, that Candlestick Park is a good name. And, yeah, kirk, Willie Mays Field sure beats AT&T Park, but then again, that name sure ain't hard to beat. On a soccer-related note, I'm glad to see the EPL still has most of its traditional stadium names, although that doesn't look like it will last for long.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:03 PM on February 03, 2006
Bullpen, re: Cow Palace naming origins, I heard that they used to graze and/or auction cattle round about those parts where the stadium now sits. Lemme check with my friends, the Internets ... Ah, yes: Looks like my story isn't as funny (I don't know if it was any less true) as the ones they have listed here. No definitive naming history but still a good read. Formerly home to the SF Warriors and San Jose Sharks, now the home of the Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show. Yeehaw!
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:19 PM on February 03, 2006
By ballpark, I was referring to baseball Fair enough -- I was clearly using the loosest of loose interpretations, but you can consider my main contribution to be "Doubleday Field" and the rest to be bonus (if you liked them) or egregiously off-topic (if you didn't). Bullpen, re: Cow Palace naming origins... Having done no research, I just assumed the name came from the Grand National's connection to cattle in general. Whatever the rationale, those are two funny words to put together. No Fifth Third, but funny. If we're including minor league parks, I'll go with Zephyr Field (New Orleans), Ballpark at Harbor Yard (Bridgeport, CT), Lackawanna County Stadium (Moosic, PA), Isotopes Park (Albequerque, NM), Jackie Robinson Ballpark (Daytona Beach, FL), The Sandcastle (Atlantic City, NJ), Mike Lansing Field (Casper, WY), and Oldsmobile Park (Lansing, MI). All-time favorite ballpark name, though, is Elysian Field.
posted by BullpenPro at 12:42 AM on February 04, 2006
Enron Field and Minute Maid Park . . . way to go Texas!
posted by Sundog at 01:17 AM on February 04, 2006
good thread WC02..Pro Player Stadium no.Miami/so. Lauderdale,altho the way The Fins have played lately might make it a misnomer, but the other sea critters did bring a Wld Series to Sofla...How about the Worst sports venue or single event..Poulan-Weedeater Independence Bowl in S'port,La or Nokia Sugar Bowl? kinda like Cow Palace,you definately don't want to drop your cell phone in your coffee in the morning (tho some of us probably have)...
posted by bobacane at 02:25 AM on February 04, 2006
Here you go...Angels Stadium of Anaheim. That's the name no matter of the team name.
posted by samtana at 02:43 AM on February 04, 2006
Detroit has four major sports teams. Two with stadiums named after sponsors (Lions, Ford Field and Tigers, Comerica Park). The other two do not (Pistons, Palace of Auburn Hills and Red Wings, Joe Louis Arena). Funny how the two teams without the corporate name have done so well recently while the Lions and Tigers continue to suck. Palace of Auburn Hills is my favorite name (although I am kind of biased).
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:02 AM on February 04, 2006
The Sioux Falls Caneries play in the "Birdcage"
posted by daddisamm at 06:16 AM on February 04, 2006
Everybody here seems to be missing the BIG picture. Player salaries have been driven since the seventies by this kind of thing. Corporate sponsorship of stadiums along with the TV deals is what the players make their money on in the end, by the time taxes, leases and other running expences are paid by the stadium owners, there is very little left to go into the players' pockets. Fans do not pay for players in the end anymore, TV and things like "naming rights" do. That is why the fan base is shown no respect by owners or players.
posted by SAVANX at 07:36 AM on February 04, 2006
savanx: That sounds like a dose of flav-r-aid. Do you have a link to any numbers on that? With so many stadiums built by the communities I don't see how "taxes, leases, and other running expenses" are that high. These days, I just don't see owners buying teams that lose tons of money. Remember, MLB owners are (1) businessmen, (2) businessmen, and (3) businessmen. BullpenPro: Re: Churchill Downs. I fear the renaming of the Derby to "Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands" is only the first step to renaming the Downs.
posted by ?! at 08:24 AM on February 04, 2006
Busch may have been one of the first coporate names, but the brewery owned the Cards at the time and old man Busch did have a big say so in the operation of the team. He might have been one of the biggest fans around. I wonder if the high ups at AT&T even know where the stadium is or even name a current player with the Gaints.
posted by dropzone at 09:35 AM on February 04, 2006
Does anyone know if the water channel in right field (McCovey's Cove?) is considered part of the stadium? If so, do the kayakers need tickets? If its open to the public, I can only imagine watching the hand to hand combat when Baroid launches one to pass Ruth & Aaron. There will be 50,000 UFC type of characters tearing each other to pieces.
posted by sandman at 09:43 AM on February 04, 2006
Everybody here seems to be missing the BIG picture. Player salaries have been driven since the seventies by this kind of thing. Corporate sponsorship of stadiums along with the TV deals is what the players make their money on in the end A tiny thought experiment: if the players played for free, would the owners turn down this money?
posted by yerfatma at 10:46 AM on February 04, 2006
Yankee Stadium.....I have chills just thinking about all the ghosts of the past that played there.
posted by 1BronxGirl at 01:04 PM on February 04, 2006
I thought I'd sneak this in - before we moved to Pride Park, Derby County (now Championship, but EPL passim) played at The Baseball Ground. Problem is, baseball was never played there. It originates from a rather rude traditional folk song...
posted by owlhouse at 04:27 PM on February 04, 2006
Problem is, baseball was never played there. It originates from a rather rude traditional folk song... See, American pro sports just cannot get that kind of humor into the mix and, corporate naming rights aside, would never allow a rude anything to be part of an official name.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:57 PM on February 04, 2006
We have a Fifth Fhird Field in Dayton as well. posted by tselson at 9:46 PM CST on February 3 We have one in Grand Rapids, MI too.
posted by skydivemom at 07:52 PM on February 04, 2006
Yeah, but this American wonders what you're talking about. If you're talking about "The Baseball Ground" in Derby, UK then baseball was played there. Fifth Third is easy: The Fifth National Bank merged with the Third National Bank. They considered averaging their names, but someone already ran the Fourth National Bank. Today, some Ohio residents think of the bank as the 125th due to a poor typeface choice in the copy advertisements.
posted by ?! at 08:00 PM on February 04, 2006
We have one in Grand Rapids, MI too. Pretty fun place to enjoy a summer night? A little scary down the baselines, I bet! You guys are in the same league as the Dragons, I think. We've been lucky to see players like Willy Mo Pena, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns. Any success stories out of Grand Rapids? By ballpark, I was referring to baseball Baseball only... Wrigley, Fenway and (gulp) Yankees Stadium. (Riverfront was great but...it's gone.)
posted by tselson at 10:49 PM on February 04, 2006
Baseball? Great American Ball Park. Where the sponsor's name doesn't sound corporate. Perhaps it's just me, but 'Madison Square Garden' is the kind of name that can confuse a person. I still can't accept that it's so-called because it's in Madison Square, rather than being a a square garden. As for 'TD Banknorth Garden'? What the hell?
posted by etagloh at 06:00 AM on February 05, 2006
Well, if you insist on allowing corporate names: Slugger Field in Louisville, KY. Home of the Redbirds, River Bats, Bats
posted by ?! at 09:23 PM on February 05, 2006
why dont they just call it giant stadium.oops i forgot,ownership sells the name to the highest bidder or corporate thief