12/23/24
March 27, 2008
A collection of Ballparks: Past and Present: In honor of the upcoming 2008 MLB Season, here's a video collection of sights and sounds from your favorite ballpark. Play Ball!
I agree dyams. PNC Park is a gorgeous ballpark. I go to a few games a year and love being able to look out at the city at night. It is a great place to watch a game. I grew up watching the Orioles and Colts at Memorial Stadium. It was a dump of a stadium but I still carry many wonderful memories from that place. You can't even tell where the stadium use to be today. Very sad.
posted by dbt302 at 08:22 AM on March 27, 2008
Yeah, dyams, the implosions were kind of sad. But it was interesting to see the "cookie cutter" stadiums go down, one after the other. I probably won't have the chance to travel to Pittsburgh or Baltimore or to Yankee Stadium before it's tear down, so these videos are the next best thing for me. The stadiums look different but the uniformity of the fans' passion for the game is beautiful. I think I can feel at home in any baseball ballpark.
posted by BoKnows at 08:35 AM on March 27, 2008
Even the cookie-cutter stadiums, when I was a kid, were magical to me. I loved Three Rivers because, for one, back then, it looked cool. And what had taken place inside was magical, too. Clemente played there. Stargell smashing homers. The "Immaculate Reception." I remember sitting near the bullpen, going to get coffee and snacks from the concession stand for pitchers in exchange for baseballs and autographs. And like dbt, I liked Memorial Stadium, too. My best friend growing up was a huge Orioles (and Colts) fan. I loved the view out past the outfield confines, the trees and that one white house. And it was always amazing to me, sitting at a baseball game and imagining where certain football exploits had taken place (back when there were more dual-purpose stadiums). I'd love to have my basement lined with a actual seat from each of the old, classic stadiums. And like some of the clips allude to, the atmosphere outside some of these old, and new ballparks is almost as important as what is indoors.
posted by dyams at 08:56 AM on March 27, 2008
As crappy as the Royals are, Kauffman Stadium is still a wonderful place to watch a game. It was where I got to shake hands with George Brett, and then many years later, Alex Rodriguez while he was playing for Seattle. I used to be the fireworks shooter for every Friday night game. Went to Wrigley several times, and got to see Sammy's 63rd home run during the chase. I have also been to Phill's, Old Busch, Atlanta, Rockies, and Rangers. My next goal is to hit Fenway. Could be this summer.
posted by hawkguy at 09:08 AM on March 27, 2008
Yup! I grew up watching games at the dual-purpose Busch Stadium part deux. The new Busch is great, but my memories come from a cookie cutter as well. I just meant it was interesting to see a pretty uniform change occur all over the country. When Busch II was torn down, the seats were auctioned off for, I think, $300-$500 for a set of two. I was delivering furniture at the time, and brought a new La-Z-Boy to the auctioneer. As a tip, he gave me an authenticated case of dirt from the infield. And he let us look around at most of the inventory, it was neat stuff. I too, can watch those clips all day long.
posted by BoKnows at 09:10 AM on March 27, 2008
I'm not sure if this sort of thing is allowed, so I apologize if it isn't, but for those of you who are thinking it would be fun to see some of these parks in person, I'd highly recommend Sports Travel & Tours. I've been taking trips through them for the past few years, checking out 4 or 5 parks per year, and these guys do a great job and make it fun and easy to see the parks you want to see. I'll have been to the home parks for all 30 teams by the time I finish this year's trip (though I haven't been to the new Busch yet...I did see the old one), and I'll be seeing Yankee Stadium one last time. If you are looking for a fun summer trip, or want to see these parks in person, then this is something to consider.
posted by TheQatarian at 09:34 AM on March 27, 2008
I started at Sportsmans Park or Busch I and Busch II holds some excellent memories for me. I absolutely hate the new ballpark, Busch III and am excited by the fact that the Ball Park Village is falling through. Please some one find a way to clone Gussie Busch and bring back proper ownership.
posted by budman13 at 09:37 AM on March 27, 2008
I've seen those tours advertised and would love nothing better than to go on one. They seem to be run extremely well, and hopefully I'll get to do it in the not-too-distant future.
posted by dyams at 09:38 AM on March 27, 2008
I've always enjoyed this site, and all other ballpark sites. Honestly, I could watch videos like that all day. The ones showing the ballparks being imploded are still a little sad. The Kingdome was horrible, but Three Rivers held a lot of memories for me. That being said, go to Pittsburgh if you have a chance. Go out by the University and see the remnants of the Forbes Field wall and the plaque memorializing where Maz's homer went over Yogi Berra's head. Then take in a game at PNC Park. Absolutely beautiful place. Walk around outside the outfield bleachers overlooking the river and the city. If I had one baseball-related wish it would be that a contender could always call PNC Park home, year after year.