Take a visit to National League ballparks

By David Mullen

With summer vacations being planned, many people like to work in a baseball game as part of their itinerary. I have been lucky enough to see a baseball game in every major league park. Tommy Donahue, manager at Milo Butterfingers at SMU Boulevard and Greenville Avenue, is the only other person that I know in town that has accomplished that feat. So let’s open the gates and look at the National League parks with an occasional bar or restaurant recommendation, as well. 

There are really no bad ballparks in the National League, as so many are new, but Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. is at the bottom of the pack. Like so many of the older ballparks from the 1970s, it has a bit of a cookie-cutter feel. It is a bit far from the historical attractions, although the Metro stops nearby, so one can spend the day at the Smithsonian and easily get a train to a night game.

Milwaukee’s Miller Park and Miami’s Marlins Ballpark are two stadiums that could be skipped. Both have retractable roofs. In Milwaukee, despite Bernie Brewer, cold beer and great bratwursts, Miller Park is as flat as a Miller High Life that has been open for a week. And it is not near downtown. But you can tour the Miller brewery or go to Saz’s State House for ribs or a burger as they are both very close.

And no one goes to Marlins Park, because there is too much to do in Miami. But if you do go, head to the main entrance behind home plate and see the Bobblehead Museum. Encased in a glass display, they represent bobbleheads from all Major League teams with air blowing up from the base so the heads move like you are in a South Beach nightclub. 

St. Louis, Cincinnati and Philadelphia are downgraded for their sameness. At least new Busch Stadium is downtown providing many eating and drinking options. Plus, there is a casino within walking distance.

Great American Ball Park is on the Ohio River, which is pretty. Go to the City View Tavern on Mt. Adams before the game.

Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia is situated with the other sports venues in town for shared parking, which is a nice feature. If there is a sporting event, you know that you are heading over to Broad Street. That’s where all of the professional teams play.   

The largest discrepancy between a former stadium and a new stadium has to be Citi Field in Queens, compared to the awful, but loveable Shea Stadium. Built on the same site, Citi Field is fun, and behind centerfield is a shrine to Shea.  

Chase Field in Phoenix, another downtown stadium, makes you thankful that it has a retractable roof, which is closed during the summer. Coors Field in Denver helped revitalize an area, which makes me long for a downtown Dallas stadium in Deep Ellum, Trinity Groves or Fair Park. 

San Diego’s Petco Park is really convenient and built right in the Gas Lamp district. Go to the Tivoli Bar (established in 1885) before the game, then head over to Petco and let the children run around the park area in centerfield. 

Although traffic is a hassle, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, which opened in 1962, has aged like fine wine. It is beautifully situated in Chavez Ravine, the weather is perfect, and the grass is as green as the inside of a Beverly Hills resident’s wallet.

I still don’t know why Atlanta moved north out of Turner Field, except that the team thinks the economics are better in the north regions of the city. But SunTrust Park is a gem. It is intimate, and has a lot of restaurants and bars in and outside of the park. 

Arlington is stealing ideas from Atlanta for next year’s Globe Life Field. 

PNC Park in Pittsburgh is everything a ballpark should be. It is charming, built on the water, salutes the great Pirate teams of the past inside and outside of the park, is affordable and has great sightlines. And you can go to Mullen’s Bar & Grill before the game. It is right outside of the stadium.

San Francisco’s Oracle Park is also a must. Like Denver, the stadium helped revitalize a rundown neighborhood in San Francisco and is an architectural marvel. And, of course, San Francisco is a great vacation destination.

At Oracle Park, which was built on only 13 acres, the patio at MoMo’s across the street will be full before a game. There are statues outside of the stadium of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Juan Marichal. And, adding to the baseball experience, when the fog clears, there are some of the most spectacular views of San Francisco Bay.

Chicago’s Wrigley Field is my all-time favorite, maybe because Chicago is such a great city. If you arrive in Wrigleyville three hours before a Cubs game, you are late. There is so much fun around the stadium with famous bars and dining spots. And there is always action, even if the Cubs aren’t playing.

We will tour the American League parks next week.