Scenes From
The Senior Circuit

Views from the ballparks in the
National League West

This is a division rich with excellent ballparks, the best top-to-bottom in the Majors.  Here they are, ranked from first through fifth. 

 

Oh, the Views!

Some parks have nice views from only one angle.  Not Denver's Coors Field!  The shot on the left was taken from The Rockpile, which contains the "cheap seats" high above center field.  The tops of the buildings of downtown Denver can be seen in the background, and the famous outfield fountains are shooting upward in the foreground.  The photo on the right was taken from the first-base-side seats, which is where you can see the Rocky Mountains and, when conditions are right, some of the most fabulous sunsets on earth!  The exterior of this park is equally picturesque.

RANK IN THE DIVISION:  1st out of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT SINCE 1990: 2nd out of 17

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay

The Giants' SBC Park (Pac Bell Park until January 1, 2004) has lots and lots going for it.  Everyone knows about its unbelievable view of the San Francisco Bay.  But did you know about all of the children's activities beyond the left-field stands?  There is a wonderful whiffle-ball field, as well as a long slide (inside the Coke bottle).  There's also the huge sculpture of a glove that you've seen many times on TV.

The exterior of the park is also very well done.  The use of brick and palm trees works really well, and the way it is integrated into this section of the city's downtown is artfully accomplished.

Because it was named the BASEBALLPARKS.COM's Major League New Park of the Year for 2000, we have a special page devoted to SBC Park.  Check it out to see other views of this fantastic facility.  Also, keep in mind that this stadium is so outstanding that it is on the BASEBALLPARKS.COM's Must-See Parks list!

Boy oh boy, I bet Willie Mays and Willie McCovey would have loved to have played in this park.

RANK IN THE DIVISION:  2nd out of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT SINCE 1990:  3rd out of 17

Friar's Heaven

When the Padres moved into Petco Park in April of 2004, they pushed what was already the best ballpark division in baseball into the stratosphere.  Aside from its high ticket and concession prices, there is nothing about this treasure to dislike.

Its location near the Bay and downtown is wonderful.  Its exterior -- from the building materials to the landscaping to the lighting -- is exemplary.  It mixes old and new very well, as the 95-year-old Western Metal Supply Company building is integrated into the interior of the ballpark ... and one corner of this building serves as the foul "pole"!  For more raving comments about this ballpark, as well as a dozen photos, read the in-depth BASEBALLPARKS.COM review of Petco Park.

RANK IN THE DIVISION:  3rd out of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT SINCE 1990: 4th out of 17

Baseball's Palace

Dodger Stadium is truly baseball's "palace."  In the photo on the left, Mike Piazza is up as the sun is starting to set beyond the edge of Chavez Ravine.  This game was in August of '97.  On the right is a scene that many visitors to this park never see -- the view of the massive seating bowl as seen from behind the center-field fence.

RANK IN THE DIVISION:  4th out of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT PRIOR TO 1990:  2nd out of 12

Two Stadiums In One

After seeing games with the retractable roof closed and ones with it open, I can definitely say that I prefer Phoenix's Bank One Ballpark better as an open-air park!  With the roof closed, it reminds me of a cavernous gym, complete with a gym-esque roof panels (see the shot on the left), but with it open, it is an enjoyable place to watch baseball.  I know, I know . . . day games in the dead of summer would be unbearable without the roof closed and the AC on, but night games with the roof open is the preferable way to see the D-backs play.  And by the way, the team makes a very big production out of opening the roof, as is happening in the righthand photo above.  For more views of the "BOB," click here.

RANK IN THE DIVISION:  5th out of 5
RANK AMONG PARKS BUILT SINCE 1990:  15th out of 17

Return to Major League Photo page