In the 2011 Fall Classic, you have a team that has won 17 NL pennants and 10 World Series over the years playing a hungry squad searching for its first World Championship. Both the Cardinals and Rangers have championship ballparks, though, so let’s compare them side-by-side.
As we’ve been doing since 2003, here is our “tale of the tape” of the two parks in this year’s Fall Classic. As always, some of the items are a little tongue-in-cheek!
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Inside |  |
Rangers Ballpark |
Busch Stadium |
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| Originally called The Ballpark In Arlington, it opened in 1994 | Year opened | Opened next door to its predecessor in 2006. |
| In an entertainment district between Dallas and Fort Worth | Site | Downtown St. Louis, wedged up against multi-deck freeway |
| Scenes from Texas history in bas-relief friezes on exterior, commercial space beyond CF, Home Run Porch | Special features | Statues of Musial, Schoendienst, Sisler, Gibson and Hornsby |
| David M. Schwartz Architectural Services and HKS | Designed by | HOK (now called Populous) |
| $191 million | Cost to build | $365 million |
| 332′-390′-400′-377′-325′ The deepest point is in deep right-center at 407′ |
Outfield dimensions | 336′-375′-400′-375′-335′ |
| 49,170. 51,746 including standing-room | Seating capacity | 43,975. 46,861 including standing-room |
| Natural grass | Playing surface | Natural grass |
| 2010 was the first, so this is the second | World Series hosted | This is the second |
| Never | Last World Series won by home team | 2006, 4 games to 1 over Detroit |
| 1995, won by the National League 3-2 | All Star Games hosted | 2009, won by the American League 4-3 |
| Nolan Ryan statue in center field | Landmark | Spectacular view of Gateway Arch |
| Pitcher’s nightmare. Yields 50% more HRs than MLB average, making it easiest park in which to hit HRs. Also ranks 1st in runs scored. | Park factors (2011) source: ESPN.com |
Favors pitchers. Yields 24% fewer HRs than average, making it 4th hardest in which to hit HRs. Ranks 25th in runs scored. |
| Fans who fill the seats and who loved their first taste of the World Series in 2010, and now want a championship | Filled with | Simply the best fans in the sport. They’re knowledgeable and respectful of the opposition |
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Outside |  |