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The Great Ballpark Chase: Rank’em Part 2

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(Editor’s Note: Much like giving the star player one final day of rest before the playoff push, we gave our regular contributor, Tim Russell, a week off and he’s coming back fresh and with three posts for your enjoyment this final week of MLB’s regular season. He gives us his rankings of the 19 MLB ballparks he’s visited in person.)

Here’s the second in Tim’s series of ballpark rankings. Check out his entire series at the links below.

While these rankings are subjective, let’s keep in mind, it’s never a bad thing to be at a ballpark. Just some more than others.

#13 – Progressive Field home of the Cleveland Guardians

  • Food and Beverage: 4. Get the Discount Drug Mart club seats. It is worth the extra money, maybe $30-40 more. You get unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks, peanuts, popcorn, and ice cream. Seats are very good down the first base line.
  • Atmosphere: 3.5. Party deck in right field is a good time. Was always a good time, hearing longtime fan John Adams beating his drum in the bleachers. Sadly, he passed away in 2023.
  • Neighborhood: 3.5. Park is downtown, so the casino and a few restaurants and bars are within walking distance.
  • Fans: 3. Fans can be a little apathetic, even if the team is doing well.
  • Accessibility: 4. Park sits right next to I-90. Pretty easy off and on. Big parking structure connected to park with entrance in left field.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 4. Good seats all around the ballpark.
  • Panoramic View: 3. Not a great view, unless you like buildings and the Rocket Financial Arena.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. Big scoreboard in left field, which is hard to see if you have bleacher seats. Heritage Park is nice to walk through with statues and plaques, honoring past players and teams.
  • Final Score: 29/40.
  • Final Thoughts: I’ve been here several times and it’s always a good time. Good, short getaway to see the Tigers on the road.

#12 – Wrigley Field home of the Chicago Cubs

  • Food and Beverage: 3. Nothing super special inside the ballpark, although it has been a few years since I’ve been there.
  • Atmosphere: 5. Old-time ballpark, although it has gone through massive renovations of late.
  • Neighborhood: 4.5. Wrigleyville is hopping with lots of bars and restaurants.
  • Fans: 3. Fans can be a little unruly, especially to non-Cub fans.
  • Accessibility: 3. As usual with a neighborhood park, parking is at a premium. You may have a good walk if you choose to drive. You can also take the subway or El from downtown for an easier commute.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Seating is a little cramped and there are a lot of posts that can block some part of your view during the game.
  • Panoramic View: 3.5. This has gone down since the renovations when the owners put up billboards and scoreboards to block the rooftops.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4.5. Cool looking scoreboard atop the bleacher area in center field. Always fun to watch the “W” or “L” flag raised after a game.
  • Final Score: 29.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: While I may not be a fan of the team or its fans, the park is still fun to visit and soak in the history. It just isn’t remotely close to the charm of Fenway.

#11 – Coors Field home of the Colorado Rockies

  • Food and Beverage: 4. Rocky Mountain Oysters are available here, although I did not partake. Totchos are a tasty item, like nachos but with tater tots. For dessert, they have two types of berry kabobs.
  • Atmosphere: 3.5. Fun park to be around.
  • Neighborhood: 3. It’s in a downtown area, so there is a fair amount of non-baseball things to do, as well as good places to eat.
  • Fans: 3.5. Fans are friendly and fairly knowledgeable.
  • Accessibility: 4. For a downtown ballpark, getting to and from was fairly easy.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3.5. Upper levels are pretty far away from the action. Lower levels offer good seats. The Rockpile in center field offers a cheap way to see the game.
  • Panoramic View: 4.5. What’s not to like about a view of the Rocky Mountains, especially if you make the climb to the Purple Row, mile high seat level.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. Good information on the scoreboard. Be sure to visit the Purple Row, which is exactly one mile above sea level. The higher altitude can cause problems, so take it easy.
  • Final Score: 30/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Any ballpark fan will want to visit the Ballpark Museum, across the street from Coors Field. It’s a small, private collection available for self-guided tours.

#10 – Citi Field home of the New York Mets

  • Food and Beverage: 4.5. Pastrami sandwich is one of the highlights, along with Shake Shack and others along the outfield concourse.
  • Atmosphere: 4. There is a buzz in the air most of the time around the stadium. If you lose your party, just tell them to meet you at the Shea Bridge in right-center field.
  • Neighborhood: 2.5. Not much around, except for the U.S. Open National Tennis Center (Arthur Ashe Stadium).
  • Fans: 4. Fans are more down-to-earth and fun to be around than Yankees’ fans.
  • Accessibility: 4. Like Yankee Stadium, it is quite easy to get to the stadium via the subway.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 4. Good sight lines, even from the upper reaches.
  • Panoramic View: 3. Good view of planes landing at LaGuardia Airport, which is within a few miles.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. The Big Apple raises and lowers with each home run. You can also see the old apple, along with Tom Seaver’s statue outside the stadium. Inside the main entrance, be sure to visit the New York Mets’ Museum.
  • Final Score: 30/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Overall, a fun stadium to visit and enjoy. Not as stuffy as it’s crosstown neighbor.

#9 – Target Field home of the Minnesota Twins

  • Food and Beverage: 3.5. You can’t go wrong with a Kramarczuk Polish Sausage or a Bub’s Gourmet Aussie Pie (sloppy joe or chicken wild rice encased in a flaky crust). Outside, be sure to try a Juicy Lucy at Matt’s.
  • Atmosphere: 4. Lots of party decks in the outfield. Fans are into the game.
  • Neighborhood: 3.5. It’s a downtown park, but there are things to do as well as places to eat.
  • Fans: 4. Fans stay involved in the game, which makes it fun to join in.
  • Accessibility: 3.5. I was on a bus tour, so I didn’t drive, but bus parking wasn’t far from the entrance. Pretty easy drive to and from.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3.5. One of the few stadiums that the average fan has access to almost every area of the park, including some of the inside club areas.
  • Panoramic View: 4. Good view of downtown, as well as the iconic Twins’ logo of Minnie and Paul shaking hands in center field.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. Nice set of statues outside the stadium. Fun party deck in right field.
  • Final Score: 30/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Thankfully, I was here in summer, so I didn’t have to put on any extra layers. Park was a lot of fun. Take the pre-game tour. It’s one of the better ones in MLB.

#8 – Busch Stadium home of the St. Louis Cardinals

  • Food and Beverage: 3. Barbecue is the way to go here, usually with the brisket nachos.
  • Atmosphere: 4.5. Electric atmosphere, especially if the Cardinals are doing well. Ballpark Village just outside the center field gates is the place to be before and after the game.
  • Neighborhood: 4.5. Ballpark Village is across the street and downtown is a few blocks away.
  • Fans: 3.5. Cardinals’ fans know their stuff and are fairly friendly, just not to Cubs fans.
  • Accessibility: 3.5. Close to freeways. Parking can be a little tougher, but is available.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Even in the right field bleachers, the seats are comfortable and easy steps to climb.
  • Panoramic View: 4.5. Great view, looking out from center field of the Gateway Arch and downtown.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. Ballpark Village is the place to be before the game. The Cardinals Hall of Fame is one of the best. Lots of statues of past greats around the stadium.
  • Final Score: 30.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: If you visit, do it on a Cardinals-Cubs series. Fairly intense action, but usually good baseball.

#7 – Great American Ballpark home of the Cincinnati Reds

  • Food and Beverage: 3. Skyline Chili is prevalent here. It’s not bad, but it’s more spaghetti sauce, than chili.
  • Atmosphere: 4. When your scoreboard has the look of an old steamboat, you know you’re going to have some fun.
  • Neighborhood: 3.5. It’s a downtown area. Montgomery Inn Barbecue is one place to visit after the game. Or take a walk across the bridge into Newport, KY, for more options.
  • Fans: 3.5. Pretty decent fans. Fairly loyal despite past down times.
  • Accessibility 4. Best bet is to park in Kentucky and walk across the bridge.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 4. Good sight lines throughout. The stadium feels smaller, so you seem closer to the action.
  • Panoramic View: 4.5. Good view of the Ohio River and boats passing during the game.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. The Reds Museum is probably the best in the league. Fun statues of past greats, including a sliding Pete Rose.
  • Final Score: 30.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Pretty easy drive coming from the Detroit area. Enough things to do to make the trip a nice weekend getaway.

Check back on Friday for Part 3.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Great Ballpark Chase: Rank’em Part 1

timothynrussell1 Comment

(Editor’s Note: Much like giving the star player one final day of rest before the playoff push, we gave our regular contributor, Tim Russell, a week off and he’s coming back fresh and with three posts for your enjoyment this final week of MLB’s regular season. He gives us his rankings of the 19 MLB ballparks he’s visited in person.)

Well, another summer of chasing ballparks as come and gone.

This year, I didn’t add as many new parks to the total, but it was the big three, so to speak. Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and, of course, Fenway Park.

So I figured I had enough ballparks to do an actual ranking. Without an actual ranking system, I had a couple favorites that I really enjoyed. And for the most part, they held true through the rankings. I thought PNC Park in Pittsburgh might be No. 1, but when I added the rankings together, that didn’t hold.

I rated the parks on eight criteria: food and beverage, atmosphere, neighborhood, fans, accessibility, seating and sight lines, panoramic view, and scoreboard/entertainment.

Some of the criteria is self-explanatory. Others like neighborhood reflects the surrounding area around the park, including stuff to do, eat or see. Accessibility relates to how easy it was to get to the park. I may not have got food at every park, but I did peruse the offerings.

Next year’s trip is already being planned. It likely will include the west coast, in an effort to knock out the Oakland Coliseum, since the A’s may be moving soon. I only rated the 19 parks that I have been to, so there could be some movement after visiting the final 11.

While these rankings are subjective, let’s keep in mind, it’s never a bad thing to be at a ballpark. Just some more than others.

#19 – Guaranteed Rate Field home of the Chicago White Sox

  • Food and Beverage: 4. Food is good. You can get an Italian beef or a Chicago-style hot dog.
  • Atmosphere: 2. Not a horrible atmosphere to watch a game, but more like a workman-like feel. Watch the game and go home.
  • Neighborhood: 2. Not a dangerous neighborhood, but the South Side does have some rough spots. Not much to see or do in the immediate ballpark area.
  • Fans: 2.5. Fans can be a little rough at times. Usually if you buy a 500-level ticket, you are restricted to that level and can’t roam the park.
  • Accessibility: 4. The El train can get you there from downtown. Parking is plentiful and ballpark is right off the freeway.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 2. Upper levels are quite steep. Decent sight lines even though you are high in the air. Lower level is the place to be though.
  • Panoramic View: 3. If you go to the 500 level, you can get some scenic shots overlooking downtown.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 3. Center field party area has a couple poles that can block parts of the scoreboard. Walk the outfield concourse, which features statues and an old working shower from Comiskey Park locker room.
  • Final Score: 24.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Not a horrible ballpark, but nothing to get really excited about either. The city is great to roam around in before or after the game, so spend a weekend there.

#18 – Yankee Stadium home of the New York Yankees

  • Food and Beverage: 3. Food options are good. Whether you go for the 99 Judge Burger or Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burgers or a Lobel’s steak sandwich, you can eat fairly well here.
  • Atmosphere: 2. I never got to visit the original Yankee Stadium, but this seems like a carbon copy of it, without the charm.
  • Neighborhood: 2. The neighborhood is safe, but is fairly non-descript as a destination. Very few places to eat just outside the ballpark.
  • Fans: 3. A lot of fans may be living on past glories. The Legends seats behind home plate are rarely filled to capacity, leaving a void.
  • Accessibility: 5. This is one place the stadium excels. With the subway (No. 4 line), and the D and B lines, it’s quite easy to get to the ballpark.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Padded seats throughout the park is a nice perk.
  • Panoramic View: 3. You can see the subway line passing through in right field. No real view of anything but buildings, though.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 3.5. Scoreboard offers good information, but not a lot of other entertainment options.
  • Final Score: 24.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Some of the areas of the park have tight concourses. The stadium feels more like an updated version of the old stadium, rather than a brand-new park.

#17 – Nationals Park home of the Washington Nationals

  • Food and Beverage: 3. Ben’s Chili Bowl has a stand inside the stadium. Fairly standard options otherwise.
  • Atmosphere: 3.5. This felt like a more low-key atmosphere both times I was here.
  • Neighborhood: 3. The neighborhood is developing rapidly around the ballpark. Options have multiplied between my visits.
  • Fans: 3. Fans are knowledgeable, but not as welcoming as other parks.
  • Accessibility: 3.5. D.C. traffic is fairly bad, but it’s not too difficult to get out of the park. Subways help as well.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Good sight lines, even from the upper deck regions.
  • Panoramic View: 4. You can see the U.S. Capitol building over the left field fence.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. The President’s Race is something to look forward to after the fourth inning.
  • Final Score: 26.5/40.
  • Final Thoughts: It’s a fairly non-descript ballpark, your basic ballpark. The only thing that really standouts as something to see is the President’s Race. But being close to D.C. makes up for that.

#16 – Citizens Bank Park home of the Philadelphia Phillies

  • Food and Beverage: 4. Chickie and Pete’s Crab Fries and Federal Donuts and Chicken are two strong options. Ashburn’s Alley in center field has more selection.
  • Atmosphere: 4. Good crowd makes for a nice atmosphere.
  • Neighborhood: 3. All three major Philadelphia stadiums are located in the same area. Xfinity Live is a nice bar complex.
  • Fans: 3. Phillies’ fans get somewhat of a bad rap. I wore my Tiger jersey and had no problems at all. It might be different if it were the Eagles though.
  • Accessibility: 3. Subway is a good option, but highway access is fairly easy to get to. Easy parking area.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Seating is good with good leg room. Pretty good sight lines as well.
  • Panoramic View: 3. Stadium is away from the downtown area, so not much to see.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4. There is big, neon bell in right-center field that lights up and moves during home runs and victory celebrations.
  • Final Score: 27/40.
  • Final Thoughts: Take a day and see some of the history in Center City area. Independence Hall, Constitution Center, U.S. Mint, Reading Terminal Market, and even the Liberty Bell make for a fun, interesting day.

#15 – American Family Field home of the Milwaukee Brewers

  • Food and Beverage: 3.5.
  • Atmosphere: 4. Party atmosphere. Get here early and walk around the tailgaters, who might even give you a brat or two.
  • Neighborhood: 2.5. Not much around the stadium itself. There are a few bars a few miles away. Downtown is a little further.
  • Fans: 4.5. Great fans, who will share a beer or brat with you before or after the game.
  • Accessibility: 4. Easy parking lot and fairly easy to get out of, if you know what you’re doing.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3.5. Sight lines are good, even at the top of the stadium, where Bob Uecker has a statue.
  • Panoramic View: 2.5. View is ok, even if the roof is closed. Windows let you see out and sun come in.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 4.5. Bernie Brewer slides down his chalet in left field during every home run. The Selig Experience, dedicated to former owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig, is something to see before the game. And, of course, we have to mention the racing sausages.
  • Final Score: 29/40.
  • Final Thoughts: I was lucky enough to see a game there with the roof open. Probably a whole different vibe with a closed roof. But either way, a fun park to attend.

#14 – Kauffman Stadium home of the Kansas City Royals

  • Food and Beverage: 4. Brisket nachos are really good here. Obviously, lots of barbecue places in Kansas City.
  • Atmosphere: 4. Fun atmosphere with the waterfalls.
  • Neighborhood: 2. Not a whole lot around the two stadiums (Arrowhead Stadium is next door). Just parking lots and a few hotels across the freeway.
  • Fans: 3.5. Fans are alright here.
  • Accessibility: 4.5. Located right off the highway, so easy 15–20-minute drive back to downtown.
  • Seating/Sight Lines: 3. Roomy seats and not really a bad seat in the park.
  • Panoramic View: 4.5. The waterfalls are fun to walk around, although they have made more club areas out there.
  • Scoreboard/Entertainment: 3.5. Big scoreboard with a crown on top is can’t miss. The Royals Hall of Fame is well done and some welcome relief from the heat. The kids’ area in left field has more entertainment options.
  • Final Score: 29/40.
  • Final Thoughts: A good place to visit, but do it soon as there is talk of moving to a downtown stadium. Ownership wants an entertainment district like in several other newer parks.

Check back on Wednesday for Part 2.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Fan Teaser: Week 47 Solution

DouglasTHill6 Comments
Pretty straight forward: Name the at least five people in this photo who have a Wikipedia page.

This photo was captured during Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on April 9, 1962, at Washington, D.C.’s brand new, D.C. Stadium, which was later renamed Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. The host Senators defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-1.

Al Kaline is seen in the batter’s box and the future Hall of Famer went 0-for-4 during the game.

Also pictured, of course, is President John F. Kennedy who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Surprisingly (to me at least), Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is also seated at the game with POTUS. Also in the photo is Larry O’Brien, then a special assistant to the President, but later the NBA Commissioner and namesake of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy awarded annually to the NBA. Also in the photo is then-Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa.

(Update [August 28, 2024]: Reader Bobby Kinsey indicates Hoffa is misidentifed and should, instead, be ID’d as U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs [D-LA]. This image with caption would seem to corroborate this.)

Here are a series of photos from this day courtesy of the JFK Presidential Archives. There are, no doubt, other dignataries in the photo but I’m unsure I can identify all of them. If you have any thoughts shoot me an email at hilldouglast@gmail.com.

Washington Senator Bob Schmidt is doing the catching.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Great Ballpark Chase: Birds of a Feather

timothynrussell4 Comments

The main entrance and scoreboard at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

For some baseball chasers, you just can’t get enough travel.

That seems to be the case with Dave, who I first met on last year’s tour with Diamond Baseball Tours. This year, he was on the Hall of Fame Tour with Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours. It was one of four tours he went on this year.

In fact, Dave, who is a retired Cleveland Guardian fan, was taking another tour as the Coast 2 Coast one ended. He was doing the West Coast Swing with Diamond, but Dave doesn’t like to fly. So, about a week after returning home from the Hall of Fame tour, he hopped on a train cross country, ending up in Las Vegas, where the Diamond tour started.

He’s also made several trips to Comerica Park, PNC Park, and Target Field throughout the year.

While some chasers will just go to each stadium once, others will revisit sometimes two or three times.

That’s how it was with me and Oriole Park at Camden Yards (that’s the official name, but most people just call it Camden Yards or OPACY). The final game of the Hall of Fame tour was my second visit to Camden and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back again. It is one of my favorite parks.

It helps that the Orioles are fielding a very good team now, but it’s also just a great atmosphere to watch a game. And a great view with the old B&O Warehouse overlooking the field. It also holds a special place in my heart, because it was one of the parks I got to see with my brother. If you remember, he passed away unexpectedly six years ago.

The Baltimore & Ohio Warehouse looms beyond the outfield wall at Camden Yards.

On to the stadium, which was opened in April 6, 1992.

The most striking feature is that warehouse, which is located on Eutaw Street and runs directly through the ballpark. Obviously, it is closed to vehicles now. During game days, the street is closed to the public, but on non-game days, you can stroll from one side to the other, but there is no access to the stadium.

The floors of the warehouse contain offices, service spaces, and a private club.

Many home runs land on Eutaw Street; 122 and counting, to be exact. And each one is given a special circular plaque, with the players name and date. Lasers and cameras are used to pinpoint exact placement. Former Detroit Tiger catcher Mickey Tettleton was the first one to hit the street on April 20, 1992.

No one has hit the warehouse on the fly during an actual game yet. Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. did it once during batting practice of 1993 Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game festivities. There is a plaque on the wall, marking the moment.

The Ken Griffey Jr. plaque commemorates his hitting the Warehouse on the fly.

Eutaw Street is the place to be in Camden Yards. The Orioles team store is located inside the warehouse on the ground floor. Boog’s Barbecue outdoor stand is out in center field. Boog Powell was an Orioles’ first baseman from 1961 to 1974. You can also see the Orioles Hall of Fame.

Inside the stadium, you will find Legends Park, with six statues of former Oriole greats. They included Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, outfielder Frank Robinson, pitcher Jim Palmer, first baseman Eddie Murray, shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and manager Earl Weaver in a picnic grove in left field.

Statues of Baltimore Orioles’ Hall of Famers, clockwise from upper left, Brooks Robinson, Cal Ripken Jr., Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, and Frank Robinson.

There is also a statue dedicated to Babe Ruth, called Babe’s Dream, located just outside the park on Eutaw Street. Ruth was born in Baltimore, raised in an orphanage there and played for the Orioles, who were a minor league team at the time. His birthplace is within walking distance of Camden Yards and can be visited as the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. It’s about a block or two from the left field stands. Ruth’s parents’ home was located about where second base is.

Back inside the stadium, there are two orange seats, marking the home runs by Ripken Jr. and Murray. The one in right center field marks Murray’s 500th home run. The one in left field marks Ripken’s 278th home run, which broke Chicago Cubs’ Ernie Banks record for home runs by a shortstop.

When Camden was built in 1992, it inspired the retro-classic trend for new construction, instead of the cookie cutter, multi-purpose stadiums that had been popular.

Some of the retro-classic parks include Denver’s Coors Field (1995), San Francisco’s Oracle Park (2000), Detroit’s Comerica Park (2000), Pittsburgh’s PNC Park (2001), Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park (2004), St. Louis’ Busch Stadium III (2006), New York Mets’ Citi Field (2009), and Yankee Stadium (2009).

Renovations made in 2022 raised the left field wall from seven feet to about 13 feet. It was also moved back 26 ½ feet, which eliminated the first 10 rows of outfield bleacher seats. That first major renovation lowered the capacity to 44,970.

The area where the fences were moved back in leftfield following the 2022 renovations.

Current dimensions are as follows: left field line (333 feet), straight away left (384 feet), left-center field (398 feet), deep left center (410 feet), center field (400 feet), right-center (373 feet), and right field line (318 feet).

Food options are plentiful in Camden. Baltimore is known for its crab and crab cakes, so of course that is prevalent in the menu. Some of the highlights include the Yard Dog, which is three hot dogs stacked in a footlong bun, topped with creamy crab dip, and Old Bay-seasoned potato sticks. The crab pretzel boule is a soft-baked pretzel boule, dipped in garlic butter and stuffed with Maryland-style crab dip, cheddar cheese, and Old Bay seasoning.

One of the more popular concession stands is Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. There are several locations throughout the city, but the Camden Yards location features crab cake egg rolls, crab cake sandwich, and crabby fries.

  • GAME RESULT: Seattle scored early and often off Baltimore starter Kyle Gibson, who gave up five runs on seven hits in just three innings. The Mariners got home runs from Tom Murphy and Teoscar Hernandez. Seattle tacked on seven runs in the eighth inning to slam the door shut and win, 13-1. Mariner pitcher Logan Gilbert threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits with five strikeouts. Anthony Santander had the lone run for the Orioles with a home run in the seventh. The game started with an hour and 40-minute rain delay, which I suppose is fitting since the tour started with a rain out in Boston. There was also rain in Washington, D.C., but it did not delay the game.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Great Ballpark Chase: Yankee Dandy

timothynrussell3 Comments

Perhaps one of the most-photographed ballparks in all the land, New York’s Yankee Stadium. From upper left, centerfield message board, the Great Hall, looking out from behind homeplate, looking in from centerfield, and the exterior upon approach.

Most people take a baseball trip to experience the ballparks, make memories, and enjoy some travel.

It’s just an added bonus when the schedules align and you can see your favorite team as well.

The schedules did just that for some Seattle fans on the “Hall of Fame Baseball Tour” with Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours in June. It took until almost the end of the tour, but they would get to see the Mariners in back-to-back games.

And it was worth the wait for them. They would see Seattle in Yankee Stadium and then follow them to Baltimore’s Camden Yards the following night.

Teri and Jeff, a husband and wife team married for 33 years, recently retired and decided to start travelling. Teri still works part-time for the Mariners, manning a security station in the ballpark.

The couple live on many acres of land on the outskirts of Seattle. They recently had a celebration of life for their John Deere tractor, which needed replacing.

Eric and Thomas, a father-son combination, also came to the tour from the Vancouver area. They had a whirlwind beginning to the tour, not arriving into Boston until 11 p.m.

But all four enjoyed the Mariners’ scoring 23 runs in two games. Seattle beat the Yankees, 10-2 and the Orioles, 13-1.

Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, as a replacement for the original stadium, which opened in 1923. It was often called, “The House that Ruth Built.”

The new stadium was designed to evoke memories of the old stadium. It has been praised for its amenities, but criticized for high ticket prices. The lower bowl behind home plate is called The Legends Club with prices as high as $510. Seats are often empty in that area, due to the high cost, leading to an embarrassing situation for the Yankees.

Concourses are fairly wide, although in some areas of the park, namely out in center field by Monument Park, it seemed a little tight to move around. One nice touch in the stadium is that every seat is padded with its own drink holder.

The capacity of the stadium is 50,287, which is less than the originals 56,886. Many players have commented it is much easier to play at the new stadium, since it seems much quieter than the original.

The fences measure 318 feet to left field, 399 to left-center, 408 to center field, 385 to right-center and 314 to right field.

Similar to the old stadium, the roof features a replica of the frieze, which was a trademark. A frieze is a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration. Also, similar to the old stadium, the wall beyond the bleacher seats is cut out to reveal the four subway trains as they pass by.

The flags on top of the roof are also arranged in order of the standings. All 30 teams are represented and the flags are adjusted each day as needed.

The stadium does feature one of the more distinct seating areas, the Judge’s Chambers. It is named after Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge and modeled after a courtroom with faux wood finishes.

The Judge's Chambers' seats
The Judge’s Chambers in right centerfield.

Opened in 2017, it only holds 18 seats in section 105, which is in right-center field, where Judge is stationed on defense. But you can’t buy a seat here.

The Yankees choose the fans for each game. They may give tickets to local community organizations, hospitals, or charities along with area Little Leagues.

Judge is very prominent, both in the lineup and physically. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound player is one of the top players in the league, who wears No. 99. So it’s not surprising that Judge has made his mark in other areas of the stadium, namely the concession stand.

The 99 Burger may be one of the top concession choices in the stadium. It features two four-ounce American Wagyu beef patties, American cheese, dill pickles, caramelized onions, and secret sauce on a brioche bun. You can get lettuce and tomato by request.

But get there quickly, they only sell 99 burgers, at a hefty $19.99 cost. They are only available in section 223, which is closest to Gate 4.

There are two main attractions at the ballpark. Both will have long lines to visit, so be ready to head there as soon as your ticket is scanned.

The first is Monument Park, out in center field. This is a carryover from old Yankee Stadium and highlights 37 former Yankee greats, 22 of whom have had their numbers retired. The main monument in the park is a red granite block, featuring manager Miller Huggins, players Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio, and owner George Steinbrenner.

Various views of Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park.

It closes 45 minutes before first pitch. Admission is free, but space is limited and lines begin soon after the gates open.

The Yankee Museum is also free and is open until the end of the eighth inning. It is located on the main stadium level, adjacent to section 210.

One of the most prized exhibits is Thurman Munson‘s locker. Munson was a catcher from 1969-1979 until his death. Munson was so beloved by Steinbrenner that his number was immediately retired. His locker was also sealed off and donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, but it now resides in the Yankee Museum.

A look inside the Yankee Museum, Thurman Munson’s locker and some of the jerseys and records.

Another feature in the Museum is the Yankee baseball wall. It has 870 autographed baseballs, or about 55 percent of the players, managers, coaches, and broadcasters in the team’s history. At both ends of the wall, there are statues of pitcher Don Larsen and catcher Yogi Berra, exactly 60 feet, six inches apart. Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history, Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. The top row of the wall emulates the trajectory of Larsen’s final pitch in that World Series.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Great Ballpark Chase: National Treasure

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Nationals Main Gate
The main gate at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Well, I finally got to finish what I started.

Back in 2016, during the beginnings of the Great Ballpark Chase, my brother and I spent a week in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Detroit Tigers were in the area for a week and we decided to set up shop as well.

We based ourselves in Baltimore, but went into D.C. several times. The only problem was that the MARC commuter train stops running before the Nationals game would end. The only other option was catching the last Amtrak back into Baltimore, which left at 10 p.m.

It was Max Scherzer‘s first season after leaving the Tigers via free agency. As luck would have it, Scherzer was slated to pitch. The only problem was he pitched too well, striking out 20 as the Nats beat the Tigers, 3-2. Unfortunately, to catch that last Amtrak, my brother and I had to leave in the fifth inning, So, I always joked, we saw about 14 of his 20 strikeouts.

So, it was with great pleasure when I saw that we’d be visiting Nationals Park on Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours’ Hall of Fame Tour in June.

But for a while, there was at least the threat of another failed attempt with rain in the air for most of the day. Luckily, it held off for most of the game, although the last inning or so was played in a downpour. Washington ended up with a 3-0 victory over St. Louis.

Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, can feel a bit bland at times, kind of like being in a drugstore. Although that might be fitting, since the teams’ logo does look almost exactly like drugstore Walgreens. It’s so similar people will joke that it’s Team Walgreens playing at the park.

Nats and Walgreens Logos
A discerning eye will be able to tell the difference between the Nationals logo and that of Walgreens.

The stadium dimensions are 337 feet to left field, 377 to left-center, 402 field to center field, 370 to right-center and 335 to right field. The park seats 41,339.

Other features of the stadium include statues of Walter Johnson, who was part of the original Washington Senators team. Frank Howard was a member of the expansion Washington Senators and Josh Gibson was a member of the Washington Grays in the Negro Leagues.

One of the biggest attractions is the Presidents Race, which is run in the middle of the fourth inning. It features likenesses of former presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. William Howard Taft, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover have also been a part of the festivities, but have since been “retired” to Florida and the Nationals’ spring training complex in West Palm Beach.

The author’s view of the Presidents’ Race at Nationals Park.

Roosevelt, or Teddy as he is nicknamed, has famously not fared well in the races. In fact, he had a winless streak for almost seven seasons. He finally won his first game after the Nats had qualified for the playoffs for the first time. But in further seasons, Teddy has become the lovable loser.

The Nationals are also one of the few stadiums that offers a bullpen cart to bring relief pitchers into the game. It rarely gets used, though, as pitchers prefer to jog into the game. That doesn’t stop the bullpen car from making a tour around the stadium, though.

Bullpen Cart
Seldom used for its intended purpose, the Nationals’ Bullpen Cart still takes the occasional lap around the park.

Once a staple in the 1970s and 80s, the bullpen cart seems to be making a slight comeback. In addition to Washington, the Arizona Diamondbacks have started using one.

Obviously, being in D.C. lends itself to lots of great sightseeing opportunities.

My personal favorite on the National Mall is the Korean War Veterans Memorial. It’s likely because my dad was a veteran of the Korean War. I never got a chance to take him to see the Memorial, but I’ve seen it twice and did bring it to him through pictures.

I’ve only seen it during the day, although I have heard and read it’s very striking and moving at night. It’s quite well done and you feel the soldier statues are actually moving through a rice paddy.

A few of the memorials to take in while in Washington, D.C. From upper left, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the MLK Monument, and the FDR Memorial.

Another favorite is the National Air and Space Museum. The main museum on the Mall is wonderful, but the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is just as cool. It features the space shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde.

Although, my all-time favorite site is probably one that doesn’t exist anymore, the Newseum. It was located just off the mall and featured artifacts related to journalism and newspapers. I have heard they were trying to reopen in a smaller location elsewhere, but not sure if that ever happened.

A fine place to eat is Ben’s Chili Bowl. The original is located 1213 U Street NW, and is about to celebrate 65 years in business on August 22. A second location is on H Street in D.C. as well as outposts at Ronald Reagan National Airport, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and Nationals Park.

Ben’s Chili Bowl is a D.C. institution.

A half smoke is a grilled hot dog, served on a warm, steamed bun with mustard, onions, and their own spicy chili sauce. So, it’s basically a chili dog, but still a staple to try when in D.C.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

LLWS Fever … Catch It!

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Lamade Stadium
Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, PA. (Photo Little League Baseball)

The Little League Baseball World Series begins today in South Williamsport, PA.

The ESPN family of networks will provide us with wall-to-wall coverage if we want to experience a bit of this magic ourselves This includes a game this Sunday afternoon and three games the following weekend over broadcast television network ABC.

A year ago we had colleague and friend, John Paklidenaz, as a guest on our podcast “Conversations with Sports Fans” to talk about the LLWS. John and his family have been longtime volunteers for the event in upstate Pennsylvania. This year will be no different as John and his son, J.D., are there as you read this.

John, now retired from his teaching job, will be able to see the tournament through to the Championship Game on August 27 and help make the in-person experience for the 20 teams, their fans, and casual spectators a safe and memorable one.

We invite you to give our Conversation with John a listen (or another one, if it’s been a year since you last heard from him). You’re able to find the link to his episode via our website here or at our podcasting hosting site here.

The Great Ballpark Chase: Citizens of Philadelphia

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Citizens Bank Park
The exterior of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

For most baseball fans, it’s a dream to catch a ball hit into the stands.

But for Alex, it was more than a dream. It became reality more than once.

Alex was on a father-son road trip with his dad, Kris. The two had registered for Coast 2 Coast Sports Tour’s Hall of Fame Baseball Tour in June 2023.

Originally, the twosome was just going to do a trip to San Diego, since both are Padres’ fans. But when Kris saw a Facebook posting for the tour, he considered it and his wife was fully onboard, despite the higher cost.

Alex caught or was given a total of four balls during various pre-games this tour. They also had a bat inscribed at Cooperstown to commemorate the weekend.

Kris and Alex weren’t alone in rooting for their favorite team. The tour was also pretty loaded with Padres’ fans. There was a father-daughter, Brandi and Dave, both of whom are from San Diego, though Brandi recently relocated to Florida.

There was also aunt and niece, Corinna and Alexis, who flew out from San Diego for the trip. The two became a juggernaut in the daily score contest. Before each game, our tour leader, Zac, would pass a clipboard and you’d guess the winner and the score for each game. The closest to the correct score would win. The tiebreaker was total number of hits in the game.

Corinna won once while Alexis won twice. No one else won more than once.

Many times, as we were travelling to our next hotel after each game, there would be several phones tuned to MLB.tv and the Padres’ game.

Our tour made its way to Philadelphia and Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies. It opened in April 2004 as a replacement to the now-demolised, Veterans Stadium. It continued the trend started with Baltimore’s Camden Yards in 1992 toward the retro-style of ballpark, meaning more open-air, less cookie cutter stadiums.

The videoboard at Citizens Bank Park as well as the game’s first pitch thrown by Ranger Suarez.

It is located in south Philadelphia in the same area as the other major stadiums, Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles) and Wells Fargo Center (76ers and Flyers). Xfinity Live is nestled in the middle of all of the stadiums; it is a dining and entertainment hub.

The old Veterans Stadium site is now a parking lot, next door to Citizens Bank. They do have home plate and the bases marked out in the lot.

Inside the stadium, a prominent feature is Ashburn’s Alley, out in the center field concourse area. Richie Ashburn was a Phillies’ Hall of Fame center fielder from 1948 to 1959. Many Phillies’ fans wanted the stadium to be named in honor of him, so the Alley became a compromise.

The Alley is highlighted with a statue of Ashburn. It also features restaurants, games and memorabilia from Phillies history.

Philly Phanatic
A game at Citizens Bank Park isn’t complete without the antics of the Philly Phanatic.

Chickies and Petes is one of the more popular food stands in the park. They are famous for their crab fries, an Old Bay seasoned crinkle fry with a cheese sauce.

There is also Bull’s BBQ, featuring typical barbecue fare. It is named for former Phillies’ slugger Greg “The Bull” Luzinski. You can also get a cheesesteak in the park, at Campo’s or Tony Luke’s. Both have full-service restaurants outside the park as well.

In addition to the Ashburn statue, there are three more statues outside the stadium of pitchers Robin Roberts and Steve Carlton and third baseman Mike Schmidt. Former announcer Harry Kalas also received a statue, mainly funded by the fans.

The Phillies Wall of Fame is located in Ashburn’s Alley.

Above the center field activities is a neon Liberty Bell. It “rings” after each Phillies’ home run and after a victory. It is similar to the one from Veterans Stadium, which now sits outside Citizens Bank Park.

Liberty Bell
The neon Liberty Bell sits high above centerfield.

The stadium has a capacity of 42,901. The dimensions are: left field, 329 feet; left field power alley, 374 feet; The Angle, from CF to left CF, 409 feet; straightaway CF, 401 feet; right field power alley, 369 feet; and right field, 330 feet.

Of course, a visit to Philadelphia is not complete without feasting on an authentic cheesesteak There are many options, including the two most popular with tourists, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, which are across the street from each other in South Philadelphia.

My preference has always been a little further away, on South Street in West Philly. You actually can’t eat there right now, though. They are rebuilding after a devastating fire in July 2022. Reports are they are set to reopen around Labor Day this year.

So the second option was to grab a steak at Reading Terminal Market, a famous indoor farmer’s market with rows and rows of vendors and eateries, featuring grocery, dining, and other shopping needs. Spataro’s Cheesesteaks was the choice here. Just remember to order the correct way, “Wit Whiz,” or you’ll identify yourself as a tourist.

If you need to walk off that cheesesteak or roast pork sandwich (another Philadelphia staple, DiNic’s is the place to get one), there are plenty of places to do that, especially if you like history.

There is Independence National Historical Park. At one end, you can see Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is at the end of the Liberty Center, which has other exhibits about the bell. The actual bell is at the end closest to Independence Hall.

At the other end of the park, you’ll find the Constitution Center, featuring life-size statues of American forefathers. There is also the U.S. Mint (sorry, they don’t give out free samples) and the Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin is buried.

Benjamin Franklin Gravesite
Benjamin Franklin’s gravesite sits in the Christ Church Burial Ground.

There is a small fee to walk around the cemetery and visit the graves of Declaration of Independence signers Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, and Dr. Benjamin Rush. It is also the final resting place for many of the nation’s early leaders, prominent lawyers and military heroes. It is still an active cemetery with new burials happening each year.

You don’t need to pay the admission fee to see Franklin’s grave. It is visible through the brick fence. Many people have pitched a penny or two onto his grave, in remembrance of his “A penny earned is a penny saved” quote.

As far as the game, Atlanta beat the Phillies, 4-2. Braves’ starter Spencer Strider went six solid innings, allowing one run on eight hits with nine strikeouts. Austin Riley homered in the sixth and Matt Olson in the eighth for the Braves.

Nick Castellanos started the scoring for Philadelphia with an RBI single in the fifth.

But it was finally nice to see an actual baseball game. This was fourth day of the bus tour and we had only seen one game. Remember, the game in Boston was rained out and Monday was our Baseball Hall of Fame visit.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell

The Fan Teaser: Week 42 Solution

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Fans of a certain MLB team will, no doubt, remember this one. Name the person
with the glove, the person running down the line, and the other person who factored
significantly into this event for full credit.

Many thanks to regular Fan Teaser observer (and former Conversations with Sports Fans guest, Laura Dennis [Season 1, Episode 6]) for submitting this one as a possible Teaser.

What with the latest no-hitter in Major League Baseball this week (congratulations to Michael Lorenzen) we felt it appropriate to dust this one classic near-perfect game out and revisit it.

Armando Galarraga
Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Armando Galarraga beats Cleveland Indian Jason Donald to the bag to complete what appeared to be a perfect game on June 2, 2010. Umpire Jim Joyce, called Donald safe. Galarraga retired the next batter, Trevor Crowe, to earn what some called the “Imperfect Game.”

On June 2, 2010, Detroit Tigers’ starter Armando Galarraga had retired the first 26 batters he faced and certainly seemed to retire the 27th – Jason Donald – but umpire Jim Joyce had other ideas. He called Donald safe on the bang-bang play at first. Had their been video review that day, Domingo German‘s perfecto on June 28, 2023 almost certainly would have the been the 25th all time perfect game, not the 24th.

Here is the boxscore from the game and the Wikipedia account of how things played out. Below, please find the replay and calls from Detroit and Cleveland television and radio.

Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.

The Great Ballpark Chase: Hall of Dreams

timothynrussell3 Comments

Tucked away in a little corner of upstate New York, there is something special about Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

It’s the small-town charm and the beautiful scenery, but more importantly, you have to want to go there. It’s not just something you stumble upon and say, “let’s go there.” It takes actual planning.

So when the Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours Hall of Fame Baseball Tour rolled into town, it made for a special moment to take a slight breather from seeing games.

Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente
Not a bad trio to greet guests upon arrival: Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente.

When you walk into the Hall of Fame, the first thing that strikes you is the life-size statues of Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente. You can also catch a glimpse of the plaque gallery, but no need to rush right to the gallery. There are plenty of other great things to see.

Being a ballpark chaser, the third floor was of special interest with the Sacred Ground exhibit. It highlights ballparks of yesteryear and why a trip to the ballpark is such a special occasion. You can see the Ebbets Field cornerstone, as well as piece of the Tiger Stadium wall with the 440-foot measurement, noting the distance from home plate to center field. There are also old ticket booths, turnstiles, and seats.

Comiskey Park Pinwheel, Tiger Stadium measurement
One of Comiskey Park’s scoreboard pinwheels sits in the foreground while the Tiger Stadium centerfield measurement is in the rear.

Most of what you see on display at the museum at any one time is a mere fraction of its collection. There is only about 10 percent on display and it grows daily.

From the history of the game to the current teams, there are exhibits featuring Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, women in baseball, and international players.

Babe Ruth Uniform
A Babe Ruth jersey is displayed.

Ruth is featured quite prominently, with his locker, jersey, and details about his life.

If you have ever watched “A League of Their Own,” you’ll see details about women in baseball. The exhibit is called Diamond Dreams.

Aaron is also featured in the exhibit, Chasing the Dream, chronicling his career and his run toward being the greatest home run hitter in the game and the problems that brought to him.

There is also an exhibit about international baseball, called Viva Baseball. It highlights the history of Latin baseball and Latino ballplayers in the Majors. Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera‘s jersey is hanging there, just waiting until his plaque can be installed.

Miguel Cabrera Jersey
A Miguel Cabrera jersey sits in the Viva Baseball exhibit.

That leads you to baseball records, baseball cards, and World Series rings and accomplishments.

You’ll finish the third floor, walking through a simulated locker room, called Your Team Today. It features a locker stall for each of the 30 teams. There are artifacts from current players of each team. As they try to stay current, this exhibit can see a lot of changes as events happen during the season.

Obviously, being a Detroit Tigers’ fan, I took special care to look for exhibits highlighting the team. In addition to the centerfield signage there are also several other Tiger exhibits sprinkled around the Hall. Those include some artifacts from Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Al Kaline, and the 1984 World Series champion Tiger team, which started 35-5.

In the Your Team Today, the Tigers locker was filled with a Justin Verlander jersey and ball from one of his no-hitters. There is also a cap from Spencer Turnbull‘s no-hitter. There are also helmets from Cabrera’s 500th home run and Victor Martinez‘s 2,000 hit.

One of the more interesting pieces is Daniel Norris‘s bat. The former Tiger pitcher borrowed a teammate’s bat to become the first American League pitcher to homer in Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

After seeing Your Team Today, you can take the elevator down to the first floor toward the gallery. First, you’ll see exhibits dedicated to the current players being inducted that year. This past year, it was infielder Scott Rolen and outfield Fred McGriff. Rolen went in as a St. Louis Cardinal. McGriff chose to have a blank hat, since he had been with several teams.

HoF Class of 2023, Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen, signed the spots where their plaques would eventually reside.

Each year, after the inductees are announced, the player or manager gets a day at the Hall. They are given a private tour of the facility. They also sign the base in the gallery, where it sits until the plaque is installed after the induction ceremony.

After visiting the gallery, make sure to take a short walk up the ramp toward the library and kids’ clubhouse. You’ll find the area dedicated to announcers and writers. Obviously, I had to find the Ernie Harwell honor, which is just above one for Vin Scully. The two were honored just a few years apart in the 1980s.

Just past that you’ll find what looks like a box office window. Step in and you’ll see exhibits from different baseball movies.

Of course, any visit to the Hall of Fame isn’t complete without a short walk to Doubleday Field. It was once thought of as the birthplace of baseball, where Abner Doubleday played the first game of baseball. But recent developments have somewhat dispelled those myths.

Doubleday Field sits right off Main Street in Cooperstown, NY.

But, even so, it’s still a grand place to watch a ballgame. And even if Doubleday didn’t invent the game, it still lets you go back in time to feel the simplicity of the game.

Youth and Little League teams will still play ball at Doubleday. An expansive Little League complex, Cooperstown Dreams Park, was built just outside of town, which draws a lot of camps and tournaments. But it’s still quite an experience to actually play on the Doubleday Field.

While you’re walking to Doubleday, you’ll come across many small shops, selling bats, balls, caps, jerseys, and trading cards, among other things. A real baseball fan could go broke.

During the walk, take a minute and enjoy strolling down a small-town American street.

There are also really good places to eat, as well. There is the Cooperstown Diner, which is basically a lunch counter and a few tables. Sadly, it is only open until 2 p.m. The Hardball Cafe is within a baseball’s throw of Doubleday Field. A few finer dining options are available further from the downtown area.

Those aren’t the only restaurants. You can pretty much find anything your tastebuds desire.

Whether you spend just a few hours in Cooperstown or a few days, it is time well spent.

San Diego Chicken
There is even some wildlife in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell