Take Me Out to Jack Murphy Stadium

Welcome to Flashback Friday: Take Me Out to 34 Ballparks, a celebration, critique and countdown of every major league ballpark one baseball fan has been fortunate enough to visit in a lifetime of going to ballgames. BALLPARK: Jack Murphy Stadium LATER KNOWN AS: Qualcomm Stadium HOME TEAM: San Diego Padres VISITS: 1 VISITED: June 20, 1996 CHRONOLOGY: 16th of 34 RANKING: 33rd of 34 I think it would be pleasant to go to a public park, find something to eat, watch some guys play ball and maybe wander around a bit. It was pleasant, actually. Stephanie and I did that at Jack Murphy Stadium. Pleasant beats unpleasant every time. But pleasant’s not the same thing as big league, and there was something about seeing a Padres game in their original home that felt less than major. It wasn’t bad — pleasant can’t be bad — but it didn’t fill me with anything approaching awe. Did I mention the pleasant factor was off the charts? In my travels, I’ve had my expectations ...