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Ranking all 30 MLB stadiums
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

Ranking all 30 MLB stadiums

There are 30 stadiums in baseball and they all range from being cathedrals to just being mountains of concrete. Which stadium is the best-looking in all of baseball?

 

30. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays)

Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

There is nothing aesthetically pleasing about this stadium. I've long contended that Tropicana Field is what would happen if you made a Sam's Club big enough to play baseball in. The good news is that the Rays appear to be getting closer to figuring out the oath toward a new stadium, so maybe they won't have to play here for too much longer.

 

29. Oakland Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)

Oakland Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

When the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995, they did so after the local city council approved the addition of 20,000 seats to the stadium. That baseball monstrosity in center field is known as Mount Davis, and it will still be there when the Raiders leave. The A's are stuck with it and while the experience there isn't bad, it is just an ugly baseball stadium to look at.

 

28. Marlins Park (Miami Marlins)

Marlins Park (Miami Marlins)
LG Patterson / Getty Images

The Marlins moved into their new stadium in 2012, and they've already had to undergo renovations. The good news is that they're removing their gaudy bright green walls in favor of blue walls, and they also got rid of the tacky fish sculpture in center field. It won't do much to fix what's normally a dreary looking stadium on most days due to the roof (which is understandable due to the weather), but it's a start when it comes to improvements.

 

27. Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Jennifer Stewart / Getty Images

It's understandable as to why the Diamondbacks have a roof over their stadium. Would you want to spend hours on end cooking in the desert sun? The Diamondbacks don't want that. Unfortunately, the stadium itself doesn't stand out from an aesthetic standpoint. The only thing that's truly unique is that there's a pool in right field.

 

26. Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros)

Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros)
Cooper Neill / Getty Images

Again, weather concerns come into play in Houston where it can be volatile enough that rain could come into play at any time. Still, this stadium doesn't look too good with the roof open, and there's way too much of a whimsical vibe that feels more manufactured than organic. They at least made the smart decision to get rid of Tal's Hill in recent years.

 

25. Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)

Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)
Dylan Buell / Getty Images

The positives are that the fans really make the most out of the acoustics when the roof is on that stadium, and Bernie Brewer's slide looks cool as well. Unfortunately, that's as far as the positives go when it comes to aesthetics, as this is another roofed stadium that doesn't really capture your imagination when it comes to baseball.

 

24. Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays)

Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays)
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

When the roof is open, this stadium gives you a fabulous view of the CN Tower. The hotels in center field are a unique addition as well. The downside is that this park was made back when the "cookie cutter" stadiums were still present across baseball. While it would fit right in with the rest of baseball, it sticks out like a sore thumb in the present era of the sport.

 

23. Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago White Sox)

Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago White Sox)
Ron Vesely / Getty Images

This is a stadium that has seen many slight changes over the years and for good reason. It was built in that awkward era between the return to baseball-specific stadiums and the cookie-cutter, multipurpose stadiums. As such, it's one of those stadiums that's perfectly fine, but it's never going to give you any sort of excitement when it comes to views or just an overall feeling when it comes to baseball stadiums. 

 

22. T-Mobile Park (Seattle Mariners)

T-Mobile Park (Seattle Mariners)
Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images

The most interesting thing about Seattle's stadium is its exterior and the fact that if you look outside of left field, you can get a decent view of the Seahawks football stadium. Other than that, it's another example of how the modern sensibilities of the time when this stadium was built coming back to haunt the team as the stadium ages. It's a decent structure, but it hasn't aged well from an aesthetic standpoint.

 

21. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)

Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Rob Tringali / Getty Images

If we're talking about exteriors, Yankee Stadium would be at or near the top. Unfortunately, you play baseball inside of a stadium and there's not much to write about. The frieze adorning the upper deck is nice, but other than that it's not really a glorious cathedral of baseball. 

 

20. Progressive Field (Cleveland Indians)

Progressive Field (Cleveland Indians)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

This is another stadium that has undergone plenty of tweaks since being built in the 1990s and just like other stadiums erected during this time period, it hasn't aged gracefully. It's not an ugly stadium, but it's a bit nondescript and almost generic in a way.

 

19. Citi Field (New York Mets)

Citi Field (New York Mets)
Rob Tringali / Getty Images

Just like its neighbor in the Bronx, Citi Field would receive high marks if we were taking the exterior into consideration. Instead, we have to look at the interior and there's nothing splashy or exciting about the stadium. With that being said, the Home Run Apple will remain cool for the rest of all time.

 

18. Angel Stadium of Anaheim (Los Angeles Angels)

Angel Stadium of Anaheim (Los Angeles Angels)
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images

The scenery in the center field batter's eye is nice to look at, and The Big A outside of the stadium is still one of the cooler baseball-related landmarks that you will ever see. Unfortunately, it's not as close to the ballpark as it used to be and the rest of the stadium is simply OK.

 

17. SunTrust Park (Atlanta Braves)

SunTrust Park (Atlanta Braves)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

After discarding a perfectly good stadium in downtown Atlanta, it would have been fair for the Braves to make sure that their new ballpark in the suburbs would exceed all expectations. While it's cool that they have plenty of attractions surrounding the stadium, SunTrust Park as a stadium isn't a dramatic upgrade over Turner Field. It's a perfectly fine ballpark, but it could be better from an aesthetic standpoint.

 

16. Coors Field (Colorado Rockies)

Coors Field (Colorado Rockies)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

Had the architects and designers turned Coors Field 180 degrees the other way, the fans in Denver could have gotten a perfect view of their city's skyline every time they went to the ballpark. While the outskirts of town do look lovely during the summer, it's a bit of a missed opportunity when it comes to a ballpark that is solid in all other aspects. 

 

15. Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)

Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

It's nice to get a view of the river, especially when the team spent so much time playing in a place called "Riverfront Stadium" but the fans were unable to get a look at it since they played in a cookie-cutter park. It's a distinct ballpark in more ways than one and while it's not elite terms of aesthetics, it's one that Reds fans can be proud of. 

 

14. Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)

Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
MLB Photos / Getty Images

If you look closely outside of left field in the skyline background, you can get a glimpse of the U.S. Capitol. As far as skyline views go, it's pretty tough to beat that one. The stadium itself is fan-friendly, and you'll be hard-pressed to find too much of a fault when it comes to this ballpark. It's not gorgeous, but it's still a great ballpark to take in a game or experience via television.

 

13. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)

Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images

This is another ballpark that got things right when it came to the skyline view. Additionally, the views when it comes to the interior of the stadium are pretty good as well. From an aesthetic standpoint, the batter's eye is one of the best in baseball, and you also get a look at the brick design that makes the exterior of the stadium look nice as well. It's a far cry from Veterans Stadium.

 

12. Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)

Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

Look at that Arch. Your eyes gravitate toward it, which makes it a genius decision to have the stadium built from where you could get a perfect view of the Arch. The stadium itself just fine, but the skyline view is enough reason for any baseball fan to give this place a visit at some point.

 

11. Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers)

Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers)
Mark Cunningham / Getty Images

This is another stadium that is simply fine but is special because of the Detroit skyline view, which serves as a spectacular background for Comerica Park. It was going to be tough to top Tiger Stadium (at least from an aesthetic standpoint), but Comerica Park did so in all aspects. 

 

10. Globe Life Park in Arlington (Texas Rangers)

Globe Life Park in Arlington (Texas Rangers)
Cooper Neill / Getty IMages

It's a real shame that this stadium currently has a known expiration date, since the Rangers are currently building its replacement. While the current stadium's flaws (such as a lack of a roof in a place) are understandable, it's still a pretty park to look at and take in a baseball game. It's one of the most unique ballparks in all of baseball, but a bit of the character will be lost when the roof goes on the new ballpark.

 

9. Target Field (Minnesota Twins)

Target Field (Minnesota Twins)
Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images

The Metrodome and its aesthetically awful quirks are now a distant memory thanks to the construction of this gorgeous baseball stadium right in the middle of Minneapolis. The usage of local limestone is a touch of genius on the part of the designers, as was the idea to use the classic Twins logo as part of the center field theme. They absolutely nailed the design of this stadium, and it's one that should stand the test of time.

 

8. Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals)

Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

After finalizing renovations ahead of the 2009 season, the Royals came out of that rebuild with one of the nicer looking baseball stadiums that you will see. It doesn't have a an urban skyline to gawk at, but the rest of the stadium is too pretty to look at to even miss that. The famous fountains are lovely, and the familiar crown logo being transformed into a scoreboard is a real touch of inspiration. This is an especially nice ballpark. 

 

7. Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles)

Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles)
Brace Hemmelgarn / Getty Images

When it comes to modern baseball stadiums, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the trailblazer that got things going. It's especially nice when you consider that the stadium has managed to withstand Father Time's assault. Instead of looking outdated or rusty, the stadium has continued to serve as a great venue for baseball and one of the best in the game.

 

6. Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images

You don't need a skyline view when you can get a look at the gorgeous backdrop of Elysian Park and the San Gabriel Mountains, which is exactly what Dodger Stadium provides its fans. The scoreboards and outfield pavilion roofs in the outfield are both truly unique features that add to the overall character of the stadium. It's the largest in baseball, and yet it never comes off as cavernous.

 

5. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)

Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
Johnathan Daniel / Getty Images

Needless to say, Wrigley Field has truly withstood the test of time. The recent renovations have made sure that the stadium won't fall by the wayside anytime soon and have also assured that the stadium doesn't lose its unique neighborhood vibe and aesthetics as it continues to get a face lift. It's amazing that this park has lasted as long as it has, and it's good to see Chicago is making sure that it will stay around for years to come.

 

4. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)

Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

Just like Wrigley Field, it's amazing that this stadium has managed to stick around for as long as it has. While it definitely doesn't have much in terms of modern amenities, it's easily one of the best looking stadiums in all of baseball when it comes to interior views. It's tough to beat seeing the imposing Green Monster, and watching a home run go over that wall will never, ever get old.

 

3. Petco Park (San Diego Padres)

Petco Park (San Diego Padres)
Andy Hayt / Getty Images

San Diego is a beautiful city, and Petco Park is a beautiful ballpark. You really get the best of the best when it comes to this stadium. There's an amazing view, the lovely aesthetic incorporation of the landmark Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field, and the entire stadium itself still looks just as nice and fresh as it did when it opened in 2004. Add in the perfect weather, and it's easy to see why a certain baseball player would be willing to spend 10 years playing the sport here.

 

2. PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates)

PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Joe Robbins / Getty Images

If San Diego's coastal paradise isn't appealing to you, then the industrial beauty that comes from PNC Park's amazing backdrop should whet your appetite. It's one thing to get just a skyline view. It's another thing to get a view of a beautiful bridge and a river as well. The stadium itself was well-designed to boot, and that is another piece of the recipe that gives the Pirates an astonishingly good baseball stadium.

 

1. AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)

AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)
Alex Trautwig / Getty Images

There's no better backdrop in all of baseball than what you get when you walk through the doors of Oracle Park in San Francisco. The view will always be gorgeous, and it helps when the interior is beautifully adorned with a brick design that will be around for a long, long time. This stadium is absolutely amazing from an aesthetic standpoint and while there are beautiful stadiums elsewhere, this ballpark is the cream of the crop.

Demetrius Bell can be contacted on Twitter @fergoe, which is where you can catch him tweeting mostly about any and everything under the sun. If you enjoyed what you've been reading, then go ahead and give him a follow!

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