The Baseball Pilgrim: A Phillies Fan's Voyage

Let's talk about life goals. Some people want to travel abroad and live in different cultures. Others find nirvana traveling all over to various music festivals, whatever the genre may be. For the sports fan, a life goal could be to witness their favorite team win a championship series or game live. For "The Baseball Pilgrim," the goal was to attend a game at every MLB ballpark.

I have a similar goal, which is to go to a game at each NHL team's home arena. However, to accomplish this feat in one season requires an insatiable hunger for the game. That fits the description for "The Baseball Pilgrim" Dan Keely. He was able to check this bucket list item all during the 2019 MLB season. During his travels, he provided us with his take about each ballpark, ranking them from worst to best.

Yesterday would've been MLB Opening Day. This journey is more than worthy of MLB Opening Day exposure in 2020. While we are all stuck at home due to COVID19 putting a pause on the sporting world, let's live vicariously through the voyage of "The Baseball Pilgrim" Dan Keely:

Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field

It should be made clear that "The Baseball Pilgrim" Dan Keely had a slew of factors that brought him to each decision, based on personal experience. At the top of his list, coming in at number thirty is Tropicana Field. "The Trop" is located in St. Petersburg, Florida and has been home to the Devil Rays since 1998. This is the smallest MLB stadium when measuring seating capacity.

Houston Astros - Minute Maid Park

"The Juice Box," located in Houston, Texas opened in 2000. This is the first retractable-roofed stadium the Astros have had, which makes sense because it replaced The Astrodome, the first domed sports stadium ever built. The capacity of this stadium is set at 41,168.

Oakland Athletics - Oakland Coliseum

This stadium is a multipurpose stadium, being the last remaining stadium in the United States shared by an NFL and MLB team. Between 1968-2019, this stadium was shared between the Athletics and the Oakland Raiders. It's the eighth largest MLB stadium for seating capacity and was the second smallest NFL stadium, only larger than Dignity Health Sports Park.

New York Mets - Citi Field

When "The Baseball Pilgrim" Dan Keely went to Citi Field, it was during the tenth year that the field was the home for the Mets. This replaced Shea Stadium. The first home game the Mets played at Citi Field was hosting the San Diego Padres. In 2013, Citi Field was also the host of the MLB All-Star Game.

Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre

"The Skydome" is nearby the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. This is one of my favorite cities that I've ever visited, but the stadium comes in at number 26 according to "The Baseball Pilgrim." This is the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof with a hotel attached.

Miami Marlins - Marlins Park

The Miami Marlins called this park home in 2012 and was the most environmentally friendly park according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) the same year. It's the third-smallest stadium in the MLB for seating capacity and smallest in size. Marlins Park was home to the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.

Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field

"The Snake Pit" is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The ballpark opened in 1998 for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team. This is the first stadium built in the United States with a retractable roof and a natural-grass field. The natural-grass was replaced with turf in 2019.

San Francisco Giants - Oracle Park

Since 2000, this has been the ballpark for the Giants. This is one of the ballparks that I would love to visit because of McCovey Cove. Alongside being the home of the Giants, Oracle Park was once the home of the San Francisco Demons during the first stint of the XFL. The transportation to get to Oracle Park come in different variants, including by Muni Metro and various ferries of the San Francisco Bay.

Chicago White Sox - Guaranteed Rate Field

"Comiskey Park" is the original name, but the current name was decided in 2016. "Old Comiskey Park" was demolished to make parking spots for this new stadium. In the parking lot of Guaranteed Rate Field, the Chicago White Sox still pay a respectable homage to "Old Comiskey Park" with the old foul lines painted in the parking lot.

Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park

This replaced Tiger Stadium in 2000. The capacity of this ballpark stands at 41,083 and sits on the original site of the Detroit College of Law. There are eight tiger statues throughout the park, which include growling sounds and the eyes lighting up when the Tigers hit a home run or win.

Minnesota Twins - Target Field

This ballpark is not only the home of the Twins but is the occasional home of the University of Minnesota baseball team. Since it opened in 2010, Target Field has hosted the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. In 2010, ESPN The Magazine rated Target Field as the best baseball stadium experience in North America.

Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park

This is the fifth different ballpark for the Pirates. Opened in 2001 after playing at Three Rivers Stadium, PNC Park was built just east. The ballpark has natural-grass and several tributes to all-time great, Roberto Clemente. PNC Park played host to the 2006 MLB All-Star Game. It's widely considered one of the better ballparks because of location, views of the Pittsburgh skyline and Alleghany River, and great seats.

Atlanta Braves - Suntrust Park

As of 2020, Suntrust Park is now known as Truist Park. However, when "The Baseball Pilgrim" attended a Braves game last season, they played at Suntrust Park. Just like the New York Mets, the Braves played their first game at Suntrust Bank against the San Diego Padres.

continued on the page below.

Seattle Mariners - T-Mobile Park

T-Mobile Park opened in 1999 and has the capacity to hold 47,929 fans. When "The Kingdome" was doubted as an MLB stadium, the ownership group of the Mariners threatened to relocate the team. T-Mobile Park hosted Wrestlemania XIX in 2003, which attracted a record attendance of 54,097, but the stadium was known as Safeco Field.

Washington Nationals - Nationals Park

When the Montreal Expos franchise relocated to Washington DC, they became the Nationals. The Nationals temporarily played at RFK Stadium until Nationals Park was completed. It is the first LEED-certified green major sports stadium in the United States, four years before the Miami Marlins. The Washington Monument and Capitol building are visible from the upper deck.

San Diego Padres - Petco Park

Petco Park replaced Qualcomm Stadium, which the Padres shared with the San Diego Chargers. This stadium was opened in 2004 and has carried a record attendance of 45,567. The address to Petco Park is 19 Tony Gwynn Drive.

Cleveland Indians - Progressive Field

"The Jake" was ranked as the best MLB ballpark in 2008 according to Sports Illustrated. Previously, the Indians shared this ballpark with the Cleveland Browns. When this ballpark opened, the Indians sold out 455 consecutive games between 1995-2001. The Indians hosted three World Series at Progressive Field.

Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodgers Stadium

The "Blue Heaven on Earth" was opened in 1962. It's the third-oldest ballpark in the MLB and the largest baseball stadium by capacity. This pitcher's ballpark has hosted twelve no-hitters, which include two perfect games. In 2020, Dodgers Stadium will host the MLB All-Star Game and in 2028, will host baseball during the Summer Olympics. Dodgers Stadium also played host to the 2014 NHL Stadium Series game between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim Angels - Angel Stadium

"The Big A" opened in 1966 and was also the home to the Los Angeles Rams from 1980-1994. It's the fourth-oldest MLB stadium. The landmark "Big A" sign is 230ft tall featuring a halo that lights up when the Angels win. The fans say "light that baby up" in reference to the halo illuminating after a win.

New York Yankees - New Yankee Stadium

"The Bronx Zoo" is home to the Yankees and the New York City FC. It's located one block north of the original Yankee Stadium. New Yankee Stadium has some replica elements of the original Yankee Stadium. At $1.5 billion, New Yankee Stadium is one of the most expensive stadiums ever built.

Boston Red Sox - Fenway Park

"America's Most Beloved Ballpark" is the oldest ballpark in the MLB. Fenway Park was built in 1912 and rebuilt in 1934. Since it has been rebuilt and renovated, Fenway Park has a few strange features like "The Triangle," Pesky's Pole, and the Green Monster. It's the second-smallest ballpark. Fenway Park has hosted eleven World Series and the 2010 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Baltimore Orioles - Camden Yards

This ballpark was built in 1992 and is located only a few blocks west of Inner Harbor. On the way to the ballpark, you can grab an early brunch and get a few brews at a bar all on the way to Camden Yards from the Inner Harbor. The very first game at Camden Yards featured the Orioles hosting the Cleveland Indians.

Colorado Rockies - Coors Field

Opened in 1995, Coors Field is two blocks away from Union Station. Before Coors Field, the Rockies played their first two seasons at "Mile High Stadium." Due to the high elevation in Colorado, this is a hitters ballpark in the same way that NFL kickers convert longers field goals at "Mile High Stadium." To combat the high elevation effect on hit baseballs, the outfield fences are further away from home plate and game balls are pre-stored in humidors.

St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium

"Baseball Heaven" is another name for Busch Stadium. Opened in 2006, the Cardinals hosted the Milwaukee Brewers in their first game at Busch Stadium, winning 6-4. This stadium is the third stadium in St. Louis to carry the Busch name.

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field

The Cubs played their first home game in 1916 at "Weeghman Park" against the Cincinnati Reds. The ballpark was then renamed to Wrigley Field in 1927. This is the second-oldest ballpark in the MLB. Known for the ivy-covered brick wall, Wrigley Field was also the last MLB ballpark to have lights installed for play after dark.

Milwaukee Brewers - Miller Park

Built in 2001, Miller Park replaced "Milwaukee County Stadium." In 2021, the ballpark is scheduled to be renamed to "American Family Field." This stadium features the only fan-shaped convertible roof in North America. The seating capacity stands at 41,900 and the record attendance at Miller Park is 46,218.

Texas Rangers - Globe Life Park

"The Big Ball" was home to the Texas Rangers when "The Baseball Pilgrim" was on his journey to visit every ballpark in 2019. The Rangers vacated from Globe Life Park to "Globe Life Field," which was set to open in 2020. Now, Globe Life Park is home to the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.

Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ballpark

Opened in 2003, Great American Ballpark replaced "Cinergy Field." In 2015, Great American Ballpark hosted the MLB All-Star Game. The Gap, which is a 35ft gap between the stands, provides views into the stadium from downtown and views of the skyline from the ballpark. The Power Stacks, two smokestacks, emit flames and launch fireworks depending on the efforts of the team. Usually, flames are spewed after a strikeout and fireworks are launched after a home run.

Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium

"The K" is located across from Arrowhead Stadium, home of the reigning Superbowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The ballpark is named after Ewing Kauffman, the founder of the Royals. It opened in 1973 as "Royals Stadium" and was renamed in 1993 to Kauffman Stadium. The attendance capacity of Kauffman Stadium, including standing room, is 40,625.

Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park

It's been home to the Phillies since 2004, replacing "Veterans Stadium." The first game at Citizens Bank Park saw the Phillies lose to the Cincinnati Reds, 4-1. Citizens Bank Park has natural-grass and is true to home with Philadelphia-style concessions. The stadium seats 42,792 and is located across from Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center. Citizens Bank Park also played host to the 2012 NHL Winter Classic between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.

Give a follow to "The Baseball Pilgrim" Dan Keely at @ABaseballVoyage on Twitter. His run through all the MLB ballparks is not only awesome but inspiring for any sports fan with similar goals. He's not only a die-hard Philadelphia Phillies fan, but he is a true fan of the game. Follow me (@EricReesePSN) and Philly Sports Network (@PhiladelphiaSN) on Twitter for more content that you won't find elsewhere.

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports