Ballpark figures
A
handful of ballparks will be seeing their last seasons of baseball in 1999.
Each of them deserved to be sent off on its own.
10. Tiger Stadium: It's old, rickety and in a bad neighborhood.
But hey, it has plenty of charm and history that will be remembered during
its last season. Plus, Ernie Harwell is still calling games there. Luckily
for Tiger fans, they have a decent enough team that could compete for at
least the wild card to send the place off in style.
11. Candlestick/3Com Park: It was sometimes described as a toilet
bowl with the lid open. The wind swirled around like crazy and wreaked
havoc on everyone inside. Yet somehow that was its charm. As one user from
San Francisco put it, "It will be your last chance to wear a ski parka to
watch a Giants game in July." Next year, the Giants head to Pac Bell Park
in downtown San Francsico.
12. Astrodome: A great idea when first conceived in the 1960s,
playing indoors with artificial turf to avoid the oppressive Texas summer
heat. However, Astroturf is being phased out slowly because it causes too
many injuries. Now the "Eighth Wonder of the World" has become a baseball
artifact, still looking and feeling a lot like a science fiction film of
the 1960s. The Astros will move to the ballpark at Union Station in 2000.
13. County Stadium: Forget about those "new" old-style stadiums
like Camden Yards and Jacobs Field, Milwaukee's County Stadium still seems
like it should be the home of the Braves. But it still has the best
ballpark food in all of the majors as well as Benny the Brewer ready to
dive into the giant mug of beer after a home run. Enjoy the true old-time
feel while it lasts for the Brew Crew will move to Miller Park across the
street next year.
14. Kingdome: This concrete jungle will be the first to bid
goodbye to its tenants. The Mariners head into Safeco Field (complete with
retractable roof) on July 15 where fans can actually get some fresh air
while Junior and A-Rod pierce the sky with their homers.
OK, these
parks aren't going anywhere now, but they still have their own charms
...
15. Bank One Ballpark, specifically the pool: OK, so it's not for
the purists who like to sit in the bleachers and watch a game. But, hey
it's a great target for the power hitters.
16. Wrigley Field: Sitting in the bleachers at this shrine is
still the best place to watch a baseball game. Besides, Sammy Sosa is out
there to play up to the crowd. If the Cubs can put up another playoff run
like last year (OK, maybe a stretch without Kerry Wood), the place will be
electric.
17. Fenway Park: It will host this year's All-Star Game, probably
the last that park will ever see. The home run derby should be very
entertaining with the Green Monster in play. How many balls will Mark McGwire
park on Landsdowne Street? Plus, if the circumstances are right, Roger Clemens
might even start the game -- how cruel for Red Sox fans.
