What are the Oldest MLB Stadiums?
The oldest Major League Stadiums (MLB) stadiums are scattered throughout the United States, but the oldest one to date is located in Boston, Massachusetts, home to the Boston Red Sox. Fenway Park is the oldest MLB stadium and has been home to the Red Sox since opening in 1912 where the team won the first game they ever played against the later renamed New York Yankees. Along with being the oldest MLB stadium, it is also one of the smallest stadiums in the MLB seating about 40,000 fans. The stadium has been renovated but never changed its structure. “The Green Monster” is the field’s most known feature which is the wall in left field which is that tallest within the MLB. Fenway was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Oldest Baseball Stadiums: Wrigley Field
Next up for the oldest stadium in the MLB is Wrigley Field. Opening up in 1914 in Chicago Illinois, Wrigley Field is the oldest stadium in the National League and is home to the Chicago Cubs.
Although it was built in 1914, Wrigley Field did undergo some renovations, but the location and main structure remain the same. Wrigley Field was one of the first stadiums to have permanent concessions stands and is known for the ivy outfield walls.
Wrigley Field also only got stadium lighting in 1988. Prior to that, all games were played during the daytime, and still to this day, the Cubs play the most matinee baseball games than any team in the league. From 1921 to 1970, the Chicago Bears also were tenants of Wrigley Field.
Dodger Stadium
The third oldest stadium in the MLB is Dodger Stadium, built in 1962 in Los Angeles, California, and home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This stadium is only one of the three oldest stadiums still standing from when the MLB expanded their efforts out towards the west coast and is the oldest stadium west of the Mississippi River. Dodger Stadium overlooks Los Angeles and is the only MLB stadium that has not renovated to add more seating options to the stadium yet it has welcomed over 3.85 million fans, the most fans in the whole league with an exceptionally picturesque landscape to awe them from their seats as well.
Oldest Baseball Stadiums: Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium, built in 1966, is the fourth oldest MLB stadium. It is home to the Angels but, in 1980, the Rams of the NFL also used the stadium for their home football games for the next 14 years. With the stadium being used for both football and baseball, an expansion for 23,000 more seats was added. When the Rams left for St. Louis is 1996, the stadium was then renovated again for just baseball use.
The Oakland Coliseum
The fifth-oldest MLB stadium is the Oakland Coliseum also built in 1966 in Oakland, California. Occupants of the stadium included the Raiders and the Athletics. Although the Raiders have had different stays in the Coliseum, the A’s have stayed loyal since 1968.
The stadium was intended for football use so as a ballpark, this stadium has the largest foul ball territory in the whole league. Until this year (2019), the Coliseum was the only stadium still used for both the Raiders and the A’s.
Are the Oldest MLB Stadiums Worth Visiting?
Besides the history within the oldest MLB stadiums, they are definitely worth visiting for plenty of other reasons as well.
Fenway Park may be one of the most widely known baseball stadiums across the country. Every baseball fan, whether a Red Sox fan or not would feel star struck stepping foot in that stadium for the first time. Fenway is the first and oldest MLB stadium in the league and recognized nationally for the history it has given to not only the sports world but also the nation. Baseball is America’s game, and Fenway gave America what they wanted: a team that they could have pride in.
Fenway Park offers site tours that feature the famous Green Monster wall, Pesky’s Pole, and the Red Seat. All features of historical feats that happened in Fenway Park.
Wrigley Field may not be the oldest MLB stadium in the league, but it is the oldest MLB stadium within the National League. Wrigley Field, like Fenway Park, is also full of history that would make any baseball fan want to visit being a Cub’s fan or not.
The stadium was one of the few that doubled as a football field for a short time and is the place of the highest-scoring baseball game in history: versus the Phillies 26-23. Wrigley Field tours are available as well through the box office or Cubs website. The tours feature a trip down to the field, the dugout, the visitor’s clubhouse, and exclusive suites. Wrigleyville is also a popular destination that includes sports bars, unique snacks, hotels, and alternate seating for games.
Dodger Stadium is known as a baseball cathedral and on non-game days is still open to the public and offers tours of the stadium as well. The tour features a trip down to the field, the dugout, exclusive suites, World Series Trophies and other surprises along the way.
The upper deck of the stadium is open to the public and offers magnificent views that not many other ballparks have to offer. Tourists have often come with picnic baskets to enjoy lunch with a view. The stadium is located in downtown LA which leads any fan to sightsee through the rest of the city as well.
Angel Stadium features a giant A with a halo above the scoreboard which is a feature anyone visiting the stadium cannot miss. The stadium features the “outfield extravaganza” which is a rock pile in the outfield that represents the California Coast.
The stadium also features tours to the public as well as a fan store and a small shrine that features Angels memorabilia, including the 2002 World Series trophy. The tour includes a trip down to the field, the dugout, the visitor’s clubhouse, the press conference room and visits to exclusive suits.
Oakland Coliseum is a multi-sport facility that makes it unique in its own way to begin with. Tours of this stadium include seeing and going to places that normally are not open to the public. Visitors on the tour will be able to see the press box, the owner’s suite, the press conference room, the dugouts, and the visitors’ clubhouse.
The Oakland Coliseum is also the last multi-sport facility still being used as one. The Oakland Raiders are moving out of the stadium which means the Athletics will have it all to themselves, so it is best to visit this park sooner rather than later.
What are the newest stadiums in baseball?
The oldest MLB stadiums are rich in history and nostalgia. The newest MLB stadiums are rich in features that you would never think an MLB stadium needed. The newest stadium on the block is Sun Trust Park in Atlanta Georgia, home to the Atlanta Braves. This park opened in 2017 and features a “downtown” atmosphere outside the ballpark with bars, restaurants, and shops that surround the stadium.
Next is Marlins Park in Miami, Florida, home to the Miami Marlins. This park opened in 2012 and features the “most horrific sculpture” of all time that comes to life when Miami gets a home run.
The third newest MLB stadium is Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to the Minnesota Twins. This ballpark opened in 2010. This also marked the first time that the twins would play home games in an open-air stadium.
