30 Ballparks

During the blog's eight year hiatus, I missed a few good stories to feature. But even with the passage of time, a few of them still feel blog-worthy.

Here's one I've been wanting to tell.

Last September, I completed a goal that was 27 years in the making. In Pittsburgh,  I saw an MLB game in my 30th of 30 ballparks. (If we're connected on social media, you probably remember this detail but I beg forgiveness for the rest of those reading along).

The goal—to see a game in each of the 30 MLB ballparks—is not something I set out to do in June 1998 when my family and I went to the Rogers Centre in Toronto for a game between the Blue Jays and Mets.

Over the course of the next few years,  I checked off a few more ballparks and by the mid 2010s, I realized I was past the halfway mark. And, after COVID, I returned to the pursuit. I really ramped up the effort in recent years and that led me to Pittsburgh last September to check off #30 of 30 as I watched the Pirates host the Athletics.

Here's a collage of us at all 30.

If you're keeping score at home, the Toronto pic is just above the words "is just" on this line. The Pittsburgh photo is at the top near the upper left corner. I am wearing a black and white shirt (although in the photo, it looks to be gray). In between, 28 other parks and a lot of family fun.

When people know I have achieved the goal, they ask me the obvious question: "Which was your favorite?" Leaving out the classic facilities (Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium) and my favorite team's home park (Truist), I'd say some of my favorites are Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Oracle Park (San Fran) and, of course, Pittsburgh's PNC. But all of them are wonderful in their own uniqueness.

I remember sitting with great fans in Kansas City and, again, when seeing the Mets with Paul at Citi Field in Queens. The staff in Anaheim was extremely nice. The tailgating Brewer fans set a fun vibe in Milwaukee. Both ballparks in Texas had friendly fans and a festive atmostphere. And Lisa and I especially enjoyed our visit to Minnesota (that's the thumbnail near the top in which we are both wearing tuques).

Fun fact: a friend of mine who lives in Texas has been doing his own version of this pursuit and he will wrap things up in June. The Braves and Truist Park are a part of his final three. I will be with him as he checks off Atlanta and gets close to the finish line.

Over the years, we have enjoyed comparing notes and cheering each other on.  I've known other folks who have also celebrated their own chase.  I am quite sure each individual personalizes their pursuit. 

That thought brings me to another question people ask is: Will I go to new ballparks if MLB expands? Or a variation: If a team moves, will I need to visit the ballclub's new stadium? The short answer to both is no.

Whereas I might wind up at one of those facilities at some point in the future, the goal was the goal. And it is now "in the books."

And I gotta tell ya...when the game in Pittsburgh became an "official game," it was quite an uplifting feeling! I feel really fortunate and truly blessed to have been able to complete this quest.

JG