Ranking the 5 Worst Current Stadiums in the MLB
Grant White
Host · Writer
1. Oakland Athletics - Oakland Coliseum
When a Triple-A stadium is an upgrade to your current venue, you know you have some real issues. But that's the state of the Oakland Athletics and their monumentally disastrous Coliseum.
At this point, the Oakland Coliseum is literally being held together with duct tape. The disrepair is evident from the freeway, and it's not worth the $3 tickets for a closer inspection. The dugouts are so far from the actual diamond that players need to choose two walk-up songs, but I'm pretty sure the A's don't even pay anyone to operate the sound system at this point.
It's a miracle the Oakland Coliseum is still standing. But for the hardcore baseball fan who wants a closer look at the Athletics, just wait until they move to Las Vegas.
5. Milwaukee Brewers - American Family Field
Remove the novelty of the giant slide and the Milwaukee Brewers are left with a mediocre stadium in the middle of nowhere.
American Family Field tried as hard as it could to be an open-air venue, but it never will be. Giant windows span the outfield, causing glare and unnecessary shadows. Moreover, the retractable roof does nothing to make American Field feel like an outdoor stadium.
A gigantic eyesore from the outside, there aren't many redeeming qualities on the inside that would get anyone to travel to Milwaukee to watch the Brewers play willingly.
4. Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre
The Toronto Blue Jays' approach to improving their stadium is analogous to the state of the franchise as a whole. Rather than tearing things down and starting from scratch, the Jays have tried to renovate the Rogers Centre using a low-cost/cutting corners approach. While the viewing experience may have improved marginally, the Jays are still stuck playing in a multi-purpose arena adapted for several franchises.
The only saving grace for the Blue Jays is the accessibility of the Rogers Centre. Located in downtown Toronto, there is no shortage of venues or activities to embark on before or after the contest. But if your claim to fame is getting out of the stadium to enjoy activities elsewhere, you know you belong in the bottom five.
3. Los Angeles Angels - Angel Stadium
There's nothing like walking the concourse of an open-air stadium and soaking in all the views of the ballpark. Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Angels, no one gave that much thought when they designed Angel Stadium.
Located in the middle of a giant parking lot just off the freeway, Angel Stadium can boast nothing about its accessibility. Once you're in the stadium, it gets even worse. Giant concrete walkways on the outside of the stadium lead you to giant concrete columns on the inside. If you're lucky enough, you might come across one of the walkways that affords you a view of the actual field, set on the backdrop of more concrete highways.
One lap around the stadium and it's clear why Shohei Ohtani didn't want to play here anymore.
2. Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field
For the past 30 years, the Tampa Bay Rays have been criticized for playing in one of the worst stadiums in baseball. To address this, they have come up with a solution to build Tropicana Field 2.0 just across the parking lot. While the outlook for Trop 2.0 remains bleak, we can still bemoan the tragedy that is their current stadium.
Like the Angels, Tampa Bay's stadium is famously concrete. A drab interior matches the sunburnt white exterior with no sightlines to the field. Curiously, the Rays decided to close off their centerfield viewing area for a more elegant dining experience enjoyed by tens of fans a night. Don't bother asking to check out the second level, either. They won't let you up there. And when your ground rules include parameters for the catwalks that hold up a bright white ceiling, you know you have some issues.
Nevertheless, every baseball fan needs to witness the majesty of the Trop, if only for the stumble to Ferg's afterward.
1. Oakland Athletics - Oakland Coliseum
When a Triple-A stadium is an upgrade to your current venue, you know you have some real issues. But that's the state of the Oakland Athletics and their monumentally disastrous Coliseum.
At this point, the Oakland Coliseum is literally being held together with duct tape. The disrepair is evident from the freeway, and it's not worth the $3 tickets for a closer inspection. The dugouts are so far from the actual diamond that players need to choose two walk-up songs, but I'm pretty sure the A's don't even pay anyone to operate the sound system at this point.
It's a miracle the Oakland Coliseum is still standing. But for the hardcore baseball fan who wants a closer look at the Athletics, just wait until they move to Las Vegas.
5. Milwaukee Brewers - American Family Field
Remove the novelty of the giant slide and the Milwaukee Brewers are left with a mediocre stadium in the middle of nowhere.
American Family Field tried as hard as it could to be an open-air venue, but it never will be. Giant windows span the outfield, causing glare and unnecessary shadows. Moreover, the retractable roof does nothing to make American Field feel like an outdoor stadium.
A gigantic eyesore from the outside, there aren't many redeeming qualities on the inside that would get anyone to travel to Milwaukee to watch the Brewers play willingly.
