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The boys of summer are back. And with them comes every baseball fan’s urge to soak in the sun in one of the many beautiful ballparks around the continent (couldn’t leave you out, Toronto). With temperatures rising, summer vacation approaching, and unused PTO sitting and waiting to be burned, it’s the perfect time to plan a stadium tour. Baseball stadiums are undoubtedly the crown jewel of American sports venues: the expansive green grass, quirky outfields, skylines, and geographical landmarks are just parts of what make these American sports cathedrals magnificent and charming. Not all ballparks are created equal, however: some need to be renovated, some should be burned, and some will go down in history as great American landmarks. Let’s put these parks in their place. 30. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays Let’s just get this one out of the way. The worst place on earth to play any sport. 29. RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland Athletics There’s a reason that there has been talk of moving the A’s out of Oakland. They play baseball in a football stadium that is no longer home to a football team. 28. Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays Slightly better than Oakland and Tampa simply because there’s a view of the CN Tower from the 3rd-base line. Everything else about it is forgettable. Points for having a completely symmetrical outfield? 27. American Family Field, Milwaukee Brewers You’ll notice a trend: retractable roofs and indoor stadiums will suffer on this list. Formerly known as Miller Park, this ballpark looks more like a corporate building. Not much to write home about. The best part is probably the left-field slide that Bernie Brewer slides down after a Brewers home run. 26. LoanDepot Park, Miami Marlins What is the statue thing in left-center field? It’s cool and big, but this place looks like it was built to be a Miami hangout spot rather than a place to watch baseball. 25. Globe Life Field, Texas Rangers They built a stadium with a retractable roof and artificial turf in Arlington because it got so damn hot in the summer time that it was borderline dangerous to play and watch baseball in the Texas sun. At that point it’s probably just time to move the team. 24. Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros Don’t be fooled by the team’s recent success as a measuring stick for the ballpark’s charm. The train tracks in left field are cute. But from the Chick-fil-a signs on the foul poles, indoor-feel (even with the roof open), and train-depot aesthetic, it’s just kinda meh. 23. Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers It’s the 8th wonder of the world that Miguel Cabrera hit 500 home runs while playing primarily in this massive ballpark. The view is subpar, unless you like industrial buildings; and the cars out in center field are a little awkward. As if they need to remind you that you’re in the Motor City. 22. Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks It has a beautiful feel to it, despite its stuffy, indoor nature. The contrasted, striped grass is fresh, and it has the perfect antidote to that desert sun: the right-center field pool. 21. Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago White Sox It’s an average ballpark with nothing special about it. A fine place for a ball game. I have always wondered what those candy cane things are out in center field. 20. Nationals Park, Washington Nationals Any place that is home to a recent World Champion and also sits in the nation’s capital is going to get some love. Unlike some of the new-age parks built in the last few years, the Nationals didn’t try and do too much when they built this beauty in 2008. Simple and sweet. 19. Progressive Field, Cleveland Guardians A solid place to play ball, although it is in need of renovation.The wall in left field is trying to be the Green Monster, but the trees in center are a nice touch. 18. Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati Reds Catch a game here on a sun-soaked afternoon and you won’t be disappointed. The view of the Ohio River and Newport, KY hills are breath-taking. A calm, peaceful place to watch a pitiful team. 17. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Phillies The coniferous trees behind the short wall in center field next to the zig-zagging tall wall in left-center, the right-center field bell, and the distant skyline provide real charm. 16. T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners The best of all the retractable-roof parks by far, this venue is the only hybrid stadium that truly has an outdoor feel. The grass just seems greener than most (probably because all it does is rain in the Pacific Northwest). The only downside is how much magenta is plaguing the architecture since the T-Mobile rebranding. 15. Citi Field, New York Mets The blue and jagged outfield walls, orange foul poles, and Home Run “Big Apple” out in center field are all unique aspects that provide an individuality to this 21st-century park. A true upgrade to the old Shea Stadium that could seat about fifteen people in the outfield bleachers. 14. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers It’s got history, it’s been the home to mythical teams with all-time great players. But nostalgia only counts for so much. It’s a relatively standard design without many distinctive qualities. And that storage-like batter’s eye in center field is an eye sore. The beautiful canyon that it sits in is what saves this park from not being lower on the list. 13. Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees How dare I place this so low on the list. The reason it’s this high on the list is out of respect. First off, the field dimensions are atrocious. A lazy fly ball in almost every other park is a home run in left or right field. The skyline view is sorta meh considering it’s in New York. Most of all though, this is like owning a copy of the Declaration of Independence for your classroom. There is no history to this ballpark. It’s not the “House that Ruth Built”; and sorry, the “House that Jeter Built” doesn’t have the same ring. You’re welcome for not putting you lower, Yankees fans. 12. Truist Park, Atlanta Braves Atlanta did it right when they moved from Turner Field in 2017. Built into the beautiful Battery district, its simple design wins in an era of over-architected stadiums (talking to you, Miami). The brick wall beneath the Chop House provides a variable that complicates things just enough for visiting right fielders. 11. Petco Park, San Diego Padres Nestled in-between shimmering skyscrapers in downtown San Diego, Petco is a glorious place to witness a Major League game. The historic Western Metal Supply Co. building built into the left-field line is unlike anything else in the sport, while the minimal center-field architecture allows for a beautiful view of the city; the palm trees out there don’t hurt either. 10. Coors Field, Colorado Rockies Location, location, location. The mediocre Colorado baseball franchise has one of the best ballparks in the land in large part because of its Rocky Mountain backdrop. I suppose the team is adequately named. The pine trees and greenery in the center-field batter’s eye and rocky streams in the right-center-field bullpens make it actually feel like you’re in the mountains. 9. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles A beautiful home for an abysmal baseball team. The historic and repurposed B&O Warehouse behind the right-field porch, (which rivals the quirkiness of the Western Metal Supply Co. building at Petco Park) and the great skyline view provide pretty things to look at since Oriole fans need to look away from their pathetic team every so often. The new left-field wall design is bad, and frankly dangerous for any left-fielder trying to cut off a ball deep in the gap. 8. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City Royals The crown jewel (get it?) of the lower Midwest. The crown on the center-field jumbotron. The waterfalls and fountains in the right-center field. It’s quite the picture. Only downside is that it feels a little dark there during night games. 7. Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants There may not be a more unique place in the league. The giant (yes, the Giants did this intentionally) Coke-bottle slide and old-time four-fingered glove behind left field are just odd. And what’s the deal with that car-shaped bulge in the left-field fence? But the sneaky-big outfield, right-field garages and short porch backing up to the Bay are special. Don’t forget the kayak wars. 6. Angel Stadium, Los Angeles Angels The grassy hills behind the left-center- and center-field walls would be highlights in most stadiums, but the rocky waterfall takes the cake here. It’s even more picturesque when Mike Trout is pulling a home run back in front of that waterfall. The massive Angels hats in front of the entrance are almost hilariously large and unique. 5. Target Field, Minnesota Twins If a Twins fan tells you they want the Metrodome back, just ignore them. Thank goodness that retractable roof idea was dismissed. There are many subtle aspects to Target field that make it unique. There’s the one-of-a-kind “living wall” batter’s eye sitting above the grassy berm behind the center field fence. The flower boxes behind the left-fence are a nice touch for a state that loves their summertime gardening (great photo ops here, too). If you’re going to play right field at Target Field, you’d better be ready for the four different surfaces to contend with: the Minnesota limestone overhang, the padded wall, the non padded section under the limestone, and the scoreboard. The skyline view with Minnie and Paul in the foreground is the perfect way to watch night fall on Minneapolis. 4. PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates Something with this franchise and Ps. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view in baseball. The Clemente Bridge crossing the Allegheny River, with the majestic skyline behind it is hard to beat. The variable outfield wall with the “PIRATES”-sculpted hedges behind center field are just quirky enough to make the park itself unique. 3. Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals Now this is a baseball stadium. Everything about this place just pops. The vibrant green grass, the “arch” mowed into the outfield grass, the red bleacher seats. The Old Courthouse historical landmark peeks out from behind the left-center field wall, bringing majesty and history to an already historic franchise’s home. What really brings this one home is the shimmering St. Louis Arch towering behind the center-field Budweiser sign. I’ve never understood the whole Big Mac Land thing, though. 2. Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs About the only negative things I can say about Wrigley Field are that it gets a little dark and shadowy at night (probably because they didn’t have permanent lights until 1988) and that playing outfield has to be about as dangerous as getting tackled by Ray Lewis. I wouldn’t have any interest in crashing into a brick wall covered in ivy to catch a flyball. The outfield basket is an oddity that must drive outfielders nuts. It’s got charm. It’s been around forever. It’s simple. There’s a reason it’s on every baseball fan’s bucket list. 1. Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox The oldest ballpark in the Bigs, Fenway is the weirdest place to play baseball. The massive Green Monster is so close to home plate that singles off the fence are nearly as common as doubles. The short right field fence is just flat out dangerous. The triangle and garage doors in center field cause all sorts of problems. Oh and don’t forget Pesky’s Pole: a hitter can hit a lazy fly ball down the right field line that ends up a home run (and would very likely be a foul ball in 29 other stadiums). The Citgo sign is to Fenway as PB is to J. These quirks and its history are second to none. Congrats Boston, another thing to puff your chests out about. Honorable mention: Field of Dreams, Iowa Yes, it is heaven. Commissioner Manfred needs to seriously consider adding a 31st team in Iowa solely for the fact that there can be Major League baseball played in this haven 81 nights a year. I may start a petition for the All-Star Game to be held here every summer. You simply can’t beat it. Check out my other unique sports content at the Bad Loser Blog; covering basketball, football, baseball, and the human side of sports.

This weekend, Thomas Nicholas who played Henry Rowengartner in the 1993 baseball movie Rookie of the Year (and Kevin Myers in the American Pie movies) will be performing in Minnesota and you can see him and even meet him. I had the chance to chat with the actor, producer and musician about his career. (ticket information near the bottom)Thomas Nicholas has quite the crazy schedule. Last weekend he was in Detroit for an event. This coming weekend, he will be performing at Outtakes Bar and Grill in New Hope on Saturday night and at the Heavy on Wrestling event on Sunday in Duluth. He’s had an acting career that has now spanned over three decades, and he is doing more and more behind the camera as well. He is heading to Portugal later this month for a film festival and while he’s there he’ll join some of his American Pie cast mates at Comic Con in Liverpool. He is currently working on his seventh musical album. In addition to all that, he and his wife are the parents of a second-grade son and a three-year old daughter who is just about to start preschool. Life is busy, but Nicholas is really happy about his life and his career. Rookie of the Year came out in 1993. He was not even a teenager when he became a star. The movie did well at the box office. It was referred to as a “Sleeper Hit.” It was never the top-billed movie at theaters, but it ended up making around $50 million in the box office. Maybe even more impressive, it is still a movie that people watch and enjoy. It has aged well. It may surprise many to learn that Nicholas wasn’t a baseball player as a child. He was busy running from audition to audition, something he had been doing that since before he was five. “I was kind of like Henry in that I grew up in a single-parent household. So, no. I wasn’t really into sports. In fact, I didn’t play baseball until after I shot Rookie of the Year. Then because of my audition schedule, I spent the majority of the season riding the bench because the coach said that if you miss practice during the week, then you ride the bench the next game. I was going on anywhere from three to 15 auditions a week at that time. So, I always rode the bench.” Rookie of the Year is now nearly 30 years old. As Nicholas notes, “The coolest part about that film... I never would have thought that it would have transcended through generations, and now parents are showing it to their kids. And it’s living on, so that’s pretty cool.” It strikes close to him now. “My kids have both seen the film, and they both enjoy it. Even my son at the early age of three saw a clip of the 12-year-old version of me and instantly recognized that that was his dad, which is pretty odd.” In movies, actors can go to some pretty cool locations to shoot scenes. For this movie, they got to spend time at Wrigley Field. “Being at Wrigley Field was pretty awesome. I didn’t have to be a baseball fan to realize the value of that time and that place.” In fact, the Cubs have him come back to Wrigley Field every year to throw out a first pitch and sometimes even sing during the 7th Inning Stretch. “I embrace it. I feel like if it was the only feather under my cap, I might be a bit more against the idea. But because there have been other successful moments in my career, I’ve really embraced some of the stuff like Rookie of the Year or even A Kid in King Arthur’s court. For the last ten, eleven years, I’ve been going back every year and throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for the Cubs. It’s always really cool to be back there and on the field and hanging with all the Cubs fans who loved that film. We had a good eight-year run where Henry Rowengartner was the last hope of the Cubs. It still goes beyond that even though they have now won a World Series.” He is bringing that “Rowengartner” Cubs jersey that he wore when throwing out the first pitch at a game in August in Chicago (seen in the photo above) with him to Minnesota this weekend, hoping to sell it and present the funds to charity. Following Rookie of the Year, he stayed quite busy. Then in 1999, American Pie came out. It may not have been a blockbuster hit, but it gained popularity over time and became incredibly successful. Two years later, he was in American Pie 2. Next came American Wedding. In 2012, he and much of the cast returned for American Reunion. The group still stays in contact despite separate careers and their own families. Early next month, he’ll be at Comic Con Liverpool with Chris Klein and Shannon Elizabeth and Tara Reid. He has played a variety of roles in his career. He was Walt Disney in the movie Walt Before Mickey. He starred in, and produced, Living Among Us. He has been a regular on TV shows such as Party of Five and had many guest appearances as well. He will be traveling to Portugal later this month for the Fantasporto Film Festival where his newest movie, Adverse, will open the festival, which is a huge honor. He’s very proud of the work he did acting but also producing. And, check out the trailer below. The movie looks intense, and what an impressive cast! He has already produced six feature films and some music videos and will be doing more behind the camera in the near future. In recent years, he’s been trying to be the producer on one film every other year. In 2020, he may be producing two movies. “I love being behind the camera while also being in front. It basically means I have less down time. As an actor, you’ll come in and do your scene, and then you’re just sort of on a break until the next set up or the next scene. So there’s a lot of down time. That’s actually why I started playing music, just because I was so bored during those middle moments. You don’t have any responsibilities during that time. So, as a producer, as soon as the cameras cut, I switch hats, and I don’t get that down time which is a lot more fun and exciting, I think.” Thomas Nicholas is also quite the musician. He noted that he is currently working on his seventh album. In fact, he has a single called “iWant” which will be released on Friday, Valentine’s Day.