Oldest MLB Stadiums

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One of my favorite things about baseball is the history that surrounds the game.

If you visit some of the old MLB parks around the country, it will feel as if you are going back in time as many of the stadiums are almost exactly the same as they were almost 100 years ago.

Wrigley and Fenway are my two favorite stadiums because of their history, but the other parks listed below are worth checking out.

MLB

Let’s take a look at some of the oldest MLB and Non-MLB stadiums in the USA: 

Fenway Park

An iconic stadium with distinct dimensions and the famous “Green Monster,” Fenway Park has housed the Boston Red Sox since 1912.

Just seeing the stadium is on the bucket list of baseball fans around the world. Fenway has been home to some of the game’s great moments and has hosted home legends such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and David Ortiz. Fenway has gotten updates and renovations throughout the years, and no Boston sports fan is eager to talk about ever needing to replace it.

Wrigley Field

Major League Baseball’s “lovable losers” have played at Wrigley Field for more than 100 years, dating back to 1916.

Wrigley is unique in many ways, from the ivy covering the outfield fence, to the rooftop viewing spots outside the park, to the fact that the Cubs only played day games at home until, under heavy protest, lights were added in 1988.

While Chicago has a loyal fanbase, riding the train to Wrigleyville and singing “Go Cubs, Go!” in person is a time-honored tourist activity in the Windy City.

Dodger Stadium

It’s been more than 60 years that the Dodgers have called the park next to Chavez Ravine home.

Built in 1962, Dodger Stadium contains more than 56,000 fans, making it the largest stadium used primarily for professional baseball in the United States. Baseball fans have seen it on the screen countless times as Kirk Gibson’s walk-off shot in the 1988 World Series has been replayed.

Many movies have included scenes at Dodger Stadium, including the Sandlot and The Fast and the Furious.

Angel Stadium

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A fact that may be surprising to some is that the “Big A” is only four years newer than the other, more famous Los Angeles ballpark.

Angels Stadium was constructed in 1966 and has had various names. One iconic feature of the Angels’ home venue is the collection of scenic rocks beyond the centerfield fence.

Down the street from Disneyland, the park hosts many first-time visitors who have the opportunity to see arguably the two biggest names in baseball – Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani – take the field together.

RingCentral Coliseum

Despite having many different names, the stadium Oaklanders refer to as “The Coliseum” has seen better days.

Home to the A’s since 1968, and their first home since the franchise moved from Kansas City, the Coliseum was once also home to the NFL’s Raiders and has been the home to baseball icons such as Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, and Dennis Eckersley. New venues and even perhaps a new home city are currently being considered for the franchise.

Kauffman Stadium

For many, Kaufmann Stadium is one of the most beautiful ballparks, due in large part to its fountains beyond the outfield fence and its less-populated outfield seating area.

Built in 1973, Kaufmann also has a distinctive crown atop its outfield video board. Multiple features combine to make Kaufmann seem a little less commercial and a little more like a ballpark than many other MLB venues. 

Rogers Center

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The Rogers Center looked like the future when it opened in 1989. Home of the Blue Jays, the venue features an onsite hotel, the first retractable roof in the major leagues, and a dizzying view of the CN Tower when the roof is open.

Toronto played host to the World Series in 1992, becoming the first World Series site outside of the U.S.

It happened again the next year, as the Blue Jays became back-to-back champions.

Tropicana Field

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Unfortunately, “The Trop” often tops lists of the ugliest MLB stadiums.

Built in 1990, the MLB venue actually located in St. Petersburg has hosted the Rays since they became a team in 1998. Many have viewed Tropicana Field as only a temporary home to the Rays, and plans are finally coming together for a new stadium proposed to be ready for the 2028 season.

A defining feature of the ballpark is the aquarium beyond the right-center field fence, which gives young fans the opportunity to touch a real ray.

Non-MLB

Centennial Field

Located in Burlington, Vermont, Centennial Field has been around since 1906.

The University of Vermont has called the venue home, but it currently hosts the Vermont Lake Monsters, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

In  July of 1994, a game was played at Centennial Field between the Montreal Expos and the Boston Red Sox, due to a roof collapse at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Rickwood Field

Birmingham boasts Rickwood Field, a ballpark that has been in use since 1910 and holds 10,000 spectators.

In 1931, an exhibition was played at Rickwood Field between the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and the Chicago White Sox. A 20-year-old outfielder made his mark for the Barons, with two home-runs. His name? Willie Mays.

Wahconah Park

Another stadium that has seen more than 100 years of baseball is Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Known for its manually-operated scoreboard and wooden grandstand, Wahconah is now home to a summer baseball team called the Pittsfield Suns.

In 1981, a minor league game at Wahconah Park lasted 33 innings and more than eight hours, making it the longest professional game in history.

Luther Williams Field

Satchel Paige took the mound at Luther Williams Field in Macon, Georgia, in 1934 for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts of the Negro Leagues.

Built five years earlier, the venue hosts a summer league team called the Macon Bacon. Located in the middle of a neighborhood, Luther Williams field produces a game atmosphere unlike any other.

Final Word 

Even if you can only check off a couple of stadiums a year before you know it as the years go by you will start checking off almost every MLB stadium. If your goal is to visit every MLB park in the country I recommend starting with the old stadiums since you will get an appreciation for the history behind them.