The fans have spoken: after multiple rounds of polling, Ballpark Digest readers have voted PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the leading Major League Baseball facility in the website’s Best of the Ballparks competition.
“There are so many outstanding MLB ballparks out there, and our readers certainly know quality when they see it,” said Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest publisher. “With a lovely Allegheny River location and the ultimate site in downtown Pittsburgh, PNC Park combines a timeless design with everything fans expect in a modern ballpark.”
PNC Park opened April 9, 2001 as the fifth home in the Pirates’ long, storied history. Seating 38,362 and designed by Populous, the $262-million PNC Park has been hailed by many fans and authors as one of the best ballparks in the majors. With downtown Pittsburgh serving as a scenic backdrop and a dramatic entry via the Roberto Clemente Bridge, PNC Park provides fans with the ultimate baseball experience with retro, romantic architecture combined with modern fan amenities.
“We are proud of this distinction for PNC Park, especially the recognition is provided by such an informed group of voters. This honor is a testament to the vision of all of those who played a part in the design and construction of PNC Park, and to the men and women of the Pirates staff who work tirelessly to make certain the guest experience in PNC Park matches the brilliance of the ballpark itself,” Frank Coonelly, Pirates President, said. “It is important for the Pirates, as well as for the city of Pittsburgh, that PNC Park continues to be recognized as one of Major League Baseball’s iconic ballparks for generations to come.”
It’s been a month-long-plus celebration of ballparks at Ballpark Digest, where fans earlier were asked to choose their favorite Minor League Baseball, independent and summer-collegiate ballparks through online voting. Fans were also asked to choose their favorite former MLB ballpark: Ebbets Field won in that competition. A full list of Best of the Ballparks winners can be found at ballparkdigest.com/awards.
Here is our ranking of all 30 MLB ballparks:
1. AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)
2. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
3. PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates)
4. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
5. Target Field (Minnesota Twins)
6. Dodger Stadium (Los Angels Dodgers)
7. Oriole Park (Baltimore Orioles)
8. Coors Field (Colorado Rockies)
9. Petco Park (San Diego Padres)
10. Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners)
11. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
12. Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals)
13. Citi Field (New York Mets)
14. Progressive Field (Cleveland Indians)
15. Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
16. Comerica Park (Detroit Tigers)
17. Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)
18. Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
19. Marlins Park (Miami Marlins)
20. Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros)
21. Angel Stadium (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
22. Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
23. Globe Life Park (Texas Rangers)
24. Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays)
25. Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
26. U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox)
27. Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)
28. Turner Field (Atlanta Braves)
29. O.co Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)
30. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays)
Results are listed by percentage of votes cast.
Top image of PNC Park courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bottom image by Jim Robins.