Joe Fan
10,000+ Posts
Houston attendence 1 behind Boston? I did not know that. The capacities are close -- Fenway ~ 40K; MMP ~ 42K. But a much bigger difference in payroll .......
Anyway, I agree with the original post -- just simply having MMP downtown and so accessable is a giant plus. Putting it there was smart business. (as those attendance figures reflect). Ditto for the decision to include a retractable roof. While the roof has not been without some controversy, it is an absolute need in Houston in the summer. The poster who said it can get really hot upstairs out of the wind nailed it. That roof neatly allows the opportunity for two completely different atmospheres for games. However, I am not a huge fan of the train either. But I think it was mainly for the kids, to make it more family friendly, and so for that I cut them some slack (and the kids do love their choo choo)(which I think is a real 19th century locomotive). Plus the design of the "railroad bridge" in left under the "train" is unique, making MMP instantly recognizable during televisied highlights, etc. As soon as you see that cream-colored arched wall, there is no doubt where the game was played. Its nice having that one distinctive element that sets you out from the crowd. So thats how I rationalize that.
The first year it opened, the short fence to the Crawford Boxes caused Enron Field to be the subject of much national discussion (and ridicule(*cough* Olberman suks *cough*)). Certain pitchers (you know who you are) totally wigged that season. However, all that early hoo-haa has faded. These days, MMP is not even in the top 10 as a run or HR producer. And the Crawford Boxes are a pretty fun place to watch from. Although the club level is best for viewing, IMO.
As to other parks, I think almost all of the new-retro parks were designed by the same firm (HOK of Kansas City) which means they all have several common elements. So claiming one is great but the other stinks is somewhat retarded.
I really like Camden, the first of the bunch. I lived in DC and you could metro to Union Station (best train station in the US), to jump the train to Balmer and be dropped off in front of the park entrance. How cool is that? Everyone can drink (starting with a sixpack on the train!) since no one has to drive. The smell of Boog's BBQ waftng through the outfield air is enough to make vegans salivate (and yes a big sweating Boog was really there cooking in a jumbo apron and yes you could really talk to him while munching a sausage sandwhich). Galvanized buckets of iced Heinies brought to you. Very nice, and I didnt even care about the O's or Cal.
PacBell is cool. Cold actually. Petco is in a fab location. Chavez Ravine is legend in LA (although the crowd legendarily awful). Hate me but I think both NY venues are overrated. Wrigley is still the best. Just walking up the that stadium is fun (and filling). Ive only been to the old ones is St Louis, Seattle and Anaheim, so thats it for my tour. As to the Arlington Park, seems typically Dallas to me. The flat and not so fruited plains burped up a shiney monolith surrounded by a sea of concrete parking lots. But you go with what you got.
ps -- did you know Boog Powell was actually the fourth Alou brother to Felipe, Matty and Jesus? It's true. But he changed his name later because he didnt want to be known as Boog Alou.
Anyway, I agree with the original post -- just simply having MMP downtown and so accessable is a giant plus. Putting it there was smart business. (as those attendance figures reflect). Ditto for the decision to include a retractable roof. While the roof has not been without some controversy, it is an absolute need in Houston in the summer. The poster who said it can get really hot upstairs out of the wind nailed it. That roof neatly allows the opportunity for two completely different atmospheres for games. However, I am not a huge fan of the train either. But I think it was mainly for the kids, to make it more family friendly, and so for that I cut them some slack (and the kids do love their choo choo)(which I think is a real 19th century locomotive). Plus the design of the "railroad bridge" in left under the "train" is unique, making MMP instantly recognizable during televisied highlights, etc. As soon as you see that cream-colored arched wall, there is no doubt where the game was played. Its nice having that one distinctive element that sets you out from the crowd. So thats how I rationalize that.
The first year it opened, the short fence to the Crawford Boxes caused Enron Field to be the subject of much national discussion (and ridicule(*cough* Olberman suks *cough*)). Certain pitchers (you know who you are) totally wigged that season. However, all that early hoo-haa has faded. These days, MMP is not even in the top 10 as a run or HR producer. And the Crawford Boxes are a pretty fun place to watch from. Although the club level is best for viewing, IMO.
As to other parks, I think almost all of the new-retro parks were designed by the same firm (HOK of Kansas City) which means they all have several common elements. So claiming one is great but the other stinks is somewhat retarded.
I really like Camden, the first of the bunch. I lived in DC and you could metro to Union Station (best train station in the US), to jump the train to Balmer and be dropped off in front of the park entrance. How cool is that? Everyone can drink (starting with a sixpack on the train!) since no one has to drive. The smell of Boog's BBQ waftng through the outfield air is enough to make vegans salivate (and yes a big sweating Boog was really there cooking in a jumbo apron and yes you could really talk to him while munching a sausage sandwhich). Galvanized buckets of iced Heinies brought to you. Very nice, and I didnt even care about the O's or Cal.
PacBell is cool. Cold actually. Petco is in a fab location. Chavez Ravine is legend in LA (although the crowd legendarily awful). Hate me but I think both NY venues are overrated. Wrigley is still the best. Just walking up the that stadium is fun (and filling). Ive only been to the old ones is St Louis, Seattle and Anaheim, so thats it for my tour. As to the Arlington Park, seems typically Dallas to me. The flat and not so fruited plains burped up a shiney monolith surrounded by a sea of concrete parking lots. But you go with what you got.
ps -- did you know Boog Powell was actually the fourth Alou brother to Felipe, Matty and Jesus? It's true. But he changed his name later because he didnt want to be known as Boog Alou.
