Predictions for the demise of the older stadiums

[Gordon_Urquhart]

@Asimovian

I am convinced that this is impossible, so I’ll just try to run through the list.

1. Wrigley
2. Dodger Stadium
3. Coors

Believe me, I shared your incredulity. Leveraging the amazing power of Wikipedia, I constructed the following list of NL teams, their current park and year built, and their immediate former parks and years of use:

Atlanta Braves: Turner Field, 1997; Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 1966-1996
Florida Marlins: Dolphin Stadium, nee Pro Player Stadium, nee Pro Player Park, nee Joe Robbie Stadium, 1993 (will move to new stadium in 2011)
New York Mets: Shea Stadium, 1964 (will move to Citi Field in 2009)
**Philadelphia Phillies: ** Citizens Bank Park, 2004; Veterans Stadium, 1971-2003
Washington Nationals: Nationals Park, 2008; RFK Stadium, 2005-2007

Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field, 1916
Cincinnati Reds: Great American Ballpark, 2003; Riverfront Stadium, 1970-2002
Houston Astros: Minute Maid Park, 2000 (nee Astros Field, Enron Field); Astrodome, 1965-1999
Milwaukee Brewers: Miller Park, 2001; County Stadium, 1970-2000
Pittsburgh Pirates: PNC Park, 2001; Three Rivers Stadium, 1970-2000
St. Louis Cardinals: Busch Stadium III, 2006; Busch Stadium II, 1966-2005

Arizona Diamondbacks: Chase Field, 1998 (nee Bank One Ballpark)
Colorado Rockies: Coors Field, 1995
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dodger Stadium, 1962
**San Diego Padres: ** PETCO Park, 2004; Qualcomm Stadium, nee Jack Murphy Stadium, nee San Diego Stadium, 1969-2003
San Francisco Giants: AT&T Park, 2000 (nee SBC Park, nee Pacific Bell Park); Candlestick Park, nee 3Com Park at Candlestick Point, 1960-1999

Wrigley’s an outlier; without the Friendly Confines in the mix, the average NL ballpark was built in (late) 1995; that’s including Dodger Stadium and not taking into account the opening dates for the Mets’ and Marlins’ new stadiums.

[dalej42]

Somehow, I still think things will fall apart with the Marlins stadium plans. That team has so little fan support, I really think they’ll end up relocating.

[Asimovian]

And then I get this email from my beloved team just a couple of minutes ago:

@Email from Dodgers

Dodgers to make announcement tomorrow

Attention Dodger Fans,

Tune in to tomorrow for an announcement regarding the future of
Dodger Stadium.

Remember: watch dodgers.com tomorrow LIVE at 9:30 a.m. PT for
this Dodgers announcement.

I’m sure it has to do with renovations, but given the nature of our conversation here, I can’t help but be slightly nervous.

[cmkeller]

Asimovian:

So here’s a question (and no, I don’t know the answer myself): what stadium, built since 1900, lasted the shortest period of time? And I mean a stadium that was specifically built to house a baseball team.

I imagine that if the Rays get that new stadium they’re talking about, with the sail-like roof, built soon, then the Trop must be a candidate for that distinction. It was completed in 1990, first used for Major League Baseball in 1998, and may be gone by 2011.

The Kingdome was primarily a football stadium, but its design was meant (however badly) to accommodate a baseball team as well. Lifespan: 23 years, 22 of it in MLB service.

The Metrodome is multi-use, but baseball was part of that design from the beginning. It opened in 1982 and will be replaced (at least for baseball use) by 2010, lifespan 28 years.

[cmkeller]

I think the correct answer to your question, Asmovian, has to be Colt Stadium, home of the Houston Colt .45’s from 1962-1964. From everything I can tell, it was not a minor league or other-use stadium before the Colts. It was constructed specifically for the Colts to use until the Astrodome could be completed. Once the Astrodome was completed, Colt Stadium was never again used for baseball and was demolished only a few years later.

My understanding it that the stadium was intentionally temporary, so maybe that doesn’t really suit your question after all.

[Asimovian]

@cmkeller

I think the correct answer to your question, Asmovian, has to be Colt Stadium, home of the Houston Colt .45’s from 1962-1964. From everything I can tell, it was not a minor league or other-use stadium before the Colts. It was constructed specifically for the Colts to use until the Astrodome could be completed. Once the Astrodome was completed, Colt Stadium was never again used for baseball and was demolished only a few years later.

My understanding it that the stadium was intentionally temporary, so maybe that doesn’t really suit your question after all.

Actually, I’m going to say it does. Interesting stuff, thank you.

[Asimovian]

Looks like Dodger Stadium isn’t going to be on the list of stadiums to go by the wayside anytime soon. Really cool press conference this morning. Check this out:

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/ballpark/next50/project.jsp

I’m really excited.

[Justin_Bailey]

@Gordon Urquhart

Believe me, I shared your incredulity. Leveraging the amazing power of Wikipedia, I constructed the following list of NL teams, their current park and year built, and their immediate former parks and years of use:

…

This just completely floors me. I had no idea all of the NL stadiums were so new (or are going to be so new).

Thanks for posting this.

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

Well, old Tiger Stadium is coming down in a few weeks.
Goodbye memories.

[Troy_McClure_SF]

@Asimovian

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/ballpark/next50/project.jsp

Damn. I hate to admit it, but that does look pretty nice.

Hopefully they’ll also replace the fat guys who yell “those Giants fans just said they hate Mexicans!” really loudly in the upper deck.

[Asimovian]

@Troy McClure SF

Damn. I hate to admit it, but that does look pretty nice.

Hopefully they’ll also replace the fat guys who yell “those Giants fans just said they hate Mexicans!” really loudly in the upper deck.

As an aside, I hate the Giants as much as any Dodgers fan, but I can’t stand some of the rude things (your example being one of them) that people do when the Giants are in town. I watched a few Giants’ fans lose their brand new ballcaps on Opening Day in the stands this year.

When I visited AT&T Park last year for a Dodger/Giant game, people were nothing but polite. Oh well – Dodger fans are still better behaved than Raiders fans.

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

@Asimovian

As an aside, I hate the Giants as much as any Dodgers fan, but I can’t stand some of the rude things (your example being one of them) that people do when the Giants are in town. I watched a few Giants’ fans lose their brand new ballcaps on Opening Day in the stands this year.

When I visited AT&T Park last year for a Dodger/Giant game, people were nothing but polite. Oh well – Dodger fans are still better behaved than Raiders fans.

Now that’s a low bar.

[Cardinal]

@Asimovian

As an aside, I hate the Giants as much as any Dodgers fan, but I can’t stand some of the rude things (your example being one of them) that people do when the Giants are in town. I watched a few Giants’ fans lose their brand new ballcaps on Opening Day in the stands this year.

When I visited AT&T Park last year for a Dodger/Giant game, people were nothing but polite. Oh well – Dodger fans are still better behaved than Raiders fans.

As a Cardinals fan, I’ve pretty much sworn off sitting with the proletariat in the outer reaches there. They’re so rude and classless. To get on my high horse, from what I hear, you’d basically never get that in Busch.

I buy another step up in tickets, and sit among the civilized.