Down By The Bay, Where Great Ballparks Grow
I rank this park 2 out of 30
Amenities: The food is some of the most unique fare in baseball.
Fresh fruit and garlic fries are available in many locations. The seats are average, but some have internet connections. The
scoreboard was only average, which is really the only major negative of this park. There are plenty of food stands, although
the concourse is somewhat dark and dirty. I felt a little cramped, and there are a lot of bleachers, but after all, the land
on which this park is build is smaller than the footprint of Coors Field.
History: It opened in 2000, and the Giants made the playoffs that year. They
made the World Series in 2002. San Francisco won 2 of 3 at Pac Bel. The biggest piece of history here, though, has obviously
been Barry Bonds. What a perfect park for a hitter like that. The bay is the perfect setting for a left handed power hitter.
Bonds home runs numbers 71 and 700 were the most memorable nights at this park.
Location: Best in baseball? Maybe. I prefer this setting to Pittsburgh's.
The bay and the bay bridge are beautiful. Plus, the park is only a short walk from the center of downtown. The park is still
a little subject to heavy winds, but it's really not that bad.
Atmosphere: It has remained a consistent big draw for fans. Plus, with so
many bleachers, this park can look sold out even when it's not. The fans are loud, decked in Bonds gear, and ticket prices
can get expensive. Mine was $100, for a game against the Brewers! The female public address announcer is also a unique touch.
Aesthetics: The outside is done in a unique brick style different from that
of Camden Yards or Coors Field, and it looks really nice. There are palm trees on the concouse behind home, and
the bay even made Candlestick look nice. The seats are usually filled, so their green color isn't a problem. The Giants
did a nice job tucking the luxury boxes under the third deck, so they don't show very much. It is a typical three deck park,
but with the brick and bay, it doesn't look bad in any way.
