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Baseball fans: Take a quick tour of all 30 major league ballparks

Authors Josh Pahigian and Kevin O’Connell explore America's major league ballparks in "The Ultimate Baseball Road."

7. St. Louis Cardinals/Busch Stadium III

Jeff Roberson/AP

  • By Ross Atkin Staff Writer

Opened: 2006

Capacity: 46,700

What the authors say: ”Throughout the park the designers went to great lengths to inspire the majesty and tradition of the Cardinals’ organization. And they succeeded on nearly every level.”

Learned from the book:

• Busch Stadium III sits so close to the Gateway Arch that baseball fans should really try to take in the city’s major landmark.

• The authors say that Ted Drews Frozen Custard, which is sold in the stadium, is nearly as famous as the Arch and is not to be missed.

• Before entering the ballpark, consider picking up a copy of the Red Bird Review for $1 rather than spending nearly five times as much for an official program inside the turnstiles.  

• While the authors find much to love about the stadium, they do express disappointment about three things: the lack of open viewing of the field from the concourses (a fairly standard feature in many parks these days); a statue of Stan Musial that is a poor likeness of the greatest player in team history; and generally disappointing ballpark food.

• Fans can actually custom-make their own bats using lathes under the supervision of Rawlings sporting goods employees.

• You will find some of the most knowledgeable, loyal, and civil fans in all of baseball at Busch Stadium – ones who stay until the last out.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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