BALLPARKS
BALLPARKS
I had seen a lot of great parks in 2003, and so I’d thought I’d start 2004 off with a bang. Originally dubbed Pac Bell Park, now called SBC Park, is the new home of the San Francisco Giants starting in 2000, and it blows their old home park away. Although Candlestick certainly has a cooler name, and was situated on the bay like SBC, this is an entirely different experience.
I never made it to Candlestick to see a Giants game. But all I can ever think about is when the earthquake hit during the World Series in October of 1989, and everyone freaked out. So let’s just say it wasn’t at the top of my list.
You approach the park from the city (unless you have a canoe... more about that later!). And it doesn’t feel like you’re anywhere near a baseball stadium... Until it pops up on you.
Looking across the Bay, and probably thumbing it’s nose at the Oakland A’s ballpark atrocity, the park doesn’t look at the Golden Gate Bridge. But it does have a great view of the water which you can see especially well from the upper decks. And there is a marina a bit past the left-center field wall. I spent quite a bit of my time wandering around the right field outfield looking at the view.
The shape of the park is a bit strange. Although unlike some retro parks, the shape is defined by the neighborhood and city grid in which it lies. The waterway to the right defines the right field wall. And although the stadium does seem a bit jammed to fit between the water and King Street on the west side, the choice to keep the outfield seats not too high does allow for some breathing room.
As you may have heard, the weather in San Francisco can be a bit cool and often foggy. They always say, even if it’s sunny, you need to bring a light jacket. That actually was the case. Nothing that a bowl of clam chowder down at Fisherman’s Wharf won’t cure!
And there was Barry Bonds. While I’m certainly not a fan, he is fun to watch. And knowing that the Angels beat him in the World Series in 2002 allows me to enjoy. That guy must be doing steroids, right?
Overall, the park is quite amazing, and should be on anyone’s list of must-see ballparks. This is a West coast park that has a big city industrial area feel. Which makes me feel like it’s baseball season!
Update: The park has since changed names since I visited. Originally Pacific Bell Park from 2000-2003, then SBC Park (2004–2005), then AT&T Park (2006–2019), and Oracle Park starting after 2019.
San Francisco Giants - SBC Park
Wednesday, August 4, 2004