Timothy Malcolm - Moon Baseball Road Trips

TIMOTHY MALCOLM

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL THE BALLPARKS, WITH BEER, BITES, AND SIGHTS NEARBY

Baseball was first coined the national pastime by the New York Mercury way back in 1856, 20 years before the founding of the National League. Amazingly, the term continues to be used todayalthough it doesnt hold quite the same water as it once did, with football and basketball also jockeying for attention from sports writers and television viewers.

Whether or not it lives up to its original nickname is a matter of opinion, but baseball remains as exciting as ever. Just watch the otherworldly Fernando Tats Jr. connect with a pitch in the zone, the meteoric Mike Trout run down a curving fly ball, and the dazzling Gerrit Cole dial up an unhittable heater. You can lose yourself in the beauty of these phenomenal feats of athleticism.

Baseball fans will often tell you that with each game you watch, youre bound to see something youve never seen before. Hundreds of pitches are thrown, home runs are launched, outstanding defensive plays are made, and sometimes the ball moves in a way that baffles the batter, the umpire, the fans, and everyone watching at home. With every game we see, baseball offers us another reason to appreciate the uniqueness of human achievement.

Baseball is also a lens we can use to view Americato see its flaws as well as its ideals. The history of the game includes decades of segregation, systemic racism that lives on in everything from the way players are discussed to the stadium deals that take access away from underserved populations. Then there are the nicknames and chants that appropriate and offend Indigenous cultures. Even while we as fans acknowledge these problems and push owners, managers, players, and fellow fans to do better, we can still love baseball for the game itself. Even as we confront these realities, we can see that although baseball is messy and flawed, it can also instill sheer joy.

Hop in the car and chase that joy. It can be found in all of the parks, from jewel-box legends like Fenway and Wrigley to the most modern and corporatized venues like Truist Park and Globe Life Field. See the sports landmarks along the way and learn its story from every angle. Youll also see the country at its rawest; history both frozen in time and unfolding before your eyes. Sit in a ballpark with the sunshine beaming down and a cold beer in your hand. Youll lose yourself in something incredible, something beautiful, something youve never seen before and may never see quite the same way again.

To appreciate baseball is to indulge in America. Enjoy the game.

SOAK IT ALL IN AT

BOSTON Fenway is the most fascinating venue in baseball, with the Green Monster, the sharp angles of the outfield, Peskys Pole in right field, and a block party on Jersey Street every game day.

EAT, DRINK, AND CELEBRATE

CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF BASEBALL AT LOS ANGELES The stadiums architecture plays with angles and waves, both contrasting with and mimicking the rolling hills beyond the outfield. The bleachers are clean and cool, the blue fence pops just enough, and those uniforms are crisp as all get out. This ballpark is where baseball looks its best.

REVEL IN THE RETRO-CLASSIC FEEL OF IN BALTIMORE This stadium was the first to be designed in the retro-classic style, drawing inspiration from early-20th-century ballparks but with a sleek, modern twist.

GAWK AT THE VIEW AT IN PITTSBURGH Walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to arrive at the stadium, then scope the view from home plate, and youll get it right away: This is the best setting for a baseball game.

BASK IN THE Youre sure to have good weather, ideal for taking in a game, eating delicious local bites, and drinking a good craft beer or two.

WITNESS THE FUTURE OF BASEBALL AT SEATTLE With a food program curated by a James Beard award winner, a beer selection thats brimming with unique brews, and multiple kid-friendly areas, this stadium offers one of the best modern game-day experiences.

JOIN IN THE FUN AT PHILADELPHIA This deceptively small retro-classic venue has a whole lot going in its favor. The food and drink options highlight a wealth of local street foods, the outfield midway of Ashburn Alley is a great spot for pre-game fun, and the sightlines are among the best in baseball.

ENJOY A IN MINNEAPOLIS This ballpark lets you sample everything that baseball has to offer, all in one placea field with kooky angles, fun nods to franchise history, open-air spaces for socializing, stellar food and drink, plentiful parking, and easy access via public transit.

NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM