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MLB Power Rankings: Top 30 stadiums of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

Aug 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The sun sets over Wrigley Field during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; The sun sets over Wrigley Field during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; General view of fans outside Citi Field before a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; General view of fans outside Citi Field before a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Citi Field

  • Year Opened: 2009
  • Capacity: 41,922
  • Defining Features: Ebbets Field facade, orange foul poles, green seats

Citi Field manages to honor the two previous homes of the Mets — Shea Stadium and the Polo Grounds — while also paying tribute to Ebbets Field. The grand rotunda at the entrance to Citi Field is a dead ringer for the famous marble rotunda at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The Mets brought their orange foul poles over from Shea Stadium, and have green seats just like the Polo Grounds.

With the Mets and Yankees both opening up new stadiums around the same time, there is an interesting opportunity to study the design approaches. The Yankees went with a modern update to their original park, while the Mets went with a completely different approach. Being that both stadiums are located in New York, there is no avoiding the corporate feel, but the Mets did a much better job of creating an intimate ballpark.

Citi Field has several features that can be found in different historical ballparks. The Pepsi Porch in right field overhangs the field of play, and is inspired by Detroit’s Tiger Stadium. The interior of the park is meant to mirror PNC Park in Pittsburgh, and the design of the park has a bridge theme.

The Home Run Apple made its way over from Shea Stadium and is located in the center field batter’s eye. The rotunda at the home plate entrance pays tribute to Jackie Robinson. Overall, the Mets have done a great job to honor the history of baseball in nearby Brooklyn while also keeping plenty of “Mets-themed” features in the design.

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