Baseball stadiums aren't just places where games are played – they're woven into the very fabric of American culture. A trip to the ballpark is a nostalgic experience unlike any other. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the smell of hot dogs...these sensations trigger memories that can feel almost magical.

Iconic MLB stadiums each have a unique personality that adds to their charm. Let's explore a few of the best and what makes them so special.

Fenway Park: A Timeless Classic

Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Built in 1912, Fenway is known for its quirks:

• The Green Monster: The iconic left-field wall, standing 37 feet tall, is a formidable challenge for hitters (and a beloved target for visiting teams).
• Pesky's Pole: The foul pole in right field is notoriously close, meaning a lucky break can result in a home run that might not clear the fence elsewhere.
• The Lone Red Seat: One random seat in the right-field stands is painted red, marking where the longest home run in Fenway's history landed.

Despite its small size, Fenway creates an electric atmosphere that embodies the passionate spirit of the Red Sox Nation.

Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in the National League, renowned for its:

• Ivy-Covered Walls: The outfield walls at Wrigley are covered with lush, green ivy. A home run ball that gets stuck becomes a treasured souvenir.
• Rooftop Seating: Buildings across the street from Wrigley have rooftop sections offering fantastic views of the game (and the opportunity to snag the occasional long ball).
• Day Games: A long-held tradition at Wrigley means the Chicago Cubs predominantly play under the sunshine.

Wrigley is a place where tradition runs as deep as the ivy and its cozy atmosphere invites fans to be part of the family.

Dodger Stadium: California Cool

Perched atop a hill overlooking downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been home to the Dodgers since 1962. Fans love it for:

• The Palm Trees: Their silhouettes against the California sunset create a truly picturesque setting for a ballgame.
• The Wave: Dodger Stadium is known for the energy of the crowd, and no tradition exemplifies that better than the wave that sweeps through the stands during games.

Dodger Stadium is a California icon, offering both exciting baseball and a laid-back, relaxed summer vibe.

Oracle Park: Where Power Meets the Bay

The San Francisco Giants have called Oracle Park home since 2000. It's renowned for these features:

• McCovey Cove: The section of the San Francisco Bay beyond the right-field wall gets busy as fans in boats try to catch home runs on the fly (known as "splash hits").
• Sweeping Views: The bayside location gives fans incredible views of the cityscape and the Bay Bridge.

Oracle is a modern stadium packed with character. It's a place where home runs soar, and Giants legends are celebrated.

Yankee Stadium: The House that Ruth Built

Although technically not the original Yankee Stadium, the current incarnation (built in 2009) evokes the grandeur and history of the team. Yankee Stadium is famous for:

• Monument Park: Located in the center field, this outdoor museum honors Yankee legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
• Short Porch in Right: The close right-field fence makes Yankee Stadium a home run hitter's paradise if they can pull the ball.
• Bleacher Creatures: The dedicated (and often rowdy) fans in the right-field bleachers are famous for their creative chants and rituals.

If Fenway is a cozy time capsule, then Yankee Stadium is a baseball cathedral – a testament to the game's most storied franchise. Feeling the energy of the crowd while exploring Angels baseball lines is a must.

Conclusion

Ballparks aren't just about baseball; they're gathering spots where memories are made. Each iconic stadium brings its unique blend of history, personality, and atmosphere, creating an experience that extends far beyond the scoreboard. No true baseball fan would miss the chance to experience one of these incredible ballparks in person.

Wrestelamania season also means WWE Hall of Fame Season, and we now know the name of the first person for the 2024 Class.  Fittingly, as it is in Philadelphia, it is the “Wise Man,” Paul Heyman.

Heyman began his wrestling career as a photographer, and transitioned into a manager, first gaining national attention in the AWA, and then WCW, where his apex was the heel faction, The Dangerous Alliance.  After he was fired from WCW, he would join ECW, which he would later own.  Heyman transformed the company into Extreme Championship Wrestling, a hardcore promotion that was massively influential and changed the face of the industry.  As impactful as it was, ECW was not profitable, and went under in 2001, and Heyman joined the WWE.

He began as an announcer and later an advocate for various wrestlers, most notably Brock Lesnar.  Heyman would become the onscreen General Manager of Smackdown and later the revamped ECW.  During this time, Heyman was helping with the booking and writing and was influential behind the scenes, where he used his vast knowledge to make the product edgier.  Sadly, Heyman was again let go, when ECW underperformed, and it would be years before he was saw again.

Heyman returned to the WWE in 2012, but this time, it was just as an on-screen talent.  Back again with Lesnar, Heyman would also align with CM Punk, uniting the two greatest talkers in the business.  He would since join Roman Reigns in forming the Bloodline in 2020, a faction that still is in existence today.

Heyman was ranked #9 on our Notinhalloffame list of those to consider for the WWE Hall of Fame. Notably, we will work to revise that list following Wrestlemania, and Heyman will be one of the names removed.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Paul Heyman for his impending honor.

Jason Kelce, after 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Eagles, has announced his retirement, marking the end of an era in Philadelphia.

Kelce was a walk-on at the University of Cincinnati and was drafted by the Eagles in the Sixth Round in 2011. He won the starting job as a rookie, but a torn ACL held him to only two games in 2012.  However, he came back stronger and paved the way for LeSean McCoy’s league-leading 1,607 yards.

Kelce continued to improve his skill set and went to his first Pro Bowl in 2014. From 2016 until 2023, he was perennially named to a post-season honor, including six Pro Bowls (giving him seven in total) and six First Team All-Pros.  He also set a franchise record of starting 156 consecutive games.

Kelce’s public profile has risen in recent seasons, partially due to his play and a lot from his relationship with his younger brother, Travis Kelce, who is the Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs and boyfriend of megastar Taylor Swift.  Kelce is the only Center in the last 50 years chosen for six First Team All-Pros with a Super Bowl Ring.  

He is Hall of Fame eligible in 2029, and he has an excellent chance to be the next Center inducted into the PFHOF. Notably, in our Pre-2023 Active Hall of Fame Ranking, Kelce was at #12.

Here at Notinhalloffame.com, we would like to wish Jason Kelce the best in his post-playing career.  

Paul Goldschmidt was a six-time All-Star, won four Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was also a two-time runner-up for the National League MVP award. However, when his contract was up, Arizona's management knew he was unlikely to re-sign with the team. Therefore, after the 2018 season, they traded Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he signed a long-term contract.

In his first season with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt hit 34 home runs with an OPS of .821. Despite the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he managed to maintain a high level of performance with an OPS of .833. Goldschmidt continued his impressive run in 2021, finishing sixth in the MVP voting with 31 home runs, 99 RBI, and an OPS of .879. However, the Cardinals were hoping for an even better performance from him.

In 2022, Goldschmidt finally won the MVP award he had been chasing for so long. He hit 35 home runs, with 115 RBIs, and boasted a Slash Line of .317/.404/.578. Goldschmidt led the league in Slugging, OPS (.981), and OPS+ (177). He also won the Silver Slugger and added another All-Star selection to his first All-MLB 1 Selection.

However, in 2023, Goldschmidt had a pedestrian season with 25 HR and an .810 OPS. For the first time since 2014, he did not receive an MVP vote, and he declined further in 2024, with only 22 Home Runs and a sub-2 bWAR.   Goldschmidt left afterward for the New York Yankees as a Free Agent, but his time in St. Louis was fruitful with that MVP, 153 Home Runs and 874 Hits.