Strefz

Pittsburgh Pirates – September 15-17 PNC Park - Capacity 38,747 2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB) When the Cubs invade Pittsburgh in April, they will be still formulating their rotation and lineup and will be trying to figure out where their season will take them. By mid-September, Chicago better know who they are and be ready to finish strong. These games count more, even though they technically don’t in the standings. You can see our full write-up on PNC Park in Road Trip #4. Win, lose, or draw, its off to Cincinnati for a four-game series against the Reds in the last road series of the season. Cincinnati Reds – September 18-21 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) The Cubs make their second trip of the year to Cincinnati and they are there for four full days that might determine the division crown. When they travel there in May, its on the tail end of a return trip from Miami. This time, the travel is lighter but the stakes are higher. You can see our full write-up on Great American Ballpark in Road Trip #6. There you have it Cubs fans, after 43,155 miles of road trips the Cubs finally return home for the final two series of the season against the Mets and Cardinals. When the season ends on September 28th, where do you think all of these games and trips and memories will leave the Cubs? With more games to play, or left wondering what might have been? Only time will tell, but I hope you get a chance to experience the story somewhere in person in 2025.

Atlanta Braves – April 18-20 Truist Park - Capacity 41,084 2024 Attendance: 3,011,765 (Averaged 37,647 - ranked 4th out of 15 NL teams, 5th overall MLB) When the Cubs traveled to Atlanta in May 2024, they both entered the series with winning records. Atlanta shut out the Cubs in the first two games, before Chicago erupted for seven runs to take the finale. Things started off promising when the Cubs made their first ever road trip to Truist Park in 2017, as they came away with a three-game sweep and went on to win two of three in 2018 as well. Since then, the journey has not been good to the Cubbies. Chicago has only won three times in Atlanta since 2019, and they have lost 13 games. Overall, the record shows Cubs 8, Braves 14, but the vibe of late is much more sour. Baseball arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, but the national audience for the Braves arrived with TBS. Even a kid in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota could watch the Braves, and this made their runs in the 1990's must-see TV. The Atlanta Fulton County Stadium we watched in 1991 made way for Turner Field (aka. Olympic Stadium) in 1997. The Braves' most recent move in 2017 took them to the suburbs, to mixed reviews. On the one hand, the Braves got a chance to build a baseball community center with neighborhood revenue-gathering machines. On the other hand, folks now need cars and cash to get to the games. Truist Park resides in a mixed-use entertainment district called “The Battery.” Designed to curate the entire baseball consumer’s experience, it's arguably the wave of the future (see also: Globe Life Field in Texas). The park is clean and modern in stadium style, with Hank Aaron tributes and historic moment monuments scattered throughout. “The Freeze” race between innings also looks intriguing. Atlanta boasts the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, and the Center for Puppetry Arts. I would steer clear of the puppets, but to each their own. The airport serves as a major hub, so travel to and from Atlanta shouldn't be hard, but travel to and from the ballpark will probably require renting a car or a large amount of Uber money. After this one-stop trip, the Cubs return home for another one-series event to face the AL East’s Tampa Bay Rays. The games are running out, and everything is magnified. How will the Cubs endure this short but vicious road trip?

Los Angeles Angels - August 22-24 Angel Stadium: Capacity 45,517 2024 Attendance: 2,577,597 (Averaged 31,822, sixth in AL, 13th overall) When the Cubs entered Angel Stadium in June 2023, a healthy Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout , and Anthony Rendon were there to welcome them rudely with a three-game sweep. The Cubs have split the overall road trips to Anaheim at five games apiece, but its usually a feast or famine experience with the last two encounters being sweeps in both directions. With only ten games to show for 20 years of baseball, its too early to declare what's "normal" for Cubs fans to expect at Angels Stadium, except sunshine. That you can count on. To say that Angel Stadium exists because Disney exists isn’t an overstatement. The birth of Disneyland in 1955 led to the pursuit of community development in the Anaheim area. In 1966, that pursuit involved building a baseball stadium, then known as Anaheim Stadium. The 1980s brought a change in architecture as the NFL's Rams filled in the outfield seating area to increase capacity. 1998 brought a return to the open-concept outfield, as the Disney corporation placed its imprint upon the setting and installed the “Outfield Extravaganza” rock pile in left-center field. Trout hits baseballs there for a living. Ohtani used to embody a modern version of Babe Ruth there daily as well, until he split across town and won a World Series. Attendance remains high in Anaheim despite the loss of Ohtani and the general losing ways of the club. Angel Stadium seats less than Dodger Stadium, but I wonder what might happen if the Angels could get on a roll again. Beautiful August weather, summer on the beach, and sun for miles highlight this trip. Having a car is the name of the game when traveling to Angel Stadium. There is a bus option from downtown L.A., but that doesn’t scream “relaxing road trip” to me. Also, with Disneyland right around the corner, there is no shortage of affordable hotel options in Anaheim. At only 2.5 miles southeast of Disneyland, one has to go, right? There is an off-day to see the sights on the 25th, but then its off to the Bay Area to face the pesky Giants. San Francisco Giants – August 26-28 Oracle Park: Capacity 41,265 2024 Attendance: 2,647,736 (Averaged 33,096, 7th out of 15 NL parks, and 10th overall MLB) In late-June 2024, the Cubs barely avoided a four-game sweep in San Francisco by pulling out a 10-inning victory on an Ian Happ homer. Most trips to the Bay Area to play the Giants have been the same: beautiful atmosphere and rough Cubs play. The Cubs have gone 36-47 at Oracle Park overall, with series wins in 2023 and 2013 being the only outliers in the last decade and change. Baseball and San Francisco have a long history, but the most recent iteration dates back to 1957, when the New York Giants joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in heading west for new and greener financial grasses. The Dodgers and Giants have kept the rivalry ridiculously strong, and both have seen great success in recent decades. In 1989 the Giants were getting ready to host the Athletics at Candlestick park for Game 3 of the World Series, when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck and tragically shook up the series. Barry Bonds infamously broke records into the bay in the 2000’s, and championships finally arrived in the 2010’s, with three titles in five seasons. Oracle Park opened in 2000, and people have been raving about it ever since. Whether it’s the temperate and pleasant weather, the majestic views of the San Francisco bay and McCovey Cove and its baseball-hunting kayakers, or the food and beverage options that are second to none, Oracle Park is a must see destination. Baseball travelers will find the wharf and its many attractions and seafood restaurants to be a fun excursion, while the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison never disappoint either. From San Francisco the Cubs head to the Rockies to face, well… the Rockies. 1235 miles to Denver we go! Colorado Rockies - August 29-31 Coors Field - Capacity 46,897 2024 Attendance: 2,540,295 (Averaged 31,361, ranked 8th out of 15 NL parks, 15th overall MLB) The Cubs' journey to the Rockies' lair in September 2024 served to pump the breaks on playoff aspirations, with the Cubs dropping the first two of the series before salvaging the finale. They shouldn't have been surprised, since they've gone 46-59 at Coors Field since it started being a stop on the schedule in 1995. The Cubs haven't left Denver with a series win since 2018, when Javier Baez and Jason Heyward were crushing the humidity out of the ball. Say what you will about Rockies baseball, but the fans continue to know how to pack a stadium. It seems like just yesterday, but Coors Field has been fueling baseball physics controversy since 1995. After two seasons at the now-imploded Mile High Stadium, the Rockies moved into their “new” home at over 5,000 feet above sea level. Coors Field led the league again in “runs park factor,” and it wasn’t even close. Baseballs fly there, humidors and big dimensions be darned. Quirks of the stadium include seats in center field called the “Rockpile,” an in-park brewery, a purple row of seats in the 300 level which marks the Mile High point, and a mixed-use development district around the ballpark. The National Ballpark Museum is across the street and exists as a “must-stop” for anyone on a baseball tour de force. The Denver Art Museum, Rocky Mountain parks and trails, and the Denver Zoo all can provide some entertainment between games. Colorado isn’t expected to be a nuisance to many this season, but they have shown consistent resilience at home, and late season games can involve soaring home runs and a Rockies team that has nothing to lose. After this extensive road trip, the Cubs return home to welcome the Braves and Nationals to kick off September. How will the Cubs fare on this trip, knowing what lurks ahead at home?

St. Louis Cardinals - August 8-10 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall MLB) The Cubs don't have any cool trips to St. Louis this season, only steamy ones. Busch Stadium should be rocking for this classic matchup of bitter rivals, but will either team still be in contention by mid-August? The trip down to St. Louis is always worth it, regardless of the situation in the standings. But here's to hoping that these games actually matter when the Cubs invade the arch. You can see a full write-up of Busch Stadium and its surrounding attractions here. Win, lose, or evaporate, it's time to grab the passports for trip to Canada! Toronto Blue Jays - August 12-14 Rogers Centre – Capacity 39,150 2024 attendance: 2,681,236 (Averaged 33,101, ranked 3rd out of 15 AL parks, 9th overall MLB) The Cubs journeyed north of the border to Toronto in August 2023, and they left with two victories and one defeat. The good news is the Cubs' passports should all be prepared and ready from their earlier trip to Tokyo. The bad news: they often receive a rude welcome in Canada. The Cubs have only won six games and lost nine in their interleague travels to Toronto since 2003. When Toronto got their MLB franchise in 1977, they started out in a retro-fitted football field called Exhibition Stadium. It was 1989 that brought the SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre in 2005), soon to gain classic replay status for Joe Carter’s World Series winner and back-to-back championships. In the 2010’s, the Blue Jays even boasted the highest attendance in the American League! The SkyDome/Rogers Centre boasts about being the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable motorized roof, hosts a hotel with rooms that look out onto the field, and rests within the Old Downtown neighborhood of the fourth-largest city in North America. The field itself? A bit cookie-cutter in form, with excellent food and tourist vibes throughout the concourses. The sounds, tastes, and sights of Toronto are pretty epic from what I can tell. The CN Tower observation deck, Lake Ontario beaches and waterfront, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and an actual “distillery district” all exist within a few blocks of the ballpark. If you don't have your passport yet, now's the time to get your paperwork rolling if you want to catch this edition of the team's biannual trip to Toronto. From here, the Cubs travel back home for seven games against NL Central foes from Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. No time to rest, and no off-days either. Will the Cubs have what it takes to stay in the fight during these dog days of summer travel?

Chicago White Sox - July 25-27 Rate Field - Capacity 40,615 2024 Attendance - 1,976,344 (ranked 8th out of 15 AL teams, 19th overall MLB) The cross-town battle in August 2024 saw the Cubs take two from the floundering White Sox on the South Side. Both games were decided by two runs or less, but the results remained positive for the Cubs. Overall the Cubs have played the White Sox to a draw on the South Side. With the Cubs winning 37 and losing 36, 2025's edition of the "shortest road trip in baseball" will determine if the Cubs can gain an advantage in the overall series or if the Sox can wrestle back home field advantage. The artist formerly known as New Comiskey Park, The “Cell,” and Guaranteed Rate has been around since 1991, but South Side Chicago baseball has been cooking since 1910. While the new stadium resides in a residential area, it carries a “big” stadium vibe compared to its North Side counterpart. Sharing an owner allows you to also buy Bulls gear at the ballpark, a plus for Chicago fans. The upper deck leans into the “upper” definition, while the bleachers get hot, especially in July. In the 2000s, a person could shower on the outfield walkway. I’m not sure who thought that was a great idea, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t try it out one blistering August afternoon. Lake Michigan, Soldier Field and the Museum campus, Sears tower, and the Magnificent Mile. The smell of the L-Train platforms wandering in the Lake Shore breeze. Chicago natives might be used to these sights, but they never disappoint. Getting to Rate Field involves most likely car and parking for me, and sneaking to the South Side before rush hour is a “mandatory” event. After hopefully conquering their cross-town rivals, the Cubs return to Milwaukee to do some more in-division damage. Milwaukee Brewers – July 28-30 American Family Field - Capacity 41,900 2024 Attendance: 2,537,202 (Averaged 21,328 - ranked 9th out of 15 NL teams, 16th overall MLB) When the Cubs travel to Milwaukee in early May, they might encounter beautiful days and chilly nights. On this trip, though, the Cubs are most likely to face sweltering and muggy conditions. In this climate, American Family Field turns into a jet stream sauna, and fans will need to hydrate. If you are looking for a two-city road trip that allows you to stay in your own bed at night, this is your chance. Just make sure your air conditioner is working. You can see a full write-up of American Family Field and its surrounding attractions here. What do you think Cubs fans, will this be a feast or famine with regards to the home-cooking?

Minnesota Twins - July 8-10 Target Field - Capacity 38,544 2024 Attendance: 1,951,616 (Averaged 24,094, ranked 10th in AL parks, and 23rd overall) The Cubs last entered Target Field in May of 2023, dropping the series two games to one. After impressively winning the opener, they got destroyed 11-1 and 16-3 by the Twins. Chicago has only taken four trips to Minneapolis since 2012, and thanks to a five-game winning streak from 2015 to 2023, the Cubs hold the advantage with a 6-5 record. Since opening in 2010, Target Field has brought many exciting events to the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood. From concerts to playoff action, from the 2014 All-Star Game to the NHL Winter Classic to local college football games, Target Field offers the frozen citizens of the Twin Cities an outdoor space to enjoy their favorite sports. This stadium features elements of its home state, from the stonework to the new fishing pier-themed seating section called "The Dock." At the ballpark, fans are treated to beautiful scenes of the downtown skyline, a living batter's eye in the center, and plenty of concourse space to feast and mingle on a summer evening. The Timberwolves play just a skyway down the street; entertainment is everywhere in the neighborhood. The Mall of America is just a light rail away, with plenty of activities and an amusement park. Local museums and the Mississippi River offer intrepid travelers plenty of options to spend an afternoon before an evening game. After this three-game series, the Cubs must enter the evil empire's lair to face the New York Yankees. New York Yankees - July 11-13 Yankee Stadium - Capacity 46,537 2024 Attendance: 3,309,838 (Averaged 41,896, ranked 1st out of 15 AL parks, 2nd overall MLB) In July of 2023, the Cubs came to Yankee Stadium, and the results were pretty positive. The Cubs took the opener and the finale for a two-game to one-series victory. The Cubs first traveled to Yankee Stadium in 2014 but didn't return until 2022. In both of those series, the Cubs would have done just as well staying home because they got swept out of town both times. Chicago only scored one run in the first four games combined, before getting laughed out of town 18-4 to end the 2022 series. With a 2-6 record in their short Bronx history, the Cubs definitely have room for improvement. What Yankee Stadium lacks in hospitality to opponents’ chances for success, it makes up for in baseball history and charisma. Monument Park shares the rich tradition of the pinstripes and is the place to be before the first pitch. Being present for the “roll call” tradition of the Yankees' outfield bleacher bums and knowing that millions of humans are within blocks of you offers a lot of excitement. The stadium feels surprisingly bland and non-distinct, but if the Yankees are playing well, it's tough to be an opposing fan. Yankee Stadium resides in the heart of the Bronx, so parking and any “quick” travel to destinations don’t happen. While in town, opposing fans can take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Big Apple. The Statue of Liberty takes most of a day to visit appropriately, and traveling the New Jersey coast to see Ellis Island also offers a fantastic view of downtown NYC. If you find yourself in Manhattan, Broadway, TV show scenery, and Central Park are must-sees. Finding affordable lodging and navigating the traffic are obstacles, but the public transit system is top-notch; the Cubs scatter to enjoy the All-Star break before returning home coach and can get fans anywhere they want. From here the Cubs scatter to enjoy the All-Star break, before returning home July 18 to face Boston and Kansas City. Can the Cubs finish the first half of the season strong? Or will the break be a time to analyze potential trade deals for a rebuild?

St. Louis Cardinals - June 23-26 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall) In 2024, the Cardinals and Cubs ended with the same record, but on the road at Busch Stadium, the home team stayed supreme, with the Cubs dropping four of the six contests. In general, Cubs fans shouldn't get their hopes up when their team travels to division rival St. Louis. In the nearly two decades since the latest iteration of Busch Stadium opened, the Cubs have only managed 66 victories while losing 89 games. If you wanted to look up a definition of "hostile environment," this road trip has proven so, at least where the divisional standings are concerned. Every year since 2017, there has been a defeat except for the 2023 season, which saw two of the road games taking place in London and the Cubs earning four victories and only losing two. St. Louis’s baseball history can be traced back to 1882. Eleven World Series trophies later, the Cardinals remain elite among fan bases and maintain baseball cultural icon status. The current Busch Stadium is the third iteration, providing a scenic view of the downtown skyline and this noble heritage. Built in 2006, it sports a Ballpark Village neighborhood attraction and its own Hall of Fame Museum. Brewery tours, trips up to the top of the Arch, BBQ and BBQ and more BBQ, and time spent feasting on baseball in the heartland. What could be better? The majestic views past the outfield concourse give the stadium its style points. The red seats and Clydesdales provide the ambiance, and the fans provide the support. The Cardinals have benefited from being the only game in town for a region that stretches from Oklahoma to Alabama, Indiana to Colorado. Their radio signal strength established a fan base, and their open wallet and excellent farm system have set them up to be contenders most seasons, so the last two seasons' strife is regarded as an anomaly, and their fan base is hungry for redemption. The Cubs are equally hungry to keep them in their place. Next up, all aboard for Houston and Minute Maid Park! Houston Astros - June 27-29 Minute Maid Park - Capacity 41,168 2024 Attendance: 2,835,234 (Averaged 35,002, ranked 2nd of 15 AL teams and 8th overall) In 2023, the Cubs traveled to Houston in May and came home empty, getting swept in a three-game series while coughing up 20 runs. The Cubs have gone 58-56 in Houston since Enron Field opened in 2000, serving as a neutral site since the Astros were still battling in the National League. The story of Houston baseball runs through the sporting world’s first fully enclosed and air-conditioned stadium, the Astrodome, which changed the game and almost all other games around the world. The Astrodome gave us the first synthetic turf playing surface (hence why we call all the new stuff Astroturf, even if it isn’t!), the ability to play ball in any type of weather or geography, and the introduction of year-round civic and sports arenas within a city. Minute Maid Park carries history, scandal, success, and futility in one beautifully crafted, retro-fitted setting. The current ballpark was constructed around a former Union Station railway concourse and harkens to the culture and community that it serves. Oil, agriculture, trains, Bar-B-Q, Mexican food, boom/bust economics, and espionage/waste disposal (couldn’t resist). The retractable roof might come into play in May, with an opportunity for outdoor baseball early and late in the season. This element allows for a natural grass playing surface. Originally named Enron Field in 2000, my kids’ third favorite orange juice stepped up to the plate for naming rights once Enron imploded. Hopefully, the Minute Maid Train will fail to leave the station due to a lack of Astros homers, but recent history would argue to bet the “over.” Minute Maid Park used to feature the legendary and questionable "Tal’s Hill” in centerfield. The berm & flagpole served for quite a few highlights and lowlights for fielders, stretching the dimensions to 436ft. The hill left the building after the 2016 season, replaced by a restaurant, standing-room seating, and a lower medical liability deductible. The dimensions also came in with it to a reasonable 406ft. Interestingly, berms or mounds in the field of play used to be a way to give a better view to standing room overflow fans ON THE FIELD!!! Can you imagine? Showing up to a game, discovering it was sold out, but being told to “Worry not! Centerfield has some room for you!” It sounds like an alternate reality. Check out the Space Center in Houston and enjoy some beach and fishing time out in the Gulf of Mexico. Or if the weather's too warm and muggy for your liking, just get excited to watch high-quality baseball in a crazy cool stadium alongside a fan base that has doubled down on their team. From Houston, the Cubs travel home to face the Guardians for the first time this season, and there will be a re-match with the Cardinals. There's no time to rest just yet because June is ending with a flourish.

Washington Nationals - June 3-5 Nationals Park - Capacity 41,339 2024 Attendance: 1,967,302 (Averaged 24,287, ranked 13th out of NL parks and 22nd overall) The Cubs swept their way into and out of the nation's capital in late-August of 2024, winning two close games before clubbing 14 runs to victory in the finale. Overall the Cubs are 29-25 on their road trips to Nationals Park, with Washington, D.C. serving as another home away from Wrigley for Chicago. A closer look at the history reveals a streaky nature, with sweeps skewing the stats during the leaner years. The Nationals hold the normal home field advantage in the majority of seasons. In general, D.C. has been a place where the Cubs can make a move up the standings while on the road, and hopefully that theme continues into 2025. In 2004, the Montreal Expos’ story ended, and the Washington Nationals’ story began. After Major League Baseball took over the Expos, they brokered the move for baseball to return to Washington, D.C., after the town birthed and lost the Senators… twice. The Twins and Rangers can thank the city for their franchises, but the Nationals haven’t had much to be thankful for since 2019 saw them rise to the pinnacle and bring home the World Series trophy. The days of Bryce Harper, Steven Strasburg and Juan Soto are long gone. 2025 sees the beginning of the Amed Rosario era! Most towns on the MLB circuit can provide a weekend of sights and sounds, but Washington, D.C. could easily take a week or more of a tourist’s time. May is a beautiful time to visit the city’s national monuments and museums, political landmarks, and coastal sights. After the team languished at RFK Stadium for its first four years, Nationals Park opened in 2008 with much fanfare and little flair. There isn’t a distinguishing component of the stadium, but it serves as a great venue to watch baseball along the Anacostia River. With its walkable open-air outfield concourse and its clean lines, Nationals Park focuses the attention on the actual game. With a drop in play and in attendance in recent seasons, will the Nationals need to re-think this strategy to attract fans? Or will this stadium continue to be a road teams’ haven? The Nationals have had a losing record at home since that 2019 championship run, and opposing fans hope that momentum continues! Regardless of how warmly or rudely the Cubs are welcomed in and out of the capital, they need to rally up as they head west to face the upstart Tigers. Detroit Tigers - June 6-8 Comerica Park - Capacity 41,083 2024 Attendance: 1,858,295 (Averaged 23,824, ranked 11th out of AL parks, 24th overall MLB) Chicago last visited the Tigers at Comerica Park in August 2023, and they came away with a two games-to-one series victory. Since the cross-divisional road trip began in 2001, the Cubs and Tigers have played to a virtual tie at Comerica Park, with the Cubs winning nine games and the Tigers winning ten. Something has to give when the Cubs return to town this June. When Comerica Park opened, it attempted to replace a jewel box ballpark icon in Tiger Stadium. How did they do it? Well, for starters, they built a bunch of giant Tiger statues. Then, they made the dimensions of the outfield astronomical in nature. The walls were so far back that they realized they messed up and brought them back in starting in 2003. Players’ stats continue to take a hit from the dimensions, and the walls were brought in yet again prior to the 2023 season. Located just a few blocks from the Detroit River/Canadian Border, Comerica Park sits in the downtown district, with plenty of entertainment and eatery options. There is thew Motown Museum, the Corner Ballpark (a recreation of Tiger Stadium), the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Henry Ford Museum just down the road. In-stadium attractions for traveling fans include a carousel, Ferris Wheel, and the Tigers Hall of Fame. After wrapping up in Detroit, the team's nine games in nine days on the road concludes with a trip back east to Philadelphia to face the pesky Phillies. Philadelphia Phillies - June 9-11 Citizens Bank Park - Capacity 42,901 2024 Attendance: 3,363,712 (Averaged 41,527, 2nd out of 15 AL parks and 3rd overall) The Cubs' trip to Philadelphia in late-September 2024 proved that they were not up for a playoff run. The same inconsistency that plagued their first five months of the season continued on in a one-game-to-two series loss. In 62 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Cubs have gone 26-36, making this an annual trip for surviving rather than thriving. There has never been a series sweep either direction in those games, but the overall message is that coming out of Philadelphia better off than when you entered is a rare occurrence. I was surprised to discover that the Phillies have lost more games than any other American sports franchise. I only seem to remember the captivating squads of the 90’s and the World Series attending teams of recent history. However, the giant former home of the Phillies, Veterans Stadium, often saw nothing but epic disappointment. At 67,000, Veterans Stadium had the capacity for greatness, and the vibe of concrete sterility. In 2004, the team began a new chapter with the more intimate and contemporary Citizens Bank Park. The seating at Citizens Bank is described as “sitting over the field,” and the unique wind tunnel alleyways and small left- and right-field corners set the stage for plenty of home runs and excitement. Opposing fans can get up close and personal with the visitor’s bullpen in left-center field, or just hang out and listen to the Phillies fans give them grief. Of all of the stadiums that I researched, this one seems to be the least hospitable to away team jerseys and presence in general. Attenders beware! The ballpark also seems to be set up for prime standing room only options, and its main food vendors exist in the open outfield concourse. There’s a kid’s wiffle-ball field in right-field, and a Wall of Fame in left. And, of course, keep your head on a swivel unless you want to get accosted by the Phillie Phanatic. Philadelphia itself oozes history and tourist destinations. The start of American democracy and government, the pursuit of freedom and liberty, and the origins of the great cheesesteak all find their home here. You can pretend you are Rocky as you run the steps of the Museum of Art, or just sit there and watch other people exhaust themselves trying. After this grueling road trip, the Cubs return home for a three-team, ten-game homestand against Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Seattle. Anyone heading to these road games? Have you ever been to these ballparks? Any tips?