The Sports Section- The 7 Wonders of the Sports World
Everyone has heard of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Well, forget the Ancient World, I live in the Sports World. Here is a list I’ve put together of the 7 greatest sports stadiums in America. Look for these places, and many more, to be featured in my upcoming “Sports Bucket List” article.
7. Madison Square Garden- MSG is a famous arena for both hockey (the New York Rangers) and basketball (the New York Knicks and New York Liberty). Also, Madison Square Garden is known for the other great performances that have called MSG home: The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen. I know, I know, this is a list about sporting venues, but you can’t deny the fact that MSG is also the greatest concert venue in the United States. MSG has moved around over the years but it has been at its present location for the last 40 years.
Madison Square Garden has been home to six Championship teams: two Knicks championships and four Rangers Stanley Cups. Nowadays, MSG may be in need of some renovation (and lower prices!) but it would be tough to argue against their tagline, that MSG is “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
6. Notre Dame Stadium- South Bend, Indiana is the home to Notre Dame and their legendary stadium. When a sports fan thinks about Notre Dame Stadium, two things probably jump out: Touchdown Jesus and “Play like a champion today.” Touchdown Jesus is a large mural located on top of the school’s adjacent library. Jesus has his hands raised in the air as if signaling “touchdown.”
Chances are this was totally unintentional, however, it makes for great stories and great fun. The “Play like a champion today” banner hangs in the hallway from the Notre Dame locker room leading to the field.
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Every play touches it as they walk out onto the field. Beyond the historic nature of the Notre Dame program, Notre Dame Stadium has also created two iconic images that will help it endure forever.
5. Wrigley Field- I’ve never been to Wrigley, however it’s one of those stadiums that everybody knows about. The ivy on the outfield wall, the classic red and white sign at the front of the stadium and the comical collapses of the Cubs teams make Wrigley a legend.
The Cubs may be best known for their “curse” that has kept them from winning any World Series in Wrigley; so, there haven’t been too many *big* games played at Wrigley. Still, though, just as Notre Dame Stadium has become known for its aesthetics, Wrigley has become world famous.
4. Lambeau Field- Definitely the NFL’s most reknowned stadium, Lambeau Field has been around since 1957 (renovated in 2003). Known affectionately as the Frozen Tundra, Lambeau has been home to many games affected by snow-covered fields and cold, biting winds.
Not to mention that Lambeau was the home field for some legends such as Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi and Brett Favre and Lambeau would no doubt be ingrained in NFL history. Probably my favorite part about Lambeau and the cheeseheads is that the team is owned by the community, and because of that the Field has a much more communal, close knit feel to it that you wouldn’t get at other stadiums.
3. Michigan Stadium (aka The Big House)- I’ll admit, my #3 pick is a little bit influenced by my love of the Michigan Wolverines. I don’t think many people could argue with my inclusion of The Big House in my list. The Wolverines’ stadium is the second largest open-air stadium in America (it was the first, but due to handicap accessible changes, the capacity was reduced by just over 1,000 seats) and fourth largest in the world. After team personnel, band members and the media are accounted for, there are about 111,000 people in attendance for games, which rivals Ann Arbor’s population of 114,000 people!
Michigan is the winningest Division 1-A team, has 11 national titles and 76 total All-Americans. The record capacity of Michigan Stadium, coupled with Michigan’s all-time success make The Big House the greatest college football stadium in the country.
2. Fenway Park- Fenway Park opened its doors for the Boston Red Sox first home game of the 1912 season. Few stadiums have seen as much history as Fenway. From the beginning of Babe Ruth’s career to the legendary seasons of Ted Williams (hit .406 in 1941) to the curse-ending World Series’ of 2004 and 2007. Aside from the on-field accomplishments of Fenway, you can’t say Fenway without thinking about the “green monster.”
The Green Monster is the humongous left field wall that has haunted right handed pull hitters for almost a century. If it weren’t for the illustrious stadium of their archrival, the Red Sox’s Fenway Park would be the greatest in America.
1. (The Old) Yankee Stadium- My idea for this article came after the last saddening game at the original Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium has been home to the most championships and star players than any other stadium in history. “The House that Ruth Built” opened for play in 1923, and since then has seen the Yankees win 26 World Series along with 39 AL pennants. Throughout the years and the successes, certain aspects of the stadium have been questioned. Issues such as parking (notoriously a problem anywhere in New York City), poor sight lines in some sections and deteriorating facilities (since the 1973 renovation) tried to pock the reputation of Yankee Stadium, but those problems will be long forgotten in the future.
With stars like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Joe DiMaggio and Derek Jeter gracing the halls of Yankee Stadium, it is tough to zero in on any one moment or one season that captures the essence of the Stadium. It is safe to say, though, that even after it is demolished, the old Yankee Stadium will live on as a legend.
Have a sports stadium that you think should be included on my list? Let me hear it in our Articles and Interviews Forum.
Image Credits:
MSG- http://cdn.nhl.com/rangers/bc/images/tickets/images/msg_night_lg.jpg
TD Jesus- www.trojanwire.com/images/touchdown_jesus.jpg
P.L.A.C.T.- www.cenedella.com/stone/archives/victory.gif
Wrigley- http://www.jaxcubsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/marqee-welcome-to-wrigley-field.jpg
Lambeau- http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00ZD0Ng2g38Jf/610x.jpg
Big House- http://images.chron.com/blogs/longhorns/bighouse.jpg
Fenway- http://www.boston-sports-travel.com/images/fenway-park-green-monster.jpg
Yankee Stadium- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Yankee_stadium_exterior.jpg
All stats and information about the stadiums and teams were taken from the respective entries at en.wikipedia.org.
