Cleveland Indians: Progressive Field named best MLB ballpark for 2019

Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians was named the best ballpark in Major League. Here’s why they got it right.

Couldn’t tell you anything about “Stadium Journey,” but this entity named Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians since 1994, as the best ballpark in Major League Baseball for the 2029 season.

Stadium Journey is actually an industry leader in stadium reviews and gave old Jacobs Field a maximum 5-out-of-5 grade in Food & Beverage, Atmosphere, Neighborhood, Fans, Return on Investment and Extras.

Twenty-six of MLB’s 30 ballparks were separated by less than one point, so the competition was tight.

The home of the Indians edged out the Giants stadium, Oracle Park to take first place.

The only area where Progressive Field didn’t get a perfect score was in the area of “Access.”

Let’s dive into it:

Food & Beverage: It truly is Heaven for folks looking to try the local flare. Craft Brews can be found everywhere, as can local eateries. Whether it’s Barrio or Happy Dog, just to name a few, it’s impossible to go hungry when at a game.

Atmosphere: It was surprising to see a perfect score here. When I think atmosphere, I think sitting in the stands, and well, in Cleveland, the stadium is usually half empty. Cleveland finished 2019 ranked 21st in attendance, with about 22,000 fans attending per game.

Neighborhood: Attending a baseball game isn’t the only thing you have to do if the Indians are on your schedule for the night. There’s no dearth of restaurants and bars nearby. I recommend Heinens at the corner of E. 9 and Euclid.

Situated in the Cleveland Trust Rotunda building, you can go to the grocery to order food (you can eat there or take it into the stadium), or head upstairs to the tasting room to grab a beer. I did this before Game 7 of the World Series a few years back. The bars were packed. Heinens wasn’t. Great place to chill.

Additionally, you’ve got the Casino, the Rock Hall and the Science Center all within a reasonable distance.

Fans: Listen, the folks that go to Indians game love the Tribe and are as passionate a fan as you’re going to find anywhere, not just in baseball, but in sports. That said, Cleveland has a rep as a football town for a reason. I just went over the attendance numbers, it is what it is. I’d like to know who Stadium Journey came up with the score here.

Access: It’s true that when you go to the stadium you are probably walking a long distance, especially if you’d like to save some Cash.

I recommend parking near the West Side Market and taking Lolly the Trolly. The ride is free and is provided by the Indians. Plus, it just adds to the whole “Cleveland” experience of the day.

Return on Investment and experience: Whether I’m flying solo or taking the kids, attending a game at Progressive Field truly feels like an experience.

I’ve sat second row for the All-Star game with my son and also went way up to the right field to the right field standing room area when the Angels were in town and crushed a few beers with my buddy. Both were memorable and will never be forgotten.

Of course there’s bias here, but Stadium Journey got it right. Congrats to the Indians for continue to make Progressive Field THE best ballpark to visit.