Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Baseball Road-Trip: A Fan's Guide to Major League Stadiums

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As an avid reader of baseball books, I am often skeptical of new baseball publications. Baseball books can be tediously academic (it is a game after all, Mr. Will) or, in the case of guide books, short on substance. Other works just seem to repeat the stories and cliches I hear every year during rain delays. When I saw "The Ultimate Baseball Road-Trip," I thought it might be another coffee-table book. But it has been a fun, informative read. The book appeals to the historian in me, especially in its efforts to tell about the Negro League and minor league entries in each respective MLB city and in its attempts to document old stadiums. Yet, O'Connell and Pahigian write in a style that is witty and engaging, and wise to the role of trivia in the seamhead's life . I have found myself continually sneaking a quick read at my desk or on the train. (The book is addictive and perfect for summer reading.) Finally, I can recommend this book as a travel guide nearly on par with the "Let's Go" or "Rough Guide" series. I used it on a trip to the Midwest and found it especially useful in less celebrated cities like Milwaukee and St. Louis. It is rare that a book of this type can succeed on so many levels.

This book covers it all. From team and ballpark history to where to sit and what to eat. The authors do a great job in detailing the ins-and-outs of every ballpark. This is not your dry, boring reference book. It's an easy read with a lot of humor that any baseball fan will enjoy.

Having just return from a baseball road trip myself, visiting the new San Diego Petco Stadium, Oakland, Anahiem and BOB in Phoenix, I discovered that this book got a lot of merit in what it have to say. In almost all cases, I discovered that the authors have done their homework and their accessments of what is a good seat or bad turned out to be true. Although their reviews on food remains subjective, I discovered that what they say about it also got a lot of truth behind it. Oakland do have one of the best hot dogs and many dogs wrapped in up in these tin foils really do not tasted all that good. (Is that why we often overdose these hot dogs with massive amount flavoring?)

I have been to many other stadiums of the Major League and after reading the book, I discovered that what the authors' have to say would be a great guide to anyone else who may be looking to do such a vacation. Although the season is dying out this year, there is always next year and years on end.

When I go on such road trips, I usually do buy my tickets ahead of time and usually try to get the best seats money can buy. The authors' book seem to be written for people who do this on the fly or on the budget. There is nothing wrong with that but they should know that not everyone do it like they do.

The book come highly recommended by someone like me who likes to take a baseball road trips and have done so in the past. Its useful in planning such a trip, buying the tickets and eating out at these stadium. Great book which have been long over due.

The back cover of this book says that it's a "comprehensive guide to all the diverse and fascinating major league baseball ballparks throughout the country." And it is. But more than that, it's an tribute to the entire baseball experience from a tailgate barbecue, to commentaries on players salaries, to what area of the ballpark to sit, along with a very amusing skill with words.

Clearly a labor of love, these two guys seem to have found a way to make a living (well maybe earn at least a little) out of an obsession. The resulting book, all 530 pages is clearly the work of people loving everything about the game, and it shows.

The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip - that's for sure!

Well, I must say this is a book definitely worth reading. The authors lived a dream that many baseball fans could only imagine. Their humorous writing coupled with obvious enthusiasm for baseball and its parks is infectious. I found the book very useful/informative and it would be a necessary companion for future trips to major league cities. Nine parks have already been crossed off my list so I have my work cut out but after reading this book I have the motivation to make it to some of the other stadiums and cities around major league baseball. I'd say the authors went 3-4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI's and a game winning hit!

Other than my volume of Total Baseball, this one moves to the spot of honor on my bookshelf and will accompany me in my suitcase when I travel for business. Funny and full of info. I'm really enjoying it. (I usually wait to finish a volume before reviewing, but this one is going to take a while. I've been reading a chapter each night before bed. It's a thick book.) The photos aren't bad either. I particularly like the one of Crazy Tuba Guy in Seattle and Heckling Harry in San Diego.

I picked up a copy of this book a week ago and haven't been able to put it down. Now I'm REALLY itching for the season to start. The authors weave a hilarious narrative in with plenty of off-beat and quirky information about the major league teams and their ballparks, past and present. I'll never visit a new park again without re-reading its corresponding chapter in my copy of The Ultimate Baseball Road-trip--to make sure I don't miss anything during my visit (like the scare-crow owls that scare the pigeons out of the rafters at Wrigley, or the morse-code message on Fenway's green monster, or the yellow seat in the Tropicana Field bleachers that Wade Boggs hit with his 3,000th hit, a home run. The only thing I don't understand is how the authors visited the new parks in San Diego and Philadelphia, since they don't open for another week--I guess that's what they call creative expression...anyway, it's helpful to have the inside scoop on those parks...even if they still haven't officially joined the major league landscape. happy reading.

I love how they put comedy in with the facts of the stadiums. They do a good job of reviewing area restaraunts and stadium foods. How much could you guys watch the game when you were testing out all the foods in the stadium! The MLB should have given them the rights to put the Seating Charts in the book. You Need to buy This Book!

As a lifelong fan, I plan on catching as many games in new stadiums (new to me, at least) as possible over the next couple years.

I found this guide much more than a typical tourbook, or a baseball history ledger, or a comic tale of interesting travel adventures... it is all 3 in one, and the sum is definitely great than the individual parts.
Not only did I find the information helpful for the common-fan and fanatic alike, but also it is very funny stuff. I can tell the authors are true fans that also happen to be good writers, as their enthusiasm really got me going and ready to start my trips. Much more enjoyable then some other offerings out there by authors who just decide to write book on baseball for the paycheck... in Ultimate Baseball Road-trip, it is easy to see the authors really loved their experience, and it will help you to love your reading experience.
They provide a lot of historical context for each park and city, much more than I anticipated. These insights are balanced nicely with helpful local insights and stories, like how to order a cheesteak in one of Philly's best steak joints without offending the short-order cooks.
This book is thoroughly enjoyable and helpful, so I give this book a 5 star.

I got this book for Christmas and it helped me through the long cold offseason! Josh and Kevin painstakingly researched all the stadiums including great seating suggestions, history of team and stadium, trivia and just great in-depth information.

The book is as much about the area around the park in the city and a great love of baseball and humorous anecdotes.

Very enjoyable for those that love baseball and ballparks. I am excited to get to some new parks and compare my opinions this season!