SI respondents say #2:
I think this is an interesting survey because it asks fans to rate their own park, not to give poor feedback to rivals' stadiums to hold their ranking down. Within the context of their own personal experiences at their home stadium, fans are likely to be pretty honest I think. What I find really interesting is that the #1 ranked stadium, Progressive Field in Cleveland, had to be abandoned during the 2007 season as the Indians sought refuge from the elements by playing at Miller Park. I often make this point: When rating the top stadiums, you should start the discussion with those which possess retractable roofs. No matter how nice a stadium is, the fan experience stinks when it is really cold, hot, or wet. Not only does the Miller Park roof save games and provide a comfortable environment for ALL contests, it also saves the traveling fans untold sums of money they collectively lose when out-of-towners make Milwaukee a baseball destination only to have a weather front move through. Now, if we could only get somebody to pony up for a retractable roof over the tailgating fans in the parking lot!
In my own personal rankings of stadiums, Miller Park is number one. I find it to be the best of the retractable domed venues. As this survey states emphatically, the fans agree with me. I also found it funny that Cardinals' fans overrate their new stadium and underrate their team.
The fans in SE Wisconsin stepped up and built Miller Park and now they deserve a team worthy of their foresight and commitment. I hope this 2008 Brewers' team will give them one.