Municipal Stadium /
San Jose Giants
Year Opened |
1941 |
Capacity |
4.200 |
Dimensions |
341L, 383LC, 391C, 395RC, 340R |
Playing Surface |
Baby Bermuda Grass |
Last Visit |
2008 |
Web Site |
sjgiants.com |
Phone |
408/297-1435 |
Ticket Prices (2008) |
Box Seats, $14; Reserved, $9; kids/seniors, $6 |
League |
California League |
Level |
High Class A |
Parent |
San Francisco Giants |
Address |
588
E. Alma Av., San Jose. |
Directions |
Municipal Stadium is south
of downtown San Jose, near San Jose State University.
Take 101 S from downtown San Jose, and just south of
I-280/680 take the Story exit going west. Go about 5 or
6 lights and take a left on Senter; the park will be on
your immediate right. Turn right onto Alma Avenue and
then left into the parking lot. |
Parking |
$7, right behind the
outfield fence. Yes, they have a large screen to protect
your car, which is good, because this reviewer’s car was
in left, directly behind where the first homer left the
yard. There is some free parking on Alma Avenue if you
get there early. |
Written by: |
John Moist |
Rating |
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Built as a WPA project
in 1942, this is a beautiful old park in a
suburban setting. There are palm trees behind the
outfield fence, and redwoods and other large trees
all along the first-base side. The grandstand is
reinforced concrete with art deco trim and extends
from first to third, with stand-alone grandstands
along the left-field and right-field lines.
Bullpens are behind the outfield fence in left and
right. The new electronic scoreboard is in right
center.
History
Several different San Jose teams (California
League unless noted) have played at Municipal
Stadium over the years: Owls (42), Red Sox
(47-55), JoSox (56-57), Pirates (58), Bees
(62-76), Missions (PCL -- the relocated Sacramento
Solons, 77-78), Missions (PCL; 79-81), Expos (82),
Bees (83-87), Giants (88-present). San Jose teams
have won several league championships over the
years, including 2007. The team set their record
for attendance that year with over 182,000 fans.
Players who have called Municipal Stadium home
have included George Brett, Joe Nathan, Shawn
Estes and the late Rod Beck. The San Jose State
Spartans have also played their games at the park
since 1970.
In November 2007, the
City of San Jose approved a lease extension
through 2013. The agreement will allow the Giants
to sell naming rights, which will generate funds
to allow some much needed improvements to the
park, at no cost to the city.
Concessions
Turkey Mike’s (hot dogs, grilled chicken), BBQ
Bullpen, a Mexican food stand, sodas, snow cones
and ice cream, and more. The beer selection is
quite varied: in addition to the usual suspects
you'll find Sierra Nevada (Pale Ale and Summer
Ale); Gordon Biersch (a Bay Area brewer, whose
stand includes trademark garlic fries, as sold at
AT&T Park). Also, I did not see a tapper for
Lagunitas IPA, a Northern California favorite, but
they have installed signs with their logo in the
men’s room reminding you that “No matter how fine
the ale, you are only renting it!” A more unique
ad slogan would be hard to find.
Souvenirs
The Clubhouse team store is behind the left
field grandstand. It has all the usual cool stuff,
but there is a heavy concentration of goodies for
younger fans. Also, San Jose has “classic”
uniforms and hats (see photos), and many fans were
wearing the gear.
Special Features
San Jose has a long and honorable history in
California baseball, and Municipal Stadium may
have more signage and information on local
baseball history than any other Cal League park.
It seems that half the wall space in the concourse
and on the back of the left-field grandstand is
devoted to informing fans of all ages of the
park’s long history, as well as identifying
current Cal League teams, and the other teams in
the Giants’ system. There are lots of signs
welcoming you to the park, celebrating Gigante, a
Bigfoot-looking mascot, and minor league ball in
general. One of the best is a painting of a
‘40s-era blue and grey team bus carrying
ballplayers on the road, with the wording, "For
every player it starts with a dream…The dream ends
in one place -- The Show."
Before and After
the Game
San Jose is a modern city with many freeways
and suburbs, and there are many places to stay or
eat before or after the game. Santa Clara Avenue
(downtown near the Shark Tank) has many
restaurants and a brewpub. However, there is not a
whole lot right around the park.
Local Attractions
In San Jose, you can visit Great America
Amusement Park; Winchester Mystery House
(continuously expanded by the widow of the
inventor of the Winchester rifle, in hopes of
keeping away ghosts of its victims); or HP
Pavillion, home of the NHL Sharks. Santa Cruz and
Monterey are a beautiful drive to the southwest,
along one of the most beautiful stretches of the
California coast.
If you are looking to
attend a major-league game, the San Francisco
Giants and Oakland Athletics are both an hour
north, traffic permitting, on either side of the
San Francisco Bay.
For the Kids
As in the case at most minor-league games,
there is plenty for the kids to do, and there were
a lot of kids at the game. There is a pitching
machine cage, batting cage, and several
interactive games involving yelling and jumping.
Gigante, the team mascot, was not in the house on
the day of this visit.
Summary
This is one of the finest parks in the
California League to enjoy a ballgame, especially
if you like older parks. It’s very fan friendly,
especially for kids, and the team really goes out
of its way to promote their long local baseball
history.
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