A Year On the Road: Reviewing the Top Stories of 2007
This photo of the Polo Grounds, razed in 1964, was our favorite archival image and illustrated Jim Caple's "Lost Ballparks and Old Landmarks." The shot of the former home of the Yankees serves as a touching farewell to the year … and for the Yanks as they prepare for their final year at Yankee Stadium before their new home field opens in 2009. (Bruce Bennett Studio/Getty Images)
Our second year at the ESPN SportsTravel desk has yielded some memorable stories and telling columns.
As 2007 comes to a close and the season of sports in 2008 begins, we'll take this opportunity to review "a year on the road" of the sports tourist.
The year's top five stories, by traffic, are listed first, followed by our other favorites to round out the Travel Ten:
1. Football's Oldest Stadiums: Witnesses to Game's Evolution
The essence of college football is found in three stadiums that stand as time pieces in a roughly 300-mile labyrinth of Interstate 95 between Philadelphia and Boston. Travel with us to Franklin Field, Harvard Stadium and the Yale Bowl. Story | Photo gallery
2. Lost Ballparks and Old Landmarks
Sure, it's always fun to check out baseball's newest ballparks. But anyone can go to the stadiums that are there. Sometimes it's even more rewarding to visit what remains of the ballparks that aren't there anymore or are hidden off the beaten path. Here are 10 "lost" baseball sites and other old landmarks that columnist Jim Caple suggests are worth exploring. Story | Photo gallery
3. Rickwood Field a Nod to an Earlier Era
The oldest ballpark in America, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, has connected generations of ballplayers and fans as surely as a 6-4-3 double play for the past century. As Caple tells it, the only things missing are players emerging from a cornfield and James Earl Jones talking about the glories of baseball. Story | Photo gallery
4. Best College Tailgating Scenes
On a crisp autumn morning, when the sun is shining on the ivy-covered halls, the band is marching through the quad playing the fight song and the cheerleaders' skirts are swaying, doesn't every tailgating party seem so exceptional it should be an NCAA violation? Caple
had the difficult assignment of picking a top 10 of college football pregame parties.
Story | Photo galleries: The fans and The stands
5. The Most Diabolical Links in the Country
From time to time, in golf and in life, it's good to get outside of your comfort zone. Way outside. Golf Digest gives you the perfect chance to plan your 2008 wish list, with its 50 toughest courses. Story | Photo gallery
6. Baseball's Best Seats: Oh-So-Special Spots in the Majors, Minors
The savvy baseball wanderer knows that certain parks offer access to special seating locations unlike the ones they'll find anywhere else in the world of baseball.
Here are 10 Major League stadiums and 10 minor-league parks that stand above the rest when it comes to offering fans original ways to enjoy the game.
Story | Photo gallery
7. Ten Reasons to Love the NASCAR Experience
Until you have witnessed firsthand the full experience in living color, the difference between NASCAR and all other American sports will be lost on you. From the vibrant hues of the cars, pit crews and packed grandstands to the thunderous sound of 43 engines starting simultaneously to the aroma of a thousand barbecue grills, a fan's senses are given a 200 mph joy ride at every race. Here are 10 things that make a ticket to a NASCAR race so special. Story | Complete NASCAR Track Guide
8. The Eyes of Austin are Upon Texas Football
With throngs of Longhorns faithful at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium dripping in burnt orange and passion, you'll feel the eyes of Texas, all right … and you'll be hooked, too.
Story | Photo gallery
9. Training Camp Travel Guide
We don't think there's any better way to prepare yourself for the NFL season than visiting training camp.
Sure, it's always a road trip, and many spots are in the middle of nowhere.
But to help you get motivated, tackle our complete guide to summer football.
Story | Photo gallery
10. Goin' Bowlin' – The Ultimate Road Trip
Just how many bowl games can you drive to in a week's vacation? The Road Warrior, Jim Caple, has the correct answer. Try four – for example, the Holiday to the Emerald to the Rose to the Fiesta Bowl. Follow our complete bowl-tripping itinerary. Story | Photo gallery
