*What are you, a Wise Guide?

February 26, 2009

Actually, Andy and John Buchanan are both “wise guides,” as in their series of guide books to baseball stadiums and other venues.

In 2007, the brothers — John is a banker and Andy a freelance writer and also part-time Journalism professor at Columbia College of Chicago — published small books on the ballparks of the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Giants. Each contains valuable information to make the game experience as enjoyable as possible. And the post-game, too: there are suggestions about establishments where one can enjoy a good meal or drink while discussing the context.

Thumbing through the Wise Guide Yankee Stadium is already nostalgic, although much of the ancillary information still applies: the history of the team and its great players, reading suggestions, the neighborhood, travel, etc.

The Buchanans are looking to expand the series. For the time being, the information about all 30 ballparks is on their new website. It’s an interactive site where fans can chime in with their own reviews and thoughts. The Guidebooks have a separate site.

I had a chance to chat with Andy Buchanan about the Wise Guide project.

A few more thoughts from Andy Buchanan:

Bookshelf: So what’s your favorite ballpark?

Buchanan: Well, being a Cubs fan and longtime resident of the North Side, Wrigley is my home park and still favorite. If I was advising someone to take in a game anywhere in MLB, it’d be Wrigley for the entire experience of it: the park and atmosphere but also the surrounding neighborhood and city as a whole. If I had to set aside by bias, I’d say AT&T Park in San Francisco… beautiful park, wonderful setting, great food and drink, incredible city right outside the gates.

John and Andy Buchanan at Wrigley Field.
John and Andy Buchanan at Wrigley Field.

Bookshelf: Which would you say is the easiest to get to by public transportation?

Buchanan: At both Yankee Stadium and Wrigley the train drops you off steps from the park, and both are relatively quick trips from downtown (or Manhattan in NYC), so it’s hard to get better than that. I would give the nod to Yankee Stadium because more than one train line stops there, whereas in Chicago it’s the (often packed) Red Line or nothing.

Bookshelf: What about the best food?

Buchanan: Very close between AT&T Park and Safeco Field in Seattle, and I’d go with Safeco if pressed. Great variety, unique take on the hot dog (Ivar Dog, it’s actually fried cod) and excellent selection of micro-brews.

Bookshelf: Who are the friendliest fans?

Buchanan: Cardinals fans … and I say them because they actually have some great history they could boast about and be sorta condescending, but they aren’t. I have a feeling if the Cards were located in New York the fans would be insufferable.

Bookshelf: And the nicest overall experience?

Buchanan: AT&T Park for ‘nicest’ … but I’d still send someone to Wrigley if they had one afternoon all summer to take in a game.

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