Boston Hotel Recognized As One Of The Best MLB Ballpark Stays

It's officially springtime as baseball season is underway. If you're looking to stay overnight near your favorite stadium, Fifty Grande has detailed the best Major League ballpark hotels. The Hotel Commonwealth in Boston made the top ten list.

"Whether adorned with memorabilia from baseball’s history, offering unparalleled views of iconic stadiums or providing unique amenities tailored to fans, these hotels bring the excitement of the game out of the stadium and into the entirety of any baseball sojourn," Fifty Grande said.

For those who do travel to other cities to take in a ballgame, it's important to pose the question, what is most important when finding a place to stay overnight? For some it's a comfortable stay at the best hotel possible. Yet for others, they are simply looking for an affordable option that is in close proximity to the venue.

In this list, it's fair to say these hotels touch upon all three of those criteria points. Furthermore, whether you are there to follow your favorite team on the road, or on a mission to visit as many parks as possible in the MLB portfolio, you are bound to come across other hotel guests who are there for the same reason.

So, if you are heading into Boston to check out Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida play at their home field, there's a hotel near Fenway Park that you need to know about.

The second hotel on Fifty Grande's list, and the only one in the Northeast, the Hotel Commonwealth is walking distance the landmark that is Fenway Park. It's located at 500 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

Furthermore, there's a history lesson here. "Many of the 245 guest rooms at Hotel Commonwealth overlook Fenway Park, which was built in 1912 and is the oldest Major League Baseball ballpark still in use in the United States," Fifty Grande explains.

In addition to enjoying your time in Kenmore Square, the Hotel Commonwealth prides itself on being neighbors with the Red Sox.

"As the Official Hotel of the Boston Red Sox, Hotel Commonwealth offers exclusive Red Sox game packages – perfect to celebrate the superfan in your life," this hotel states.

Currently, rooms start at approximately $315 per night, depending upon the day of the week you are there.

As an honorable mention, The Verb Hotel on 1271 Boylston Street is also a great stay option near Fenway Park. This boutique pays tribute to music legends and is full of character. Their rooms start at about $200 per night for mid-week stay.

Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo wears number 99. Closer Kenley Jansen wears number 74. At first glance, you may think these are not typical baseball uniform numbers. The organization has 11 options that are immediately unavailable. The Red Sox retired numbers include 10 players that are forever Yawkey Way legends, and one player who is forever a MLB legend.

The Red Sox first retired a uniform number in 1984. It was #4 which belonged to Joe Cronin, who spent 48 years in baseball. The nod was to honor the fact that Cronin was a player, manager, and executive with Boston. Five days later (May 29, 1984) the Red Sox retired Ted Williams' #9. It would be four years until another number was retired with Bobby Doerr.

In April of 1997 all of Major League Baseball retired #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Walking into Fenway Park you will see banners draped along the outside walls of the stadium honoring each player who has their number retired. You will also see them displayed high above right field inside the park, complimenting the Pesky pole.

So, if you are catching a game this year and wondering why a starting pitcher like Nick Pivetta is sporting #37, it's important to know what his options were to select from. Here are the Red Sox retired numbers.