MLB players rank the best road cities

During Spring Training, MLB.com beat writers surveyed their clubhouses, asking players for their opinions on a range of topics. Well over 100 players participated, in exchange for anonymity. In the leadup to Opening Day, MLB.com is publishing a series of stories based on the results of that survey.

Today’s topic: What’s your favorite road city?

So you're planning a getaway -- maybe even getting started on your lifelong dream of visiting all 30 Major League ballparks -- but you're not sure where you're headed. Sure, in theory, you could turn to the internet for inspiration. Or, alternatively, you could seek out the advice of Major League Baseball players, some of the world's foremost experts in at least 28 different North American cities.

Here are the best road cities in Major League Baseball, as voted on by some very frequent flyers. While more than half of MLB cities received recognition in our poll, these rose to the top.

1. San Diego
The question of the best road city being purely a matter of opinion -- since cities don't have batting averages and can't, as far as we know, win Cy Young Awards -- this was a closer vote than most. Unsurprisingly, though, San Diego came out on top. Why? There was no single deciding factor, although the frequently balmy conditions at Petco Park certainly didn't hurt.

"The infield surface, the weather, the stadium, the atmosphere, the city -- you can't beat it," summed up one NL third baseman.

2. Chicago
Players weren't asked to specify, in cases of multi-team cities, which road trips they preferred, but in Chicago's case, opponents had the most to say about Wrigley Field.

"They came out," said an NL Central rival (an outfielder, no less). "They enjoy the game. Last year it was raining and nearly 11 o'clock and they had a sold-out stadium. They weren't even in the playoff hunt."

3. Toronto
Opposing players were especially hot on Toronto's walkability. One respondent actually labeled Toronto the pick for those in the know, saying, “It's the best city. If you ask around, I'm gonna tell you, guys are gonna say Toronto. Especially if they've been in the league for a little bit.”

4. Boston
As you might expect, the majority of Boston's admirers were all about playing at Fenway, it being MLB's oldest active ballpark (and, of course, one of the rowdiest, an energy that was also subject to a lot of praise). But the city itself got plenty of love, too, from the history buffs and more casual tourists alike.

5. New York
New York's highest praise, ironically, came from a member of the Red Sox. “It brings the best out of you," he said, speaking specifically about Yankee Stadium. "It's much different when you're taking the field against the New York Yankees than another team that isn't so popular with that much history.” A pretty nice compliment for a hostile environment.

Also receiving votes: Anaheim, Arlington, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Washington, D.C.