Every MLB Franchise's Greatest Stadium Tradition

Stadium traditions take shape in a number of different ways, and whether it's a song, race or action, we all know what gets us going when we're sitting in the stands cheering on our hometown team.

Some of these traditions have taken place for the oldest franchises in baseball, while others are new-found traditions being born with the new stadiums being erected in this league.

Since there are many stadiums I haven't set foot in, feel free to chime in with anything I may not be aware of at stadiums across the league.

At any rate, here are some of the best traditions taking place in a MLB stadium near you.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Outfield Pool

With the heat always prevalent in steamy Arizona, the Diamondbacks installed a unique feature when they put a pool and hot tub in the outfield area of Chase Field.

Atlanta Braves: Tomahawk Chop

It's really hard to think of an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field without the Tomahawk Chop that fans have been using for years now.

Some groups may question its political correctness, but it has been with the team for so long that it's hard to envision it going anywhere.

Baltimore Orioles: Thank God I'm a Country Boy

Since the late 1970s, it has been a Baltimore tradition to sing John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" at some point during Orioles games.

During a game in 1997, Denver himself took to the field to sing along with the crowd in what would be one of the last public appearances he would make before his untimely death.

Boston Red Sox: Sweet Caroline

You can feel however you want about Neil Diamond, but if you can't get up and sing along to "Sweet Caroline," you've got problems.

Chicago Cubs: Seventh-Inning Stretch

It has taken on a different tone since the passing of Harry Caray, but the seventh-inning stretch rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley Field is one of the best traditions in all of baseball.

Chicago White Sox: Thunderstruck Intro

Throughout this slideshow we'll see a number of teams that have that one song associated with them, and for the Chicago White Sox, the fans get engaged early on at U.S. Cellular Field when the team enters the field to "Thunderstruck."

Cincinnati Reds: Opening Day

It has been a longstanding tradition in Cincinnati that the Reds play the first game of the major league season, resulting in an unofficial holiday for the faithful headed to the Great American Ballpark in early April.   

Cleveland Indians: John Adams

The fans in Cleveland have been treated to some good baseball in the past year and a half, as their Indians are once again contending in the AL Central.

Who knows where the team would be without longtime drummer John Adams getting things going on a regular basis at Progressive Field.

Colorado Rockies: The Humidor

I guess this isn't the most typical of stadium traditions, but when Coors Field opened in Denver and quickly became a hitter's haven, something needed to be done to counteract the effects of the elevation.

The humidor at the stadium did the trick, deadening the balls and producing power numbers more comparable to the rest of the league.

Detroit Tigers: Detroit Rock City

When you've got a classic song like this KISS tune bearing your hometown's name, I guess it's almost mandatory that you take the time to rock out during games like the Comerica Park faithful do at times during Tigers games.

Houston Astros: Home Run Train

Taking a lap across the outfield whenever an Astros player hits a home run or the team wins a game at Minute Maid Park, the train at the Astros' ballpark pays homage to what was once Houston's Union Station.

Kansas City Royals: Kauffman Stadium Fountains

Recently renovated Kauffman Stadium will be getting plenty of attention this summer, as the 2012 All-Star game will be headed to Kansas City in July, showcasing one of the more underrated stadiums in baseball.

Los Angeles Angels: Rally Monkey

It's almost a surprise that something as simple as a monkey jumping up and down to House of Pain's "Jump Around" could get fans going and set off rallies for the Los Angeles Angels, but that's exactly what has happened—evidenced in great part during the team's run to a World Series championship in 2002.

Los Angeles Dodgers: All-You-Can-Eat Paviliion

With a separate seating area allowing fans the opportunity to get an unlimited fill of traditional ballpark fare, Dodger Stadium is a friend of many who love to indulge from time to time, but at the same time is certainly a dietician's nightmare.

Miami Marlins: Home Run Statue

Since Marlins Ballpark is only a few months old, many traditions will need to feel themselves out before we know what really sticks.

What we do know is that the statue in the outfield that activates after a Marlins home run is virtually impossible to miss, for better or worse.

Milwaukee Brewers: Bernie's Home Run Celebration

The sausage races at Miller Park are certainly a sight to behold, but Bernie the Brewer sliding down his giant yellow slide in the outfield after a Milwaukee home run is just as memorable for anyone in attendance.

Minnesota Twins: Minnie and Paul Home Run Sign

The Minnesota Twins did a great job of integrating the history of the franchise into the recently-constructed Target Field, and the stadium's focal point in center field is none other than the famous "Minnie and Paul" logo, one of the team's original logos.

When a Twins player hits a home run or the team wins, the two light up and shake hands.

New York Mets: The Big Apple

There aren't many images more synonymous with the New York Mets than the giant apple that we remember from Shea Stadium.

Luckily, the landmark wasn't forgotten when the team made its move to Citi Field a few years ago.

New York Yankees: Roll Call

With as much history as the New York Yankees franchise has under its belt, it's hard to single out just one Yankee Stadium tradition, so we'll stick with the roll call.

When groups of fans are engaged enough that they can actually garner the attention of the players on the field, you know they're doing something right.

Oakland Athletics: Tailgating

Tailgating might be something more commonly associated with the NFL, but that makes it all the more fitting that A's fans would enjoy the tailgating experience since the team does share a stadium with the Oakland Raiders.

Philadelphia Phillies: Liberty Bell

There are few things better than the freedom that our country enjoys every day of our lives—and in Philadelphia, a symbol of our independence has been recreated at Citizens Bank Park, with the 52-foot-tall Liberty Bell lighting up each time a Phillie goes yard.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Primanti Bros.

Having never been to Pittsburgh, I haven't had the chance to enjoy a Primanti Bros. sandwich, which has been a staple at PNC Park since its creation and a part of the steel city's heritage since 1933.

San Diego Padres: Armed Services Appreciation

As we celebrate Memorial Day this week and prepare to celebrate our Independence Day in a little over a month, it's important to remember all the sacrifices that our Armed Forces make for us.

No team does a better job of recognizing these heroes than the San Diego Padres, who regularly do so at Petco Park.

San Francisco Giants : McCovey Cove

Since Barry Bonds took off the Giants uniform for the final time, there haven't been nearly as many balls making their way into McCovey Cove for a shot at a longball, but that hasn't stopped fans from making their way there on a nightly basis.

Seattle Mariners: Rally Fries

The Safeco Field faithful take to the stadium on a nightly basis to catch the Mariners take on their AL West foes, and while they don't always get a win, they may just be lucky enough to be spotted by the cameras and earn themselves some Rally Fries.

St. Louis Cardinals: Clydesdales

The team may no longer be owned by the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, but the team, stadium and city are still entrenched in the history of the Anheuser-Busch name and brand. Anytime the Clydesdales take to the field, it's a timeless reminder of everything they've stood for over the years.

Tampa Bay Rays: Cowbells

Depending on which side of the equation you're on, it may be one of the most annoying traditions in all of baseball, but since being born from the Saturday Night Live skit featuring Christopher Walken, fans at Tropicana Field have always needed "more cowbell."

Texas Rangers: Dot Race

There are all sorts of races that take place throughout major league stadiums, and while the Milwaukee Brewers may take the cake with their sometimes dangerous sausage races, the fans in Texas have the pleasure of seeing dots take the field to compete for greatness.

Toronto Blue Jays: OK Blue Jays

As we've seen, many teams throughout the league have songs that are a stadium staple. Whether it's "Sweet Caroline" in Boston, or "New York, New York" in Yankee Stadium, they're an important part of the game experience.

In Toronto, the Blue Jays have a more original way of doing things, with a rendition of "OK Blue Jays."

Washington Nationals: Presidents Race

In our nation's capital, is there really a better way to celebrate the commanders-in-chief of our past than by having their blown-up heads race around the field? I think not.

Given all the different races we've seen in this slideshow, however, you'd have to wonder if a president, dot or sausage would have the edge in a showdown of the best out there.