Play Ball! Billy Joel Playing Ballparks This Summer

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Photo by David Ninh via crowdalbum.com

He sang the National Anthem for the New York Mets at Citi Field for Game 3 of the World Series last October (see below). Now Billy Joel playing ballparks is becoming part of his 2016 concert calendar.

Now 66, the Piano Man has been performing roughly 1-3 concerts per month for the past several years. Included in that total is his record-breaking monthly residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden, which he’s been doing since January 2014. Joel is booked through August at MSG, which will mark his 32nd sold-out appearance at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

But this story is all about America’s pastime. Coinciding with the warm weather – which if history is any barometer should eventually return sometime this year – Joel is scheduled to perform at seven Major League ballparks this spring and summer.

He’ll return to San Diego for the first time in 15 years, performing one show at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, on May 14th. This will be the only performance Joel performs in California in 2016. On July 1st, Joel will play PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Update (1/28): Joel has added ballpark concerts in Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington, DC (see below).

On August 18th, Joel returns to America’s most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park, becoming the first recording artist to perform at the Boston Red Sox home in three consecutive years. He’ll then turn the same trick at the Chicago Cubs’ legendary home, Wrigley Field, marking the third straight year there – and his fifth overall. Tickets for all of his U.S. dates are available here.

In 2008, Joel famously played the two final concerts at the Mets’ original ballpark, Shea Stadium.

Click here for Best Classic Bands‘ Founder Greg Brodsky’s review of Joel’s May 2015 MSG performance.

Here’s a great clip of the Mets crowd serenading Joel to “Piano Man” during the World Series.

Billy Joel 2016 Tour Dates
Feb. 13 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Mar. 15 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Mar. 25 – Memphis, TN, FedEx Forum
Apr. 5 – Cincinnati, OH, US Bank Arena
Apr. 15 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
May 14 – San Diego, CA, Petco Park
May 20 – Seattle, WA, Safeco Field
May 27 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
June 17 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
July 1 – Pittsburgh, PA, PNC Park
July 9 – Philadelphia, PA, Citizens Bank Park
July 20 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
July 30 – Washington, DC, Nationals Park
Aug. 9 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Aug. 18 – Boston, MA, Fenway Park
Aug. 26 – Chicago, IL, Wrigley Field
Sept. 3 – Frankfurt, Germany, Commerzbank Arena
Sept. 10 – London, England, Wembley Stadium
Sept. 30 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Oct. 28 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Nov. 11 – Tulsa, OK, BOK Center
Nov. 30 – NYC, Madison Square Garden
Dec. 9 – San Antonio, TX, AT&T Center
Dec. 17 – NYC, Madison Square Garden