Dodger Stadium History | Los Angeles Dodgers (2024)

Dodger Stadium has been the home of unique and special moments, Hall of Famers and World Champions. From no-hitters to Nomo-mania, Most Valuable Players and Cy Young Award winners to World Series victories, Dodger Stadium has a rich history that places it among the truly great venues in sports history. With musical extravaganzas that have included rock, pop and opera royalty, a papal visit and unique events such as motorcycle racing and monster truck events, Dodger Stadium is also among the great entertainment destinations in the country.

It is the third oldest continually used park in Major League Baseball and stands as one of the most unique and picturesque settings in sports, carved as it is into the hillside of Chavez Ravine overlooking downtown LA to the south and the San Gabriel mountains to the north.

Through the years, Dodger Stadium has seen legendary moments, such as Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, the rise of Fernandomania in 1981, Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series (one of 20 World Series games), the 1980 All-Star Game, the 1984 Olympic Games baseball competition, the 2009 World Baseball Classic Final and events such as a Mass conducted by Pope John Paul II and concerts by the biggest names in the business like The Beatles, Michael Jackson and U2.

One of the true cathedrals of baseball, Dodger Stadium has hosted more than 147 million fans since it opened its doors in 1962. The club topped the 3.85 million mark in 2007, which stands as the all-time franchise record.

The ballpark's rich history began with Dodger President Walter O'Malley's foresight six decades ago. In 1957, O'Malley lobbied for a new stadium to be built for his Brooklyn club, but when a deal could not be reached, the Dodgers made the unprecedented move to California. In September of that year, the city of Los Angeles agreed to give 300 acres of land to the Dodgers in exchange for the deed to Wrigley Field in Los Angeles and their commitment to construct a 50,000-seat stadium. While Dodger Stadium was being built, the Dodgers played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum through 1961, before the true Opening Day- April 10, 1962 - when the Dodgers finally played in their new home before 52,564 fans. The 56,000-seat Dodger Stadium, the first privately financed ballpark since Yankee Stadium in 1923, is a reflection of the careful study Walter O'Malley put into this seminal project. Dodger Stadium was designed by O'Malley and New York based architect and civil engineer, Emil Praeger with support from Los Angeles based Edward Fickett, FAIA, a fourth generation California native and prolific architect who brought a regional flare to the engineering feat that is Dodger Stadium. Praeger designed the stadium so that each entry is at grade -- from the Top Deck to the Field level seats. The 21 terraced entrances on the six different seating levels presents a unique vertical circulation along the landscaped plazas around the stadium perimeter and each section of seating has parking immediately adjacent the entrance . There is parking for 16,000 cars on site, carved as the stadium is, into the hillside of Chavez Ravine. Fickett's contribution of style and color gives the building a uniquely Southern California 1960's "modern" style.

Dodger Stadium has seen improvements in the past from the addition of suites to new scoreboards and a renovation of the field level. Now in its 52nd season, Dodger Stadium is undergoing its most ambitious improvements to date including both visible changes and behind the scenes upgrades to the aging infrastructure.

HD video screens and a new sound system, more spacious concourses, restrooms and concessions and expanded and renovated clubhouse and a state-of-the-art WiFi network will help evolve one of Los Angeles' best known landmarks into a technologically advanced, fan friendly entertainment venue.

Many of the architectural touches that make Dodger Stadium unique are repeated in the new additions, inspired by exploring the venue as well as researching the original, well kept, Walter O'Malley archives.

Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium has hosted 10 World Series and the Dodgers have won five World Championships (1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988, 2020), 11 NL pennants (1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017, 2020), 19 NL Western Division crowns (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1995, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and three NL Wild Card berths (1996, 2006, 2021).

Dodger Stadium History | Los Angeles Dodgers (2024)

FAQs

Dodger Stadium History | Los Angeles Dodgers? ›

Since opening its gates, Dodger Stadium has hosted 10 World Series and the Dodgers have won five World Championships (1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988, 2020), 11 NL pennants (1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017, 2020), 19 NL Western Division crowns (1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1995, 2004, 2008, ...

What is the history of Dodgers Stadium? ›

Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the ballpark for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of US$23 million (US$232 million in 2023).

What were the Dodgers called before the Dodgers? ›

Los Angeles Dodgers, American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles that plays in the National League (NL). The team has won seven World Series titles and 24 NL pennants. Founded in 1883, the Dodgers were originally based in Brooklyn, New York, and were known as the Atlantics.

What stolen land was Dodger Stadium built on? ›

Known today as Chavez Ravine, the 315 acres of land between the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles were once home to three predominantly Mexican American neighborhoods: Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop.

What is the true story of Chavez Ravine? ›

Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story tells the story of how this Mexican American community was destroyed by greed, political hypocrisy, and good intentions gone awry. During the early 1950s, the city of Los Angeles forcibly evicted the 300 families of Chavez Ravine to make way for a low-income public housing project.

Why is Dodgers Stadium so famous? ›

Through the years, Dodger Stadium has seen legendary moments, such as Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, the rise of Fernandomania in 1981, Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series (one of 20 World Series games), the 1980 All-Star Game, the 1984 Olympic Games baseball competition, the 2009 ...

Why did the Dodgers move to LA? ›

After the 1957 season, Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley moved the team to Los Angeles for financial and other reasons. Along the way, he managed to convince Giants owner Horace Stoneham—who was considering moving his team to Minnesota—to preserve the rivalry by bringing his team to California as well.

What are Dodgers fans called? ›

Los Angeles Dodgers

Bleeding Dodger Blue – Avid fans. Dem Bums – From the Brooklyn years. Reference from the team's problems during the era getting a world championship. Originally derogatory, Dodgers fans later adopted it as a term of affection.

Why is it called a dodger? ›

According to the club, the name originated in 1896 as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Heavy construction of electric trolley tracks in front of Eastern Park caused fans to dodge the trolleys to reach the park. Those fans became known as Trolley Dodgers and the team took on the name, which was shortened to Dodgers.

What is the dark history of the Dodger Stadium? ›

But there's a dark history to the site. In order for Dodger Stadium to be built, the city of Los Angeles took homes from 1800 Mexican-American families and destroyed three vibrant neighborhoods. The story is shameful and lends a painful footnote to the history of baseball in Los Angeles.

Does Dodger Stadium have a jail? ›

“It's just a holding area,” Smith insists politely. I let the matter drop, but figure if we have to call jails “holding areas,” we're going to ruin a lot of good country-and-Western songs. The Dodger jail is part of the stadium security office, which is between the two upper decks, behind home plate.

Which Dodger was signed illegally? ›

The Dodgers signed Beltre on July 7, 1994. They listed his birth date as April 7, 1978, which would have made him the requisite 16 years old when he signed. But Beltre was actually born a year later, meaning he was 15 when he signed. Altered documents were found in the Dodgers' files.

What is buried under the blue? ›

Buried Under the Blue wants Latinos to realize the damage and trauma that gentrification has caused because the displacement of La Loma, Palo Verde, and Bishop was not the first time communities of color have been displaced for capital gains, and it won't be the last.

Who owns Dodgers Stadium now? ›

Former Dodger owner Frank McCourt still owns ½ of the parking lot at Dodger Stadium. He retained the land when he sold the Dodgers, the Stadium and the other 130 acres to Magic Johnson and Guggenheim Baseball.

How many people died in Chavez Ravine? ›

At least 7000 people died, resulting in instability, crime, and civil unrest. For one man, Juan Cabral y Carlos, the revolution spelled trouble. By 1914 he had five children, had buried his first wife, and his eldest daughter, Abrana, was 17 years old and at risk from the soldiers.

What was on the land before Dodgers Stadium? ›

Before Dodger Stadium was established, Chavez Ravine was home to three predominantly Mexican-American neighborhoods: Palo Verde, La Loma, and Bishop (Normark, 2003, p. 12). These neighborhoods comprised about 300 acres of land and housed over 1,100 families.

Where did the Dodgers originally play? ›

Eastern Park (1891-1897) The original home of the Brooklyn Ward's Wonders of the Players' League, Eastern Park welcomed the Dodgers franchise on a part-time basis in 1891 and full-time the following year for six seasons.

What are some fun facts about the Dodgers stadium? ›

Dodger Stadium is Almost a Senior

The Stadium was born built in 1962, making it the third oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. And in case anyone wants to know the older ones: Fenway Park in Boston was built in 1911, making it the oldest, and Chicago's Wrigley Field is the second oldest, built in 1914.

What is the oldest stadium in baseball history? ›

Although Fenway has undergone major renovations as recently as this century, the Red Sox's home is still the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.

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