Sometimes referred to as “Chavez Ravine”, with new signs that declare this stadium as “Blue Heaven on Earth”, the Dodgers have played at Dodger Stadium ever since they switched from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1962. Their previous facility was their temporary home when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to L.A., helping to earn respect for the team after it was frequently denigrated as the third-best in the New York area.
One of the few stadiums that was originally funded through private sources, Dodger Stadium was built for $23 million. Construction started on September 17th. 1959, with the stadium opening on April 10th, 1962. Renovations over the past decade have brought this facility into the present at a cost that will likely exceed $500 million. Dodger Stadium is the third oldest MLB ballpark. Only Wrigley Field and Fenway Park have been around for a longer period of time.
It’s location in earthquake-prone California required that this stadium was built according to specs that would allow for its survival. Over the past five decades, Dodger Stadium has survived several earthquakes without serious damage occurring to the venue.
Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium
After the 90s proved to be an unsuccessful decade for the Dodgers, they’ve become one of the premiere teams over the last decade, making the post season six out of the last ten years, including five division titles. Their 2014 home record was solid at 45-36, although their road record of 49-32 was tops in the MLB. In 2015, their road record regressed while their play at home strengthened, earning one of the best home records in the majors.
Despite a slightly shorter distance to center field at 395 feet, Dodger Stadium has traditionally been considered a pitcher’s park. Due to it’s location close to the ocean, the dense, humid air changes many homers into harmless flyouts.
The MLB Park Factor stats show that Dodger Stadium lies in the bottom third of all ballparks in terms of the rate of runs, hits and triples produced, and dead last in terms of walks – although their stellar 2015 pitching staff may have more to do with the latter stat. Home runs occur at a rate slightly below average while doubles are hit at a top ten pace.
Stadium Vitals
Date Opened: September 17, 1959
Construction Cost: $23 million
Architect: Praeger, Kavanagh & Waterbury
Ballpark Type: Modern
Capacity Attendance: 56,000
Playing Surface: Santa Ana Bermuda Grass
Previous Los Angeles Dodgers Stadiums
Washington Park I & II; Ridgewood Park; Eastern Park; Ebbets Field; Roosevelt Stadium; Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Other Major Events
1984 Summer Olympics
The infamous 1984 Olympics, which was boycotted by Russia, featured baseball played at Dodger Stadium. As an exhibition sport, no official medals were given, and Japan ended up beating the United States by a score of 6-3 in the finals, winning the tournament. Chinese Taipei finished third by shutting out the South Korean team in the third-place final game.
International Soccer
The 2013 International Champions Cup was hosted at Dodger Stadium, welcoming Juventus, Everton, Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The L.A. Galaxy ended up beating Juventus by a score of 3-1 while Real Madrid beat Everton 2-1.
2014 NHL Stadium Series
On January 25th, 2014, the NHL Stadium series visited Dodger Stadium, where 54,099 fans watched the Anaheim Ducks defeat the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 3-0.