Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (2024)

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Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (1)

An aerial view of Dodger Stadium with downtown L.A. in the background. Dodger Stadium has witnessed many of the city’s greatest moments since opening in April 1962.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

ByHouston Mitchell

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Here’s a look at many of the biggest moments in Dodger Stadium history ahead of the 2022 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. The following timeline includes moments that aren’t exclusive to the Dodgers’ accomplishments in Chavez Ravine over the last 60 years.

  • May 28, 1957: National League owners vote unanimously to approve the Brooklyn Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles.
  • Oct. 8, 1957: Walter O’Malley makes it official, announces the move to L.A.
  • May 8, 1959: The remaining residents of the Chavez Ravine (site of Dodger Stadium) community are forcibly evicted from their homes to allow construction on the stadium to begin. Police were called after residents refused to leave. The fray lasted about two hours. After the eviction, bulldozers leveled structures on the property.
  • Sept. 17, 1959: Official groundbreaking ceremony for Dodger Stadium.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (3)

Dodger Stadium under construction on March 7, 1962.

(Associated Press)

  • April 10, 1962: First game at Dodger Stadium, with 52,564 people in attendance to watch the Dodgers lose to the Cincinnati Reds, 6-3. Eddie Kasko of the Reds gets the first hit at Dodger Stadium; Wally Post of the Reds hits the first home run. Duke Snider is the first Dodger to get a hit.
  • April 11, 1962: Jim Gilliam becomes the first Dodger to homer at Dodger Stadium, a two-run shot off the Reds’ Moe Drabowsky.
  • May 5, 1962: Bo Belinsky, of the Angels, becomes the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium in a 2-0 win over Baltimore.
  • Oct. 3, 1962: Maury Wills steals his record 104th base of the season to finish off his MVP season in style.
  • March 21, 1963: Boxer Ultiminio “Sugar” Ramos wins the WBC and WBA featherweight titles from Davey Moore in ten rounds. Moore died days after this fight.

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  • Oct. 6, 1963: The Dodgers complete a four-game World Series sweep of the New York Yankees with a 2-1 victory.
  • Oct. 25-27, 1963: As part of the 1963 Giant International Ski Show, a 165-foot ski jump was built in right field. The jump hill was 28 stories high, nearly twice the height of Dodger Stadium.
  • Feb. 2, 1964: The Harlem Globetrotters appear in the only basketball game ever played at Dodger Stadium. A basketball game preceded the Globetrotters featuring the 1963 Dodgers vs. the 1963 Chicago Bears.
  • Sept. 9, 1965: Sandy Koufax pitches a perfect game against the Cubs, still the only perfect game in franchise history.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (5)

Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax delivers to Chicago Cubs batter Chris Krug during his perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965.

(Associated Press)

  • Aug. 28, 1966: The Beatles play a concert at Dodger Stadium before an estimated 45,000 people. Tickets were priced at $3, $4.50, $5.50 and $6
  • June 8, 1968: Don Drysdale sets the record for most consecutive scoreless innings with 58.
  • Aug. 6, 1969: Willie Stargell of the Pirates becomes the first player to hit a fair ball out of Dodger Stadium.
  • July 20, 1970: Bill Singer no-hits the Philadelphia Phillies in a 5-0 victory.
  • June 4, 1972: The Dodgers retire the numbers of Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39) and Sandy Koufax (32) during a ceremony at the Stadium.
  • 1975: New, space-age colored seats replace original 1962 seats at Dodger Stadium.
  • Oct. 25-26, 1975: Elton John appears in a sequined Dodgers uniform during two memorable concerts.
  • April 25, 1976: Two people run onto the field and attempt to set fire to the American flag, but Cubs center fielder Rick Monday runs over and grabs the flag before they can do it.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (6)

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  • Oct. 2, 1977: Dusty Baker homers during the final game of the season for his 30th homer, making the Dodgers the first team in history to have four players with at least 30.
  • Oct. 11, 1978: In an epic matchup featuring power vs. power, rookie Bob Welch strikes out Reggie Jackson to end the game and preserve L.A.’s 4-3 victory in Game 2 of the World Series.
  • July 8, 1980: Dodger Stadium hosts its first All-Star game. Making its debut during the game: The DodgerVision videoboard in left field.
  • Oct. 3-Oct. 5, 1980: Down three to the Astros with three to play, the Dodgers sweep Houston in the final games of the season to force a one-game playoff.
  • April 9, 1981: Rookie Fernando Valenzuela opens the season with a 2-0 shutout of the Houston Astros and “Fernandomania” is born.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (7)

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  • June 7, 1982: Steve Garvey is honored during the game for playing in his 1,000th straight game.
  • Nov. 30-Dec. 9, 1984: The Jacksons take over the stadium for a series of Victory tour concerts.
  • June 30, 1985: Pedro Guerrero ties a major league record by hitting his 15th home run in the month of June.
  • Sept. 16, 1987: An estimated 63,000 pack are in attendance as The Pope holds Mass at Dodger Stadium.
  • Oct. 15, 1988: Kirk Gibson hits perhaps the most famous homer in history to give the Dodgers the World Series Game 1 win.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (8)

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  • June 4, 1990: Ramon Martinez ties Sandy Koufax’s team record by striking out 18 Braves in a 6-0 victory.
  • June 29, 1990: In his final season with the Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela no-hits the St. Louis Cardinals in 6-0 victory.
  • July 28, 1991: Montreal’s Dennis Martinez throws a perfect game against the Dodgers.
  • Aug. 17, 1992: Kevin Gross pitches a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over the Giants.
  • July 16, 1994: Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras perform during “The Three Tenors” concert. Top tickets sold for $1,000.
  • April 13, 1996: “Nomomania” continues as Hideo Nomo strikes out 17 Florida Marlins in 3-1 win.

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  • Sept. 21, 1997: Mike Piazza becomes the first Dodger to hit a home run out of Dodger Stadium when he homers off of Colorado’s Frank Castillo.
  • June 13, 2000: Eric Karros becomes the L.A. Dodgers’ all-time home run leader with No. 229, surpassing Ron Cey.
  • Aug. 17, 2003: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band play before an estimated 45,000.
  • Oct. 2, 2004: Steve Finley hits a walk-off grand slam to beat the San Francisco and clinch the NL West title.
Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (10)

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  • 2005: Seating in Dodger Stadium is overhauled, with more seats added, reducing the amount of foul territory.
  • Sept. 18, 2006: Trailing 9-5 heading into the ninth, the Dodgers hit four straight homers off of Padres pitching to send the game into extra innings, where they win on Nomar Garciaparra’s homer.
  • 2008: Planned $412-million renovations announced to include plaza with restaurants beyond center field. The renovations are never completed due to the team going into bankruptcy under Frank McCourt.
  • June 28, 2008: The Dodgers get their only run on an error and defeat the Angels 1-0 despite not getting a hit in the game.
  • 2012: Extensive renovations are completed to the clubhouses, weight rooms, concession stands, restrooms and sound system.

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  • May 2, 2012: The new owners, one of which is Magic Johnson, of the team, hold an introductory news conference.
  • April 1, 2013: Clayton Kershaw shuts out the Giants on Opening Day and hits a home run.
  • 2014: Concourses are widened throughout the stadium, and new bar seating and children’s play areas are added in left and right field.
  • Jan. 25, 2014: The NHL holds their annual “Winter Classic” game at Dodger Stadium, with the Ducks beating the Kings, 3-0.
  • June 18, 2014: Clayton Kershaw no-hits the Colorado Rockies. Only a Hanley Ramirez error prevents it from being a perfect game.
    Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (12)

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    Vin Scully calls every out of Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter.

  • Sept. 25, 2016: Vin Scully broadcasts his final home game. Dodgers win on Charlie Culberson’s walk-off homer and Scully addresses the crowd after the game and sings “Wind Beneath My Wings”.
  • April 15, 2017: A statue of Jackie Robinson is unveiled near the left field reserve entrance.
  • Oct. 15, 2017: Justin Turner hits a memorable walk-off home run in NLCS Game 2 against the Cubs.
  • Oct. 26-27, 2018: Max Muncy hits a walk-off homer in the 18th innings of Game 3 of the World Series against Boston, ending the longest game in postseason history.
  • March 28, 2019: The Dodgers hit a record eight home runs on Opening Day in 12-5 win over Arizona.
  • July 13, 2019: In a three-hour concert, Paul McCartney plays a whopping 38 songs.

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  • 2020: Dodger Stadium remain closed during the season but eventually becomes host to one of the largest COVID-19 drive-thru vaccine clinics in the country.
  • April 9, 2021: In the home opener, the Dodgers hand out the 2020 World Series title rings and raise the World Series pennant.
  • Oct. 6, 2021: Chris Taylor hits a walk-off home run to lift the Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL wild-card game.
  • May 6-7, 2022: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias becomes first comedian to perform at Dodger Stadium, with two sold-out shows.

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Houston Mitchell is an assistant sports editor, writer of the Dodgers Dugout newsletter and editor of all of the sports newsletters for the Los Angeles Times.

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Dodger Stadium timeline: Key moments in the stadium's 60-year history (2024)

FAQs

What are some historical facts about the Dodgers? ›

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. The team joined the American Association in 1884 and won the league pennant in 1889.

How has Dodger Stadium changed over the years? ›

Renovations. Between 2003 and 2005, Dodger Stadium upgraded with LED video displays. The large main video display measures 27 feet (8.2 m) high by 47 feet (14 m) wide. In 2008, the Dodgers announced a $412 million project to build a Dodger museum, shops, and restaurants around Dodger Stadium.

What happened to the residents of Chavez Ravine in the 1950s? ›

Many adults who lived in Chavez Ravine are no longer alive. Most families left under eminent domain by 1951. Between 1951 and 1959, Chavez Ravine was mostly open space. In 1959, the families that remained were evicted from land they no longer owned.

What are some interesting facts about the Dodger Stadium? ›

15 Things You Never, Ever Knew About Dodger Stadium
  • There's a hidden Japanese garden behind parking lot 6. ...
  • Grilled Dodger Dogs FTW. ...
  • You can eat lunch at Dodger Stadium when there's no game. ...
  • There is a time capsule buried in the top deck. ...
  • The stadium's design was inspired by Tomorrowland.
Apr 6, 2015

What is the history of Dodger Stadium? ›

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 was the Dodgers worst year? ›

Like the Yankees and Cardinals, the Dodgers have not lost 100 games in a season since World War I, with their worst record being in 1992 with 63 wins and 99 losses.

What was the craziest comeback in MLB history? ›

T-1. 12 Runs: Cleveland 15, Seattle Mariners 14, 11 innings (Aug. 5, 2001)

Who did the Dodgers beat in 1955? ›

Jubilation in the Dodger clubhouse as Walter O'Malley and second-year Manager Walter Alston embrace as the Dodgers win their first World Championship on Oct. 4, 1955. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees, four games to three, with a 2-0 clincher in the seventh game at Yankee Stadium.

Why is Dodgers Stadium so famous? ›

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium is one of the most iconic baseball stadiums. It's renowned for its breathtaking views of the city skyline, and its classic design has remained largely unchanged since its opening.

What does the G stand for on the Dodgers uniform? ›

Guggenheim was front and center all offseason long for the Dodgers. After spending over $1 billion in free agency, the Guggenheim group made sure to have their logo on the backdrops for the Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto's introductory press conferences.

What is the new name of Dodger Stadium? ›

While the name “Dodger Stadium” will not change, the branding of the field itself represents a major shift for one of baseball's most storied franchises. The incursion of sponsorships will extend to the team's uniforms, too.

What neighborhood was destroyed for Dodgers Stadium? ›

The efforts to repossess the land, which lasted approximately ten years (1951–1961), eventually resulted in the removal of the entire population of Chavez Ravine from land on which Dodger Stadium was constructed.

How many people were displaced by Dodgers Stadium? ›

But before its construction in 1962, the area was home to thousands of residents, many of whom were of Mexican, Chinese and Italian descent. Nearly 1,800 of those families were displaced from the land later used to build the stadium.

Do the Dodgers own Chavez Ravine? ›

In 1957, the city agreed to trade the Chavez Ravine land to Walter O'Malley, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, for a minor-league baseball field he owned in L.A. The destruction of the community and the unjust treatment of its residents is a blight on L.A.'s history far worse than the condition of the neighborhoods torn ...

What is the history of the name Dodgers? ›

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.

Are the Dodgers historically good? ›

One of the most successful and storied franchises in MLB, the Dodgers have won seven World Series championships and a record 24 National League pennants.

What did the Dodgers do in 1955? ›

Jubilation in the Dodger clubhouse as Walter O'Malley and second-year Manager Walter Alston embrace as the Dodgers win their first World Championship on Oct. 4, 1955. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees, four games to three, with a 2-0 clincher in the seventh game at Yankee Stadium.

Who has the longest hitting streak in the Dodgers history? ›

Dodgers -- Willie Davis, 31 games (1969): For a franchise as storied as the Dodgers, it's a bit surprising that Davis holds this club record.

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