Dodger Stadium: A historical look at the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers

Located about two miles from downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium is a place where past and present fuse together. Home to some of baseball's most iconic moments, the venue is currently the third-oldest active stadium in North American professional baseball.

Construction first broke ground in 1959 on the Chavez Ravine, just north of downtown Los Angeles. Building the park took three years. Reaching completion in 1962, the $23 million ($232 2024 equivalent) project was the first venue since the original Yankee Stadium to be built using 100% private funding.

"Dodger Stadium, under construction (May 1960)" - LAX Sports Nation

When it opened in 1962, Dodger Stadium had a capacity of 56,000, featured 21 terraced entrances and with help from LA-based architect Edward Fickett, boasted a "California modernist" style. Between 1962 and 1965, the Dodgers shared the stadium with the Los Angeles Angels before their move to Anaheim.

In 1963, the Dodgers won their first World Series at their new home field, defeating the New York Yankees in a sweep. This was the first of 10 World Series played at Dodger Stadium, with the most recent coming in 1988.

Dodger Stadium has long been regarded as a pitcher-friendly ballpark. This is because the center field is a relatively deep 395 feet from home plate, and the power alleys are 330 feet. Moreover, the ocean climate is reputed to make the air heavier, meaning deep fly balls travel less.

"Sandy Koufax pitching in the 9th inning of his perfect game in 1965" - Baseball History Nut

After the New York Mets moved out of Shea Stadium in 2009, Dodger Stadium became the only NL park with a symmetrical outfield. Since the very beginning, some 11 no-hitters and two perfect games have been thrown on the surface, more than any other venue in MLB.

Dodger Stadium retains special place in hearts of players who played there

Just this week, when the Texas Rangers came to LA to play the Dodgers, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager lamented not being able to take to the field. The injured Seager played eight seasons for the Dodgers, winning the Rookie of the Year in the process. On his absence, Seager told The Score:

“This organization kind of raised me, kind of made me the man I am today, taught me the game of baseball, made a lot of friends, made a lot of buddies, had a lot of good times out there so all those memories kind of flash back as you’re pulling in."

Now, with a new generation of exciting young talent calling the stadium home, expect the park's storied legacy to continue.