In the seasons of 1956 and 1957, as part of negotiations for a new Ebbets Field, Walter O'Malley scheduled
one game against each National League opponent at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City. Normally this
stadium was home to the Jersey City Giants, and later other Jersey City minor league teams.
More importantly in Dodger history, Jackie Robinson's
minor league debut with the Montreal Royals was there on April 18, 1946. He went 4 for 5, with a
home run, four runs, three runs batted in, and two stolen bases. The Royals won 14 to 1.
Overhead view of Roosevelt Stadium
Roosevelt Stadium was built in 1937, with a capacity of 24,000, and demolished in 1985. The
last professional baseball game was played there in 1978.
Los Angeles Coliseum
After the Dodgers abandoned Brooklyn in 1958, and before Dodger Stadium was completed, they played for
four seasons at the Los Angeles Coliseum. This stadium was constructed in 1923, and hosted the 1932 and
1984 Olympics.
It resembles an ancient Greek or Roman stadium on a far larger scale. Seating capacity has been as high
as 101,000 but today it holds 95,000. The dimensions of the Coliseum were not well suited for baseball- a giant net in left field failed to
prevent a wild imbalance in home run numbers between left and right.
LA Coliseum in baseball configuration
The Los Angeles Coliseum has hosted the Rams and Raiders of the NFL, the Dons of the AAFC,
the Xtreme of the XFL, and UCLA in college
football. Today the Coliseum is home to the University of Southern California football team, as it
has been ever since 1923.
Dodger Stadium
In 1950, the City of Los Angeles began eminent domain proceedings to force a poor Hispanic community out of
the valley of Chavez Ravine, claiming the intended housing development could house many members of the same
community one day soon. In fact, no housing development ever took place. The city eventually put a stadium there for Walter O'Malley- Dodger
Stadium. Dodger Stadium cost $23 million to build and opened in 1962, with a capacity of 56,000.
It has remained basically unchanged since.
Dodger Stadium in 2004 Picture courtesy Stacy Cowley
Dodger Stadium was also home to the expansion Los Angeles Angels* for four seasons. They insisted on
referring to it as "Chavez Ravine" throughout, before moving to a field of their own in Anaheim.
* Later the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels, and
now going by the ridiculous name The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Dodger Stadium from overhead Picture courtesy USGS
Memorable moments at Dodger Stadium have included Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, and Kirk Gibson's game winning home run in game one of the 1988
World Series. Because of huge turnover in recent decades, Dodger Stadium is now older than
every other major league park except Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.
The Dodgers have played more games at Dodger Stadium than they did at Ebbets Field. They've won
nine pennants and five World Series in Los Angeles.
