Top 5 moments in Dodger Stadium history
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LOS ANGELES -- Dodger Stadium opened its doors in 1962. Since then, it has become one of the most historic ballparks in Major League Baseball and has also held some of the biggest events in the country over the last 60 years.
The Beatles had their last formal concert at Dodger Stadium, and Pope John Paul II spoke to over 56,000 people in 1987. Dodger Stadium has also held great international sports events. It has also held a ton of historic moments in MLB history.
Let’s try and take a look at the top five Dodgers moments at Chavez Ravine.
1. Gibson walks off A’s
The great Vin Scully said it best: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”
Kirk Gibson, who was dealing with a left hamstring and right knee injuries, limped up to the plate for a pinch-hit appearance against Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Gibson put together an epic at-bat before launching a walk-off two-run homer over the right-field wall to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the Fall Classic over the A’s. Gibson then slowly trotted around the bases. It was bedlam at Dodger Stadium, and late manager Tommy Lasorda was seen jumping up and down in joy. Dodger Stadium has a lot of good memories, but it’s tough to top that night when Gibson took Eckersley deep.
2. Koufax’s perfect game
The Dodgers have 26 no-hitters in franchise history, but Sandy Koufax is the only pitcher who can say he completed a perfect game as a member of the Dodgers.
Koufax was absolutely dominant in this game against the Cubs on Sept. 9, 1965, striking out 14 of the 27 batters he faced. The Dodgers needed every bit of it as Bob Hendley limited Los Angeles to just one hit. Koufax’s performance received a game score of 101, which was the highest in franchise history until Clayton Kershaw eclipsed it with his no-hitter with a score of 102.
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3. World Series champs
The Dodgers beat the Yankees, 2-1, in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series, sweeping New York in the Fall Classic. Koufax was on the mound for the Dodgers, and he was fantastic yet again.
Willie Davis recorded the game-winning RBI on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Mickey Mantle hit a homer, the only run scored by the Yankees. This is still the only time the Dodgers have clinched a World Series championship at Dodger Stadium.
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4. Fernandomania
Fernandomania was an event that lasted for years -- and still carries a huge influence to this day -- but it all started on Opening Day in 1981 when Fernando Valenzuela tossed a shutout against the Astros in a start he wasn’t even supposed to make.
Valenzuela, who began making his mark in 1980, became an instant legend because of his performances and because of the heavy Mexican population in Southern California. Valenzuela started the season with an 8-0 record, tossing five shutouts in the process. The left-hander went on to win the NL Cy Young and the Dodgers won their fifth World Series title.
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5. Opening of Dodger Stadium
None of the historic moments would’ve been possible without this one: the opening of Dodger Stadium on April 10, 1962.
Dodger Stadium was constructed in less than three years, costing just about $23 million. It is now the third-oldest ballpark in the Majors behind the Cubs’ Wrigley Field and Fenway Park in Boston.