Baseball History: A Look at Where the Dodgers Played in 1959
Baseball history is full of interesting facts, and one of the most intriguing is the question of where the Dodgers played in 1959. This was a very important year in baseball history, as the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and became the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move was significant for many reasons, including the fact that it marked the first time a Major League Baseball team had relocated from one city to another. So, where did the Dodgers play in 1959?
History of the Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a professional baseball team that played in the National League from 1884 to 1957. The team was founded in 1883 and was originally called the Brooklyn Atlantics, after the Atlantic Avenue street in Brooklyn. In 1890, the team changed its name to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, and then in 1898 it changed its name to the Brooklyn Superbas, which was shortened to the Dodgers in 1910. The team played at various stadiums in Brooklyn, including Washington Park and Ebbets Field.
Leaving Brooklyn
In 1957, the Dodgers announced that they would be moving to Los Angeles, California. The decision to move the team was made by Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, who had been trying to get the city of New York to build a new stadium for the team. When the city refused, O’Malley decided to move the team to Los Angeles.
Spring Training in Florida
Before the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, they held their spring training in Clearwater, Florida. The team played its games at the Clearwater Athletic Field, which is now the site of a shopping center. The Dodgers played their final spring training game in Clearwater on April 4, 1959, and then they headed to Los Angeles to begin their new era as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The first home for the Los Angeles Dodgers was the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The team played its first game in Los Angeles on April 18, 1959, in front of 78,672 fans. The Dodgers went on to play in the Coliseum for four seasons, from 1959 to 1961. During that time, the Dodgers had a record of 183-136, and they won the World Series in 1959 and 1963.
Chavez Ravine
After playing in the Coliseum for four seasons, the Dodgers moved to their new home at Dodger Stadium in 1962. The stadium, which is located in Chavez Ravine, was built on the site of an old Mexican-American neighborhood that had been cleared out to make way for the stadium. The first game at Dodger Stadium was played on April 10, 1962, and the Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 1965, 1981, and 1988.
Away Games in 1959
In addition to home games at the Coliseum and Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers had to play a number of away games in 1959. The team played games against the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates, among others.
The 1959 World Series
The Dodgers went on to win the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox. The series was a best-of-seven format, and the Dodgers won the series in six games. The Dodgers’ ace pitcher, Sandy Koufax, was instrumental in the team’s success, as he pitched two complete game victories in the series.
Legacy of the Dodgers
The Dodgers have had an incredible amount of success since they moved to Los Angeles in 1959. The team has won seven World Series titles, including the 1959 championship, and has had numerous Hall of Fame players, such as Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Steve Garvey. The Dodgers are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, and their legacy is still strong today.
Conclusion
The story of the Brooklyn Dodgers is one of the most fascinating in baseball history. The team moved to Los Angeles in 1959 and went on to have a great deal of success, both on and off the field. The team played its home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 1959 to 1961, and then moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962. The Dodgers also had to play a number of away games in 1959, and they went on to win the World Series that year. The Dodgers’ legacy continues to be felt today, as the team is one of the most successful franchises in all of Major League Baseball.
Keywords: Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Dodger Stadium, 1959 World Series, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Steve Garvey