15 Things You Never, Ever Knew About Dodger Stadium (2024)

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By

Garrett Snyder

15 Things You Never, Ever Knew About Dodger Stadium (1)

They call it Blue Heaven.

It’s home to Vin Scully (best announcer ever), Sandy Koufax (best pitcher ever), Clayton Kershaw (on his way to best pitcher ever), Dodger Dogs (not the best hot dog ever, but good), and, oh, four big-ass World Series banners. It’s the third-oldest stadium in the country, seats the most people, and according to Instagram, is the second-most Instagrammed spot on EARTH. In other words, it’s easily one of the coolest places in LA. So, this MLB Opening Day, let's get to know the home of the 2015 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers (CALLING IT NOW!!!).

Here are 15 things you had no idea were a thing at Dodger Stadium, all of which'll make you love it all the more. (P.S. Giants suck.)

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There's a hidden Japanese garden behind parking lot 6

The legend goes like this: when Dodger Stadium opened, famous Japanese sportswriter Sotaro Suzuki was so amazed by the new stadium he commissioned a Japanese garden built -- complete with wooden bridge, rock garden, and a stone lantern -- in the hills beyond the right field pavilion. The garden, which dates back to 1965, is now gated off and has fallen into disrepair over the last decade (thanks McCourt!) but the stone lantern remains. Rumor has it you can even see its light shining during night games.

The stadium has its own ZIPCode

Back in 2009 the USPS made Dodger Stadium the first-ever sports stadium in the country to have its own ZIP Code (90090), probably to handle the massive amounts of hate mail addressed to Frank McCourt. Interestingly enough, the ZIP Code area is officially designated as Dodgertown, USA, a term which fans are required by law to say in the voice of an old-timey 1930s radio announcer.

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Grilled Dodger DogsFTW

Wait... grilled? Not steamed? Yep. Seek out the way-more-flavorful char-grilled Dodger Dogs, which're only available at the stand right behind home plate on each level.

The Pope once held mass there

When PJP2 (Pope John Paul II) came to town in 1987, there wasn’t a church big enough to hold the swarms of Catholic followers who came to cheer on his Holiness. So mass was held at Dodger Stadium for 63,000 attendees, still the stadium’s largest crowd ever. Even weirder, they let Ricardo Montalban co-host, and thankfully he. Didn't. Try. To. Kill. The. Pope.

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You can eat lunch at Dodger Stadium when there's no game

On any day there isn’t an afternoon game, go to the stadium’s main gate and tell them you want to visit the team store. Drive up to parking lot P, park, walk right past the store through the open stadium gates, and take a seat in the upper deck overlooking a completely empty Dodger Stadium. Don’t worry, security isn’t going to tackle you. All this is totally legit. Just unwrap the Langer’s pastrami sandwich you brought with you and enjoy the view, with no one there to bother you.

Nancy Bea Hefley is one of the last remaining organists

Most baseball stadiums no longer have live organists, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, but one of the few exceptions is keyboard queen Nancy Bea Hefley, who has been rocking the pipes at Dodger Stadium since 1988. Though she plays less than she used to, you can still hear her iconic melodies and cheeky audio puns played before and after each game, during “Take Me out to the Ballgame,” and when a new pitcher comes in, which beats the hell of whatever lame Pitbull track most stadiums blast.

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There is a time capsule buried in the top deck

When the zombie apocalypse finally hits, you can rest assured that one piece of Dodger Stadium history will remain untouched. In 1962 the team buried a time capsule filled with memorabilia from the 1959 World Series (and Dodger Stadium's first-ever opening day) behind a metal plaque in the Top Deck. If you want to find it, just look for the penny-crushing souvenir machine -- it’s right next to it.

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The stadium's design was inspired by Tomorrowland

Architecture buffs know that Dodger Stadium is one of the largest examples of mid-century modernism in the country, and that’s due to the sweet, streamlined design envisioned by chief architect Captain Emil Praeger (cool name) and then Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley (notsomuch). Rumor has it that old man O’Malley was so blown away by Tomorrowland at his buddy Walt Disney’s park (the old Tomorrowland, BTW, not the current Jules Verne steampunk version) that he incorporated similar futuristic touches into his own “destination park.” He ended up having to scrap his dream of monorail trams though (seriously).

The best way to bring in food? The Chego Maneuver.

Philippe's, Mexicali, Eastside Market Deli -- these are all great places to pick up food before a game (saving your precious money for $11 beers at the game). But the Home Run King of them all is Chego, which offers a deal breaker... CURBSIDE PICKUP. Here’s the move: drive North on Hill St and pull up outside Far East Plaza to pick up your pre-ordered food. Then, head one block East to Broadway and go North to Solano Ave, then turn left. This will lead you to the totally under-used Academy Gate, which is way less gridlocked than any other entrance. Roy Choi Rice Bowls + Parking in Less Than 10 Minutes + Dodger Baseball = Magic.

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There have only been 17 rainouts since 1962

Even more crazy, from 1962 to 1976 the Dodgers were rained out only once. Then from April 1988 until April 1999, there were wasn’t a single rainout (for 11 years!). It’s still a major league record.

Except, once, the stadiumTOTALLY FLOODED

Remember how we just said it doesn’t rain at Dodger Stadium? Well, except that one time it did... a lot. In 1965 the entire stadium turned into a giant lake due to a massive rain storm that flooded both dugouts, the field, and the first couple rows of seats. And, yes, they made the batboy go swimming to save the team equipment.

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The world's most famous Peanut Man works there

Roger Owens knows how to throw his nuts around. For 57 years, the most famous vendor in Dodger Stadium has been tossing bags of peanuts with deadly behind-the-back accuracy, flashy showmanship, and lots of corny Dad jokes. He’s been on countless TV shows and had a book written about him, but he’s still out there every game slanging sacks. We once saw him clear 30 rows of seats with a single throw, no joke. Even more nuts: Dodger Stadium has FOUR OTHER peanut vendors who also have been working for 57 years.

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The high five was invented there

It’s October 2, 1977, and the Dodgers are battling the Houston Astros late in the season. Left fielder Dusty Baker (yes, that Dusty Baker) is at-bat, cracks a booming home run to help the Dodgers retake the lead, and as he rounds the bases with the crowd going nuts, his teammate Glen “King Kong” Burke runs up from the dugout, throws his palm up in the air to meet Baker’s and then... *EPIC HAND SLAP*. The first high-five ever recorded. The world of bros hasn't been the same since.

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You can get married on the field

$5,000 rents you home plate for the ceremony. $25,000 gets you the whole field. Or, if you feel like proposing during a game, you can pay $75 for a personalized message on the scoreboard banner, or shell out $2,500 to have the entire down-on-one-knee thing broadcast live on the Jumbotron.

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Even the palm trees are famous

No Dodgers TV broadcast is complete without a few gratuitous palm tree shots, especially the iconic “Three Sisters” -- a three-pronged trio of trees that sits behind the left field bullpen. The trees were actually uprooted and moved in 2014 to make room for bullpen renovations, but they were put back in their original location, where they're now standing as tall as ever.

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Garrett Snyder is a freelance writer and aspiring sabermetrics whiz based in Los Angeles. He's been a Dodger fan since moving to LA a decade ago, and still believes in Juan Pierre. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @G_sny.

15 Things You Never, Ever Knew About Dodger Stadium (2024)

FAQs

15 Things You Never, Ever Knew About Dodger Stadium? ›

With the construction of many new MLB ballparks in recent years, it is now the third-oldest park still in use, and the oldest on the West Coast. Dodger Stadium offered several innovative design features. One of these was a covered and screened section of dugout-level seats behind home plate.

What is special about Dodgers Stadium? ›

With the construction of many new MLB ballparks in recent years, it is now the third-oldest park still in use, and the oldest on the West Coast. Dodger Stadium offered several innovative design features. One of these was a covered and screened section of dugout-level seats behind home plate.

What are some interesting 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.

What is the 76 at Dodger Stadium? ›

The 76 ball is also a landmark at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where the only gas station on the premises of a major league ballpark is visible from the park beyond the outfield stands. The gas station is no longer active and has been converted into an event space.

What is the shady side of Dodger Stadium? ›

Dodger Stadium Orientation to the Sun

In the morning, the sun rises over right field, curves around home plate at lunchtime, and ultimately sets beyond the left field foul pole. This configuration makes the 3rd base line the “shade side” of the park and the 1st base line and outfield the sunny spots.

What stolen land was Dodgers Stadium built on? ›

Known today as Chavez Ravine, the 315 acres of land between the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles were once home to three predominantly Mexican American neighborhoods: Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop.

Why do the Dodgers have yellow seats? ›

Reserve Level represents the landscape all around the stadium with a sea foam green. Loge Level represents the sandy beaches of Southern California with it's light orange. Field Level represents the bright sunny days in Los Angeles with its yellow seats.

What was the Dodgers old name? ›

The Dodgers were founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Atlantics, borrowing the name of a defunct team that had played in Brooklyn before them. The team joined the American Association in 1884 and won the AA championship in 1889 before joining the National League in 1890.

Why do the Dodgers wear red numbers? ›

Also, a uniform manufacturer, most likely Rawlings, suggested the Dodgers used red numbers as a nod to the red baseball logo used on the team's letterhead. Also, red was suggested because it would be easier to see at a distance since the front numbers are considerably smaller than the blue back numbers.

Are kids free at Dodgers Stadium? ›

Child Tickets

Children 3 and under can enter the stadium free, provided they sit on a parent's or guardian's lap. Should the parent or guardian want a child aged 3 and under to have their own seat, a ticket must be purchased.

What is the nickname for Dodgers fans? ›

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Blue Crew – Reference to one of the team's colors. The Boys in Blue – Another reference to the team's primary color. Bleeding Dodger Blue – Avid fans.

What is the Dodgers dream team? ›

Dodgers Dreamteam is a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities who are experiencing social injustices.

What is Dodger Stadium called now? ›

Later years. During the years when the expansion Los Angeles Angels were tenants of the Dodgers (1962 through 1965), the Angels referred to the stadium as "Chavez Ravine Stadium" or simply "Chavez Ravine". Los Angeles City Council designated the property as "Dodgertown" in October 2008.

What is not allowed at Dodger Stadium? ›

Tailgating is not allowed at Dodger Stadium, but fans are allowed to bring outside food into the stadium during games, as long as it's in a clear plastic bag that is 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or smaller. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed, but you can bring sealed plastic bottles of water, one liter or less.

What is the area around Dodger Stadium called? ›

Before Dodger Stadium was a legendary baseball venue, it was known as Chavez Ravine. The area was home to generations of families, most of them Mexican American. "View of children playing in a fenced yard of a very dilapidated house." Courtesy Los Angeles Public Library: Housing Authority Collection.

Why are the Dodgers so famous? ›

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.

Is it worth going to a Dodgers game? ›

As a lifelong Dodger fan, I've attended games at Dodger Stadium for over 25 years, so I'm a little biased, but it's a really wonderful ballpark in a beautiful setting with lots of history and a great team on the field. The recent renovations are really fantastic.

What's new at Dodgers Stadium? ›

This offseason, the Dodgers replaced all Field Lights with LED Lights. Not only are the LED lights more energy efficient, but they also have color-changing abilities, enhancing the fan experience by utilizing the lights more creatively for on-field celebrations, concerts, etc.

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