Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers
Architect and civil engineer Emil H. Praeger had a say in creating the concrete floating breakwater – known as “Phoenix” – for the Invasion of Normandy and even the renovations for the White House in 1949. But if you ask me, his greatest accomplishment was when he turned all 352 acres of Chavez Ravine into what is now known as Dodger Stadium. Saturday April 10, 2021 marks the 59-year anniversary of when 52,000 fans first arrived at the Taj Mahal of baseball stadiums to watch the Dodgers square off against the Cincinnati Reds.
Happy Birthday Dodger Stadium:
On April 10, 1962, "Blue Heaven on Earth" opened as the 1st privately financed ballpark in 39 years, entertaining over 52,000 fans against the Reds.
It signaled a new era in @Dodgers baseball with Koufax, Drysdale, Wills and more leading the way. pic.twitter.com/oNmbseuJAz
— Dodgers Archive (@DodgersArchive) April 10, 2021
The day included the typical weird events that reminds us now why this game has become America’s Pastime. Days prior to the first game, it rained so heavily that the Dodgers had to use jet engines to dry the field. Green vegetable dye was used to fill in for brown patches in the outfield, marking baseballs with a never before seen greenish-hue.
Dodgers pitching great Johnny Podres started the game, but took the loss after giving up five-earned runs, 11 hits and four walks in 7 ⅓ innings. The burgeoning Dodgers offense struggled against Reds knuckleballer Bob Purkey, who had to make an emergency start because the scheduled starter broke a nail on his pitching hand while trying to carry luggage. Purkey mowed through the Dodgers lineup giving up only two-earned runs in 7 ⅓ innings. However, a loss in April couldn’t have felt more insignificant because baseball in Los Angeles finally had a permanent home.
“The most gorgeous thing I’ve seen in my life,” said Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills. “The infield is perfect. It’s nice and firm and true. It’s bound to get better, too.”
Even Reds shortstop Eddie Kasko was in awe of the creation.
“The beautiful new stadium should be a tremendous psychological lift for the Dodgers,” said Kasko. “Like every other club in the National League this year, the Dodgers have their problems, but they’ll be going all out every game and I can understand why. They won’t want to leave.”
The praise was music to the ears of owner Walter O’Malley, who didn’t sleep for a month leading up to April 10, as he had worked tirelessly for years to make his dream a reality.
As a sign from an era long forgotten, the $23 million it took to purchase the stadium is now a notch above current closer Kenley Jensen’s base salary. While Dodger Stadium has gone through countless of renovations since 1962, it will always be the location where five different World Series Championship teams played and “Blue Heaven on Earth.”
When Dodgers Lowdown writer @Mattweiner20 isn’t blabbering about the Dodgers, he’s most likely yelling at his TV because of them.