The Best Moments in the History of Dodger Stadium

The iconic Dodger Stadium opened in 1962.

Since then, this popular ballpark has hosted several Major League Baseball games and has been visited by famous public figures, such as Pope John Paul II and the Beatles.

A few key moments in the ballpark’s history stand out as the best.

Here’s a look at seven of them.

The Kirk Gibson Home Run Hit

The World Series is the highlight of the baseball season for many fans. During the 1988 World Series, an exceptional moment occurred in Dodger Stadium on October 15. During the bottom of the ninth inning, when the Dodgers were trailing the Oakland Athletics 4-3, Kirk Gibson entered the game as a pinch-hitter and took the count to 3-2 against future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley.

On the next pitch, he hit a home run over the right-field fence, helping himself and his teammate, Mike Davis, score. The Dodgers went on to win their sixth franchise World Series title.

Anniversary Home Run

On October 15, 2017, 29 years after Kirk Gibson clinched the first game of the 1988 World Series with a spectacular home run-winning hit, a similar situation occurred.

During the second game of the National League championship series, Dodgers Justin Turner was up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning and hit a home run, which won the game. The hit sparked memories of the iconic home run years earlier for many fans, who immediately cheered the action.

Fernando Valenzuela Makes His Pitching Debut

As the Dodger’s number three starting pitcher, top-notch pitching was not expected from Fernando Valenzuela. This attitude would change after April 19, 1981, when he made his pitching debut.

He went on to win his first eight games, had five shutouts, and played seven complete games with a 0.50 ERA. He also became the only player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season.

Mike Piazza Hits a Home Run Out of Dodger Stadium

While hitting a home run in Dodger Stadium is exciting for fans, Mike Piazza did one better by hitting a home run out of the stadium.

He is still the only Dodger to have completed this feat. Four other players from other MLB teams have also hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium.

Clayton Kershaw’s No-Hitter

Pitching a no-hitter is challenging for a pitcher, to achieve. On June 18, 2014, Clayton Kershaw wowed fans in Dodger Stadium by completing this feat.

It was the first time an MLB pitcher had thrown a no-hitter with no walks. After the game, many members of the press claimed it was the best pitching performance they’d ever seen.

Throwing a Perfect Game

Another key moment in Dodger Stadium history occurred on September 9, 1965, when Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game.

The Dodger’s opponent, the Chicago Cubs, failed to get 27 consecutive batters on base. At that time, Koufax became the eighth pitcher ever to throw a perfect game.