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Built by Dodger owner Walter O'Malley in Chavez Ravine, overlooking downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium was the last baseball stadium constructed with team capital, and is one of the few modern stadiums to retain some of the atmosphere of smaller classic ballparks. Although it is large (56,000 capacity), Dodger Stadium was built exclusively for baseball, with the multi-decked grandstand extending along the foul lines to provide the best sight lines. The grandstand extends slightly beyond each foul pole before giving way to separate bleacher sections, called pavilions, in both left and right fields, distinctive for their unusual zigzag roofs. In the infield, Dodger Stadium offers some unique field-level box seats, which provide a dugout-level view of the game, and the infield dirt is a mixture of crushed brick and clay with an unusual reddish hue. The outfield fences are symmetrical, and the field is natural grass.

Originally, Dodger Stadium was home to both the Dodgers and the Angels, who called it Chavez Ravine to avoid publicizing their NL rivals, but the Angels moved to Anaheim in 1966, leaving the Dodgers as sole occupants. Deep power alleys (385') and substantial foul territory make Dodger Stadium a pitcher's park, and Dodger pitching staffs are routinely among the NL's best in ERA. In 1963 the unusually high mound was lowered five inches because it gave pitchers too much of an advantage. On September 9, 1965 Sandy Koufax pitched his then-record fourth no-hitter here, a 1-0 perfect game against the Cubs. Only two home runs have ever been hit completely out of the stadium, both by the Pirates' Willie Stargell.

Outside, Dodger Stadium is ringed with massive parking lots, reflecting its Southern California location, where all travel is done by freeway. The Dodgers routinely draw 40,000 fans to a game here, and were the first ML team ever to top three million in total attendance for one season. (SCL)