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Glam Monitor

Why did Brooklyn Dodgers leave New York?

Author

Ava Wright

Updated on July 05, 2026

Both teams were definitely motivated by money, as any profit earning business should be. Prior to and during the 1957 season, the Giants and Dodgers both cited financial problems as the main motivation for leaving New York! For some, this claim is hard to swallow, especially from the side of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Why did the Brooklyn Dodgers move to California?

Despite the team's enduring popularity in Brooklyn—they finished first or second in NL attendance in seven of the nine seasons between 1949 and 1957—team owner Walter O'Malley moved the franchise to Los Angeles in 1958 in order to capitalize on the financial windfall that was likely to come from Major League Baseball's ...

What happened to Brooklyn Dodgers?

The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team, active primarily in the National League (founded 1876) from 1884 until 1957, after which the club moved to Los Angeles, California, where it continues its history as the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When did the Dodgers leave Brooklyn New York?

On May 28, 1957, Major League Baseball's National League voted to allow the Brooklyn Dodgers to move to Los Angeles. It's been 61 years since that day of baseball infamy, which later allowed the New York Giants to depart for San Francisco, but the anger of longtime fans of “Dem Bums” remains.

Why did the Dodgers leave Brooklyn for sunny California?

He saw driving as the future of New York transportation, and he wanted to move the Dodgers to Queens, near the site that became Shea Stadium -- publicly owned land that would create far fewer traffic jams than downtown Brooklyn.

35 related questions found

Why did they tear down Ebbets Field?

Ebbets Field was demolished to make room for apartment buildings that would be named after the ballpark. But after almost sixty years, the apartment complex, like the ballpark it is named after, is also dealing with an owner that is not willing to maintain it well.

When did Brooklyn move to LA?

On May 28, 1957, National League owners vote unanimously to allow the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers to move to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, at the mid-season owner's meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

How many baseball teams did New York have at one time?

The number of cities that have a Major League Baseball team is limited, but New York had the luxury of having three teams from 1947-1957. Long-time baseball fans know there have been a number of great eras (and ERAs) throughout the history of the game.

When did Braves move to Atlanta?

Moving to Atlanta

After a series of court battles, injunctions and appeals, the team finally arrived in Atlanta in 1966. They were welcomed with a parade and quickly grew comfortable in their new home, Atlanta Stadium. It only took a few years for the Braves to return to their winning ways.

Does Brooklyn still have a baseball team?

The Brooklyn Cyclones are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, and play at Maimonides Park, just off the Coney Island Boardwalk.

Did the LA Dodgers used to be the Brooklyn Dodgers?

After 68 seasons in Brooklyn, Dodgers owner and president Walter O'Malley relocated the franchise to Los Angeles before the 1958 season. The team played their first four seasons at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before moving to their current home of Dodger Stadium in 1962.

Who moved first Dodgers or Giants?

The New York Giants won the 68-year series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, 721–670–17. But since relocating to the West Coast in 1958, the Dodgers are ahead in the games played between the two teams, 577–548.

When did the A's move to Oakland?

History. The history of the Athletics Major League Baseball franchise spans the period from 1901 to the present day, having begun in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City in 1955 and then to its current home in Oakland, California, in 1968.

When did Angels move to LA?

The team was renamed the California Angels in 1965. In 1966, after five seasons in Los Angeles—which included a winning year in just their second season of play—they relocated to nearby Anaheim. Do you think you know about baseball?

Did New York ever have 3 MLB teams?

The last time New York had three baseball teams was in 1957. Way before the Mets had their fans wearing paper bags over their heads, NY was home to the Giants and Dodgers. There were many battles between the three as at times, the Giants owned the Yankees and the Yankees owned the Dodgers (some say they still do).

Did NY have 3 baseball teams?

It was also the Golden Age of Baseball, and without question, New York City was the capital. The city featured three major league teams and they were all among the best of the sixteen teams that made up the American and National Leagues at that time.

When did NY Giants move to San Francisco?

Despite those high points, attendance at the Giants' now legendary home, the Polo Grounds, lagged as the team continued to play in the Yankees' shadow, so the franchise relocated to San Francisco in 1958, at the same time that the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

How do Dodgers travel?

The majority is by plane. Teams can travel by bus if the most direct route between the two cities is 200 miles. Anything longer than this must involve air travel — and all flights must be nonstop.

What other team also left New York and moved to California the same year?

1957, National League Baseball owners voted unanimously to let both the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocate to California. The teams had to move together or not at all, and by October 1957 both had announced their moves.

What was wrong with Ebbets Field?

In the late 1940s and early 1950s Ebbets Field became structurally unsound, the plumbing was bad, had a small capacity and narrow aisles. It was also constrained by its location and the community was in decline. As fans moved out of Brooklyn they wanted to drive to the ballpark.

What is the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball?

The oldest MLB ballpark is the home field of the Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park. Officially opened in 1912, this stadium is still operating to this day. Via this article, let's take a closer look at the list of old MLB stadiums!
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1. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)

  • City: Boston.
  • Capacity: 37,755.
  • Date Opened: April 20, 1912.

Are the Polo Grounds still standing?

Polo Grounds was demolished on April 10, 1964. Several 30 story housing projects are located on the site where Polo Grounds was located. A plaque commemorates where the ballpark was once stood. The only other reminder of Polo Grounds is the John T.