The Drive-In Ballpark



Looking at Albuquerque Stadium from across the street, Aug-1995.

Mountains, including Sandia Peak, rise in the outfield.

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Quick Facts: Rating: 3 baseballs
Albuquerque Sports Stadium, built in 1969, was the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top affiliate from 1972 to 2000. This tenure is admirable, but the Dodgers started to make waves because this park had become the second-oldest in the Pacific Coast League (behind Cheney Stadium in Tacoma).

While some disagreed, I thought the park was quite serviceable. I don’t recall any particular quirks, except that an area is visible here just left of center field where fans can park and watch the game from the parking lot.

Of course, it’s always nice to have mountain majesty rising in the outfield. Sandia Peak dominated the landscape here.

The Albuquerque franchise was transferred to Portland, Ore., in 2001. The Calgary, Alta., club moved to Albuquerque for 2003, after Albuquerque voters agreed to a plan to renovate the Sports Stadium, a job that lasted through the 2002 season. While the city called it a renovation, the entire structure was dismantled and a new stadium was actually rising in its place. Originally, the “drive-in” section was being retained, but it was eliminated in the final plans.


Game Date League Level Result
177 Tue 15-Aug-1995 Pacific Coast AAA Salt Lake 8, ALBUQUERQUE 7
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This page updated 11-Aug-2009