On April 18, 1958, the Los Angeles Dodgers played their first game in the city of Los Angeles, defeating the San Francisco Giants, 6-5, at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Whereas the Dodgers relocated from Brooklyn, the Giants moved to the West Coast from New York.
A crowd of 78,672 fans were on hand to witness the historic event, and the Dodgers held many pregame festivities to honor the occasion. The historic day started off with a parade rally, which began on the Spring Street steps of City Hall.
Droves of fans turned out to greet the Dodgers as they sat in cars without tops and made their way to the stadium. Former Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson welcomed former Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley.
O’Malley presented presented Poulson with the home plate from Ebbets Field. Poulson returned the favor by gifting O’Malley a California Bear flag that hung at the Coliseum during all Dodger games.
Carl Erskine allowed four runs on 10 hits and issued four walks over eight innings pitched against the Giants. He faced 37 batters and struck out eight to earn the victory.
From an offensive standpoint, Duke Snider went 2-for-5 with an RBI and run scored. Dick Gray, who belted a solo home run, finished 2-for-3 with the RBI, a walk and two runs scored. Charlie Neal also collected two hits in three at-bats, with an RBI and run scored.
The Dodgers spent four years playing in the Coliseum while they awaited for construction to complete on Dodger Stadium. During that time, the city of Los Angeles rallied around the team, supporting them with unprecedented numbers.
A crowd of 67,550 attended the Dodgers game on April 12, 1960, which set a Major League Baseball record for largest attendance for a night game.
April 18 also has another significant tie to the franchise, as that date in 1950 is also the first game that Vin Scully would call in his 67-year career.
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