The Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason have staged a pop-up museum inside a team store on the reserve level at Dodger Stadium. The theme is “60 Years in L.A.,” an ode to the team’s time in the city since relocating from Brooklyn.
The museum features memorabilia on loan from the Baseball Hall of Fame, items from the private collections of Gary Cypres, Richard Levy and the O’Malley Family, as well as rarely-seen items from Dodgers archives.
Displays highlight careers of Fernando Valenzuela, Don Drysdale and Steve Garvey. Jerseys of famed former Dodgers, including Ron Cey, Davey Lopes and Bob Welch are arranged in one area of the museum and surrounded by newspaper clippings and enlarged versions of classic magazine covers.
Arguably the most momentous item on display is a shovel that was used by Walter O’Malley during the groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Dodger Stadium in September 1959. It’s estimated 3,000 fans attended the event.
Prior to playing their first game at Dodger Stadium in April 1962, the Dodgers spent four seasons calling the Los Angeles Coliseum their home.
The O’Malley family is further represented by a collection of five Los Angeles championship rings being put on display for the first time. O’Malley contributed his World Series rings from 1959, 1961 ad 1963, while 1981 and 1988 rings were provided by former team president Peter O’Malley.
For as much as the museum makes for a nostalgic experience, the current era and future of the franchise is highlighted. A prime example is the display case in honor of the unanimous 2017 National League Rookie of the Year winner, Cody Bellinger.
His game-worn jersey from the night Bellinger hit his first career home run is accompanied by a bat, batting gloves, helmet and lineup cards from the games Bellinger tied the franchise record for most homers by a rookie, and broke the all-time NL rookie mark.
The 2017 Dodgers team that won an MLB-best and Los Angeles franchise record 104 games, is further recognized with bases, lineup cards and photographs from their National League Division Series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a separate collection for the NL Championship Series.
Tied into their NLCS victory against the Chicago Cubs but roped off in a different section is the trophy the Dodgers received for the NL pennant, their first since 1988.
Like last offseason, the Dodgers have done a tremendous job of presenting a museum that resonates with fans who have followed the team for multiple decades, and the younger generation.
The museum will be accompanied by a speaker series, with more information to be announced at a later date. Tickets for the museum, which runs through March 4, 2018, are available now at Dodgers.com/Museum.
Admission is $10, and fans can also purchase tickets in person at the museum doors. Fans joining a Stadium Tour on open exhibit dates will have the opportunity to visit the museum for an additional $3.
Dodger Stadium tour information can be found at Dodgers.com/Tours. Along with the traditional tour, the Dodgers are also offering a VIP experience by way of a clubhouse tour.
The Dodgers’ pop-up museum is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 15-17, Dec. 22-24, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 2-7, Jan. 12-15, Jan. 19-21, Jan. 26 and 28, Feb. 2-4, Feb. 9-11, Feb. 16-19, Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4.
