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 L.A.
Wrigley Field
Los Angeles,
CA
Home of the L.A./Anaheim/California Angels for
one season, LA Wrigley Field was built as a minor league ballpark.
After the city of Los Angeles did not build parking facilities for
the minor league team Los Angeles Angels home, Washington Park,
owner William Wrigley Jr., decided to build a new ballpark. For his
team Wrigley
drew plans for a new ballpark that was very
similar to
Wrigley Field in Chicago. Construction began in 1924 and the
ballpark, named after Wrigley, opened on September 29, 1925. Lights
were installed on July 22, 1931.
L.A. Wrigley Field was home to Pacific Coast
League Los Angeles Angels for 33 years. The double decked grandstand
extended from the left field foul pole to home plate and around to
the right field foul pole. Bleachers and a scoreboard were located
in right field. The 15 foot high outfield wall was just like Wrigley
Field in Chicago with ivy growing on it. However, one feature made
LA Wrigley Field different from the one in Chicago. A twelve story
office tower was at the entrance of the ballpark. From the playing
field a clock was visible on the tower. The last PCL game was on
September 15, 1957. The ballpark remained empty until MLB awarded
the area an expansion franchise, the Angels, that became part of
the American League. The Angels played only one season at L.A. Wrigley Field,
1961, then moved into Dodger Stadium with the Los Angeles
Dodgers until 1965. The Angels moved into their own home,
Anaheim Stadium
in 1966. L.A. Wrigley Field was dismantled soon after and a playground now sits on the site.
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