Dolphin Stadium
From BR Bullpen
Home of the Florida Marlins from 1993 to present
(also known as Joe Robbie Stadium, 1987 to 1996, and Pro Player Stadium, 1996 to 2005)
BUILT: 1987
CAPACITY: 56,000
FIRST GAME: April 5, 1993, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Marlins 6, Dodgers 3)
- Charlie Hough (W) vs. Orel Hershiser (L), Bryan Harvey (Sv); HR: Tim Wallach
- First Hit: Bret Barberie
- First Double: Eric Davis
- First Triple: Walt Weiss
- First HR: Wallach
- First Run: Benito Santiago
- First RBI: Weiss
HIGH SEASON ATTENDANCE: 3,064,847 (1993)
LOW SEASON ATTENDANCE: 813,118 (2002)
LONGEST HOME RUN: 529 ft. by Andres Galarraga in 1997
OTHER OCCUPANTS: Miami Dolphins (NFL), 1987 to present
Dolphin Stadium (originally known as Joe Robbie Stadium and later called Pro Player Stadium) opened as the home for the NFL's Miami Dolphins in August 1987. From 1988 to 1992, the park was used as the site of some spring training games before the expansion Florida Marlins began play in 1993. The park features a pitcher's mound that can be raised and lowered below the field, helping in the park's conversion from baseball to football. In addition, the second deck outfield seats are covered by canvas and not used for baseball. The stadium's parking facilities include space for 14,970 cars and 254 buses plus a helipad.
All of the Marlins owners from Wayne Huizenga to John Henry to Jeffrey Loria have attempted to secure government financing to build a baseball-only facility to replace Dolphin Stadium, but government leaders have balked at the moves. After the 2005 season, Loria announced that without a new ballpark, the Marlins would leave Florida. A deal for anew stadium was finally reached early in 2008.
Dolphin Stadium has hosted two World Series champions, in 1997 and 2003, which puts it in elite company among stadiums.
It was named for a time after Pro Player, Inc., a jersey and hat manufacturer; the company declared bankruptcy in 1999 but the name was kept for a number of years afterwards. In 2005, Huizenga (still the owner of the Dolphins) announced the stadium would change its name to Dolphin Stadium.
| Current ballparks in Major League Baseball | ||
| National League | American League | |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Park | Busch Stadium | Chase Field | Citi Field | Citizens Bank Park | Coors Field | Dodger Stadium | Dolphin Stadium | Great American Ball Park | Miller Park | Minute Maid Park | Nationals Park | PETCO Park | PNC Park | Turner Field | Wrigley Field | Ameriquest Field | Angel Stadium of Anaheim | The Coliseum | Comerica Park | Fenway Park | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Kauffman Stadium | New Yankee Stadium | Oriole Park at Camden Yards | Progressive Field | Rogers Centre | Safeco Field | Tropicana Field | U.S. Cellular Field | |
