On May 28th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1957 when the National League owners voted unanimously to allow the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants to move to Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively. This decision, known as the "Great Baseball Exodus," changed the landscape of Major League Baseball and marked the first time MLB franchises were located west of St. Louis.
The Dodgers, led by legendary player Jackie Robinson, who had broken baseball's color barrier just ten years earlier, played their final game at Ebbets Field on September 24, 1957. The team bid farewell to their beloved Brooklyn fans and headed to the sunny shores of Los Angeles, where they would eventually become known as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants, another storied franchise with a rich history in the Big Apple, said goodbye to the Polo Grounds and made their way to the Bay Area. They began playing at Seals Stadium in 1958 before moving to the newly constructed Candlestick Park in 1960, where they would play until 2000 when they moved to their current home, Oracle Park.
The relocation of these two iconic teams not only broke the hearts of many New York baseball fans but also paved the way for the expansion of Major League Baseball. It demonstrated that the sport could thrive in new markets and laid the groundwork for future team relocations and expansions.
The impact of this decision can still be felt today, as both the Dodgers and Giants have become integral parts of their respective cities' identities and have enjoyed tremendous success in their new homes. The Dodgers have won six World Series titles since moving to Los Angeles, while the Giants have captured three championships in San Francisco.
