Kingdome
From SoSH
| Location: | Seattle, WA |
| Opened: | March 27, 1976 |
| Owner: | King County |
| Surface: | AstroTurf |
| Architect: | Naramore, Skilling, & Praeger |
| Current Capacity: | 59,166 (baseball) |
| Build Cost: | $67,000,000 |
| Tenants: | Seattle Seahawks (NFL) (1976-1999) Seattle Sounders (NASL) (1976-1983) Seattle Mariners (MLB) (1977-1999) Seattle SuperSonics (NBA) (1978-1985) |
Contents |
Stadium History
When he was considering taking the Kansas City Athletics to Seattle, owner Charles O. Finley told the city that they would need a new ballpark if they wanted a Major League Baseball franchise. The team managed to land the expansion Seattle Pilots for the 1969 season, but could not hold onto them given the limits of attendance and comfort available in the outdated Sick's Stadium. The voters of Seattle approved the Kingdome prior to the arrival of the Pilots, but the park was not completed before the team went bankrupt and left for Milwaukee. The city sued MLB for the removal of the Pilots and was awarded the Seattle Mariners in 1977 in exchange for dropping the suit.
The Mariners' most memorable game in the Kingdome was on October 8, 1995 in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Trailing by a run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Jack McDowell, Joey Cora hit a weak bunt single, followed by a ground ball up the middle off the bat of Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez followed with a line drive double to score both Cora and Griffey, sending the Mariners to the American League Championship Series for the first time in their history.
Part of the Kingdome's roof collapsed in 1994, signaling officials that the Mariners and Seahawks needed new facilities. When the teams were awarded Safeco Field and Qwest Field, respectively, it was clear there was no further use for the Kingdome. The park was demolished by implosion live on ESPN Classic in 2000. Qwest Field occupies the site, with Safeco located just to the south.
Trivia
- Site of the 1979 MLB All-Star Game.
- Site of the 1977 NFL Pro Bowl.
- Site of Gaylord Perry's 300th career victory, as well as no-hitters by Randy Johnson and and Chris Bosio.
- The Kingdome hosted the first pair of father/son teammates when Ken Griffey Jr. and his father played the outfield together on August 31, 1990.
Field Dimensions
| Left Field | Left Center | Center Field | Right Center | Right Field |
| 331' | 376' | 405' | 380' | 312' |
Wall Height
| Left Field | Center Field | Right Field |
| 11.5' | 11.5' | 23.25' |
External Links
