The Drive-In Ballpark

Looking at Albuquerque Stadium from across the street, Aug-1995.

Mountains, including Sandia Peak, rise in the outfield.

Chronological Tour: Stop 84

• Location: Avenida Cesar Chavez (off I-25), Albuquerque, N.M.
• Opened: 1969
• Closed: 2000
• Demolished: 2001
• Home team: Albuquerque Dodgers, Texas League (1969-71), Pacific Coast League (1972-74); Albuquerque Dukes, Pacific Coast League (1975-2000)
• Capacity: 10,510

Rating: 3 baseballs

While some disagreed, I thought the park was quite serviceable. I don’t recall any particular quirks, except that an area is visible here just left of center field where fans can park and watch the game from the parking lot.

Of course, it’s always nice to have mountain majesty rising in the outfield. Sandia Peak dominated the landscape here.

The Albuquerque franchise was transferred to Portland, Ore., in 2001. The Calgary, Alta., club moved to Albuquerque for 2003, after Albuquerque voters agreed to a plan to renovate the Sports Stadium, a job that lasted through the 2002 season. While the city called it a renovation, the entire structure was dismantled and a new stadium was actually rising in its place. Originally, the “drive-in” section was being retained, but it was eliminated in the final plans.