History of Tokyo Dome (~2005)

Third Period: Transformational Period 1965-1987

1965
(1965)

The Toei Flyers (later the Nittaku Home Flyers and then the Nippon-Ham Fighters) make Korakuen their franchise.

1966
(1966)

Korakuen Stadium changes its infield diamond to Tifton turf.

1969
(1969)
October

Giants' Masaichi Kaneda achieves his 400th career win in the game against Chunichi at Korakuen Stadium.

[Photo]

He achieved his 400th career win and was hoisted in celebration.
Masaichi Kaneda

1970
(1970)
April 1st

Baseball bleachers were expanded and a fully illuminated scoreboard was completed.

1974
(1974)
April

This will be the first game at Korakuen since Nittaku became the Nippon Ham Fighters.

October

Shigeo Nagashima's retirement ceremony was held at Korakuen.
He left behind the famous words, "I retire today, but our Giants will remain immortal forever."

[Photo]

Shigeo Nagashima's retirement ceremony

1975
(1975)
March

Kawakami Tetsuharu's retirement match will be held at Korakuen.

[Photo]

Tetsuharu Kawakami's retirement match

1976
(1976)
March

Korakuen installs Japan's first artificial turf and begins renting out the grounds to the public.

October

Sadaharu Oh hits his 715th home run in a game against the Hanshin Tigers at Korakuen Stadium, surpassing Babe Ruth's record.

1977
(1977)
September

Sadaharu Oh hits his 756th home run at Korakuen Stadium, setting a new world record.

[Photo]

Sadaharu Oh gives a speech after breaking the world record for career home runs

[Photo]

Sadaharu Oh cheers after hitting his 756th career home run

1980
(1980)
April

Miss Relief Car is employed.

November

Sadaharu Oh's retirement ceremony was held at Korakuen. Oh was appointed assistant manager of the Giants.

[Photo]

Sadaharu Oh's retirement ceremony

1981
(1981)
March

Aurora Vision completed at Korakuen.

October

The first Korakuen Japan Series was held, with the Giants facing off against the Nippon Ham Fighters.

[Photo]

Managers Genji Fujita and Keiji Osawa shake hands before their first series at the same stadium.

1987
(1987)
November

To celebrate the construction of the dome, a "Goodbye Korakuen Stadium" event was held.

[Photo]

Korakuen Stadium back screen

[Photo]

Demolition of a 50-year-old Baseball stadium

History of Tokyo Dome (~2005)

Tokyo Dome official SNS