The forgotten art carved into Dodger Stadium’s concrete

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, September 30. You can expect relatively pleasant weather in the low 80s before the beginning of yet another heatwave.

Baseball fans and architecture critics alike would describe Dodger Stadium, Major League Baseball's third-oldest ballpark, as a mid-century work of art. It could also be considered a de facto art museum, where fans can view Dodgers-inspired artistic expressions in several mediums: bronze statues, music, and even fashion.

But one of its more mysterious artworks is a series of abstract bas-relief structures scattered all over the stadium. From massive, multi-story murals lining the top deck’s walls to smaller panels above certain field level entrances, these concrete creations are everywhere. But there are no plaques or signs giving any context to these pieces. It can be a little hard to make out what they depict. And it turns out even the Dodger organization doesn’t know much about them. 

In his first piece for L.A. Material, contributor Nate Rogers solves the L.A. Mystery behind these cement murals, hunting down the forgotten details of their creation. Reading his piece will make you see Dodger Stadium in a whole new light.