A sold-out Joe Robbie Stadium plays host to the Yankees and the Orioles exhibition game, which draws 67,654 fans, a spring training attendance record
On March 30, 1991 — A sold-out Joe Robbie Stadium plays host to the Yankees and the Orioles exhibition game, which draws 67,654 fans, a spring training attendance record. The two-day series between the AL East rivals is part of South Florida’s efforts to be awarded a National League expansion team.
“It is very impressive that a community can do that,” Orioles general manager Roland Hemond said. “They are to be commended for responding so well.”
A look back at Spring Training past. This is a pre-#Marlins look at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1991 as it hosted an Easter weekend set between the New York Yankees & Baltimore Orioles. Notable differences at JRS was the lack of a Teal Monster & 335 feet to left instead of 330’. #MLB pic.twitter.com/1hQQlk2jUv
— Marlins Historian (@MarlinsHistory) February 28, 2021
fun facts:
* The crowd was not the largest exhibition crowd in baseball history. The Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers drew 93,103 to a benefit game for injured catcher Roy Campanella May 7, 1959, but that was during the regular season.
* The crowd count last night was larger than the all-time record home crowd of 12 of the 14 American League teams. Only the Cleveland Indians and the Yankees have drawn more for a single game.
* The crowd exceeds the Orioles’ total spring training attendance for each of their first 20 seasons in Miami. The club drew more in 1989, but only because that exhibition season included games at Joe Robbie Stadium.
* Retired Orioles groundskeeper Pat Santarone was brought in to help prepare the field for the two-game series. The stadium used to have sliding cutouts for the bases and home plate. Now the infield is configured like a typical natural grass stadium.
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