Introduction to the Dodgers’ Offseason Renovations

The Dodgers’ Guggenheim ownership group bought the team in 2012, and one of its early hires was renowned sports architect Janet Marie Smith as executive vice president of planning and development. In her first couple of months on the job, one of her biggest tasks quickly became clear. The clubhouse, she recalled, still felt like a “1962 locker room” — from the shared batting cage and food room used by the home and road teams to the dilapidated dressing room that harked back to Dodger Stadium’s opening a half-century earlier.

Initial Renovations and the Need for More

So that first offseason, the team did some immediate renovations, updating the space with more modern features and expanding its footprint to a more spacious two-level design. A more complete reimagining of the space remained on the club’s bucket list. This winter, those visions finally became reality. When the Dodgers host the Detroit Tigers for their home opener, they will do so in the comfort of a brand-new clubhouse space, having completed an extensive renovation this offseason that centered on transforming the area players will call home for the next six months.

The Extent of the Renovations

In the space of just four months this winter, construction crews gutted the bowels of Dodger Stadium, digging deep trenches down the left and right field foul lines to build new, expanded clubhouse areas within the confines of Major League Baseball’s third-oldest ballpark. Fans take in the view as construction workers finish renovations during DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium last month. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) They have expanded weight, training, and food rooms. Their once-cramped locker room has been turned into a more spacious, luxurious setting. And, to the excitement of much of the team, a second batting cage has been installed, fitted with all the modern training technology in what the team hopes will serve as yet another boon to its superstar-laden roster.

Player Reactions

“That clubhouse was amazing,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said after getting his first look during the team’s Freeway Series exhibition game against the Angels. “Really crazy,” starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow added. “Everything was really nice.” “It’s hard to put into words,” echoed third baseman Max Muncy, one of the team’s longest-tenured players. “You get so used to something being there and you come in and you have no idea where you’re at. It’s really cool. It’s what you’d expect out of the Dodgers.”

The Challenges of Renovation

Because Dodger Stadium is built into a hillside in Chavez Ravine, Smith said the only way for the team to create new space was by digging deeper into the ground. “It would be impossible — and I don’t use that word casually — to go into the hillside to create the space for the clubhouse,” said Smith, whose decorated career includes leading jobs to build Camden Yards in Baltimore, transform Turner Field in Atlanta from a Summer Olympics venue into an MLB stadium, and renovate Fenway Park in Boston for a second century of use. Construction crews worked throughout the offseason to finish upgrades to the team’s clubhouse in time for the start of the 2025 season. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Planning and Execution

Planning for the project had taken shape over the last two years, with Smith soliciting input from president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and his front office, players, members of the coaching staff, and virtually anyone else who counts the clubhouse as their workplace on a daily basis. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the clubhouse who didn’t have some input on their area,” she said. “That’s been really helpful.” And through those conversations, the reality Smith first confronted a decade ago was only further crystallized as blueprints came together.

Conclusion

The Dodgers’ offseason renovations to their new home clubhouse are a significant upgrade, providing players with a more spacious, luxurious, and modern space. The expansion of the locker room, weight and training rooms, and the addition of a second batting cage are just a few of the notable changes. The team hopes that these improvements will have a positive impact on their performance and give them an edge in their World Series title defense.

FAQs

Q: What prompted the Dodgers to renovate their clubhouse?
A: The Dodgers’ clubhouse was outdated and felt like a "1962 locker room," prompting the need for renovations.
Q: How long did the renovation process take?
A: The renovation process took four months, which is a relatively short timeframe for a project of this scale.
Q: What are some of the notable changes to the clubhouse?
A: The expansion of the locker room, weight and training rooms, and the addition of a second batting cage are just a few of the notable changes.
Q: How do the players feel about the new clubhouse?
A: The players are impressed with the new clubhouse, with many commenting on how spacious and luxurious it is.
Q: What impact do the Dodgers hope the renovations will have on their performance?
A: The Dodgers hope that the renovations will give them an edge in their World Series title defense and improve their overall performance.