Dennis Martínez National Stadium

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Dennis Martinez National Stadium

Dennis Martínez National Stadium (Spanish: Estadio Nacional Dennis Martínez) is located in Managua, Nicaragua. It was named after former MLB player Dennis Martínez.

1 Dennis Martínez National Stadium
- 1.1 Renaming
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Dennis Martínez National Stadium

The stadium was built in 1948 and is the Nicaragua's national stadium. It is used mainly for baseball but also serves as a venue for concerts, football, religious events and has a capacity of 30,100 people.^[1] Inside the stadium is a hall of fame near the entrance showing medals, cups, photos and memories of Nicaraguan players. There is also a gym located inside.^[2]

[edit] Renaming

The stadium has been renamed quite a few times.^[3] Originally it was named "El Estadio Nacional" (The National Stadium), after the 1972 earthquake that struck Managua and destroyed 90% of the city, it was rebuilt and renamed after Anastasio Somoza García. When the Sandinistas regained power and overthrew the Somoza political dynasty in 1979 it was again renamed. The Sandinistas renamed it after Rigoberto López Pérez,^[4] the man who assassinated Anastasio Somoza García. Some time in the last few years the stadium was renamed in honor of Dennis Martinez,^[5] the country's first baseball player to play in Major League Baseball and pitch the 13th perfect game in major league history.^[6]