Veterans Stadium was demolished 20 years ago today

Amber Charnoff
·6 min read

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) – Exactly 20 years ago today on March 21, 2004 Veterans Stadium, which was once home to the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, was demolished.

The Phillies and Eagles both originally played in Connie Mack Stadium (formerly Shibe Park). The Eagles eventually moved to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. In 1964, the location to make a multi-purpose stadium for both teams was approved.

The name, Philadelphia Veterans Stadium, was approved in 1970, in large part due to petitions by multiple local veterans organizations. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 2, 1967.

The 62,000-seat stadium opened on April 10, 1971, with the first game being between the Phillies and the Montreal Expos. There were 55,352 in attendance for Veterans Stadium’s first game, and the Phillies won 4-1. The Eagles played their first game inside the stadium on Sept. 26, 1971, against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles had a 141-110-2 record (6-3 in playoffs) at the Vet. The Phillies went 1,415-1,199-3 while playing at Veterans Stadium and earned a World Series Championship in 1980.

Veterans Stadium moments:

  • San Francisco 49ers’ Carl Monroe scrambles to evade a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles’ Jody Schulz during first quarter NFL action at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium on Sept. 23, 1984. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
    San Francisco 49ers’ Carl Monroe scrambles to evade a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles’ Jody Schulz during first quarter NFL action at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium on Sept. 23, 1984. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
  • Philadelphia Phillies Pete Rose greets teammate Tony Perez in the dugout after Perez scored on a double by Garry Maddox in the fifth inning of play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Aug. 9, 1983. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
    Philadelphia Phillies Pete Rose greets teammate Tony Perez in the dugout after Perez scored on a double by Garry Maddox in the fifth inning of play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Aug. 9, 1983. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
  • Willie Mays Aikens, Royals first baseman, is congratulated by teammate George Brett after stroking a second home run against the Phillies in first World Series game at Veterans stadium in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1980. Despite his effort, the Royals went down to defeat, 7-6. (AP Photo)
    Willie Mays Aikens, Royals first baseman, is congratulated by teammate George Brett after stroking a second home run against the Phillies in first World Series game at Veterans stadium in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1980. Despite his effort, the Royals went down to defeat, 7-6. (AP Photo)
  • Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Bill Buckner dives safely back to first base beating the throw to Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tony Perez during the first inning of National League play at Veterans stadium in Philadelphia, Monday, April 18, 1983. First base umpire Bob Engel appears at right. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
    Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Bill Buckner dives safely back to first base beating the throw to Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tony Perez during the first inning of National League play at Veterans stadium in Philadelphia, Monday, April 18, 1983. First base umpire Bob Engel appears at right. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
  • Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Kevin Stocker turns a double play on Toronto Blue Jays’ Pat Borders and gets Juan Guzman out at first after his bunt in the third inning of Game 5 of the World Series, in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Oct. 21, 1993. (AP Photo/George Widman)
    Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Kevin Stocker turns a double play on Toronto Blue Jays’ Pat Borders and gets Juan Guzman out at first after his bunt in the third inning of Game 5 of the World Series, in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Oct. 21, 1993. (AP Photo/George Widman)
  • Philadelphia Phillies’ Bo Diaz slides home with Baltimore Orioles’ catcher Rick Dempsey running behind him during Game 4 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Oct. 15, 1983, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. (AP Photo)
    Philadelphia Phillies’ Bo Diaz slides home with Baltimore Orioles’ catcher Rick Dempsey running behind him during Game 4 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Oct. 15, 1983, at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. (AP Photo)
  • Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randal Cunningham is sacked by St. Louis Cardinals’ Freddie Joe Nunn for a six yard loss during first quarter action of NFL game at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Nov. 22, 1987. (AP Photo/George Widman)
    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randal Cunningham is sacked by St. Louis Cardinals’ Freddie Joe Nunn for a six yard loss during first quarter action of NFL game at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Nov. 22, 1987. (AP Photo/George Widman)
  • Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randal Cunningham highsteps his way to an eighteen yard gain and a first down at Los Angeles Rams’ Fred Strickland tries to tackle him during third quarter NFL action at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Nov. 6, 1988. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randal Cunningham highsteps his way to an eighteen yard gain and a first down at Los Angeles Rams’ Fred Strickland tries to tackle him during third quarter NFL action at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Nov. 6, 1988. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

The stadium used Astroturf, which started to wear down in the early 1980s. The field started to cause injuries and a 2001 preseason Eagles game scheduled against the Baltimore Ravens was canceled because of field conditions.

The Eagles moved to Lincoln Financial Field in 2003 and the Phillies moved to Citizens Bank Park in 2004 following the 2003 MLB season. The last game inside Veterans Stadium was held on Sept. 28, 2003, with Atlanta topping the Phillies 5-2.

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After the game, there was a goodbye ceremony held at the stadium with former players and popular Philadelphia sports players making appearances. Everything inside the stadium was sold off, including over 10,000 seats.

On March 21, 2004 Veterans Stadium was demolished, imploding in 62 seconds, as players, coaches and fans looked on.

Today, the site of Veterans Stadium is a parking lot for Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Ballpark. There are ceremonial markers and historical signage in and around the lot that memorialize the stadium.

Hall of Fame MLB players who played inside Veterans Stadium:

  • Jim Bunning

  • Ryne Sandberg

  • Steve Carlton

  • Mike Schmidt

  • Joe Morgan

  • Tony Perez

  • Jim Kaat

  • Scott Rolen

Veterans Stadium through the years:

  • This aerial view shows Philadelphia’s new Veterans Stadium during a baseball game on opening day on April 10, 1971. The $50-million stadium is home to the Philadelphia Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles. At center is the Spectrum indoor arena and at far left is the JFK Stadium. The Philadelphia U.S. Navy Yard can be seen along the incomplete Delaware Expressway in background. (AP Photo)
  • A Veteran Stadium employed uses a high pressure washer to clean seats in the stands in preparation for Fridays National League playoff game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 7, 1977, Philadelphia, Pa. (AP Photo)
    A Veteran Stadium employed uses a high pressure washer to clean seats in the stands in preparation for Fridays National League playoff game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 7, 1977, Philadelphia, Pa. (AP Photo)
  • Phillie’ Jay Johnstone wears an umbrella hat as grounds crew pull tarp onto field at Veteran Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 8, 1977 in Philadelphia. Rain delayed some of pregame workouts before Phillies play Los Angeles Dodgers at National League playoffs. (AP Photo)
    Phillie’ Jay Johnstone wears an umbrella hat as grounds crew pull tarp onto field at Veteran Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 8, 1977 in Philadelphia. Rain delayed some of pregame workouts before Phillies play Los Angeles Dodgers at National League playoffs. (AP Photo)
  • This is the scene in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium during ceremonies for the first game of the 1980 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals in Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
    This is the scene in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium during ceremonies for the first game of the 1980 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals in Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 1980. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
  • Team members of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves line the base paths as a giant flag stretches across the outfield before the National Anthem at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Oct. 6, 1993. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
    Team members of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves line the base paths as a giant flag stretches across the outfield before the National Anthem at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Oct. 6, 1993. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
  • 16 Apr 2000: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Montreal Expos and the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Expos 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
    16 Apr 2000: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Montreal Expos and the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Expos 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
  • A commemorative box containing artificial turf from Veterans Stadium sells for $20 a box at the “Final Pieces” Veterans Stadium Memorabilia Auction and Sale at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia Friday, Feb. 6, 2004. Veterans Stadium, home to the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971, is scheduled to be demolished in the Spring. The Phillies will begin play in the new Citizens Bank Park this season. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)
  • Mike DiMuzio, left, Phillies director of ballpark operations, and Jim Santoro, demolition project manager, oversee final preparations at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium Wednesday, March 17, 2004, for its impending implosion. The stadium, home to Philadelphia sports teams from 1971-2003, will be imploded Sunday, March 21. The process will take about 58 seconds. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
  • Riggers examine Veterans Stadium’s “Liberty Bell” after is was removed from the stadium in Philadelphia, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004. The bell will be placed in storage until a decision is made about what to do with it, the team said. Veterans Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971, is slated for demolition in the spring. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

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