Los Angeles Dodgers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Los Angeles Dodgers |
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 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers season |
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| Major league affiliations | |||||
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| Major league titles | |||||
| World Series titles (8) |
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| NL Pennants (25) |
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| AA Pennants (1) | 1889 | ||||
| West Division titles (22) |
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| Chronicle-Telegraph Cup (1) |
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| Wild card berths (3) |
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| Front office | |||||
| Principal owner(s) | Guggenheim Baseball Management Mark Walter (chairman) |
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| President | Stan Kasten | ||||
| President of baseball operations | Andrew Friedman | ||||
| General manager | Brandon Gomes | ||||
| Manager | Dave Roberts | ||||
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team from Los Angeles. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League's West Division. The team started in Brooklyn, New York, in 1883. They joined the National League in 1890. Over the years, they had different names before becoming the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932.
From the 1940s to the mid-1950s, the Dodgers had a big rivalry with the New York Yankees. They played each other seven times in the World Series. The Dodgers lost the first five times but finally won their first championship in 1955. In 1947, the Dodgers made history when Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in Major League Baseball since 1884. This was a huge step for civil rights. In 1956, Don Newcombe became the first player to win both the Cy Young Award and the NL MVP in the same year.
After 68 seasons in Brooklyn, the team moved to Los Angeles before the 1958 season. They played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for four years. In 1962, they moved to their current home, Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers quickly found success in Los Angeles, winning the 1959 World Series. They continued to win in the 1960s with star pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. These pitchers helped them win titles in 1963 and 1965.
In 1981, a new pitcher from Mexico, Fernando Valenzuela, became very popular. He led the team to another championship. He is the only player to win both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. The Dodgers won again in 1988, surprising many by beating stronger teams. They were the only team to win multiple titles in the 1980s.
After 1988, the Dodgers had a long wait for another championship. Even though they made the playoffs many times, they didn't win the World Series for 32 years. This drought ended when they won the 2020 World Series. In 2024, the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani, a global baseball star. He helped the team set new records and win their eighth World Series title that season.
The Dodgers are one of the most successful teams in MLB history. They have won eight World Series championships and a record 25 National League pennants. Many great players have won awards while playing for the Dodgers. This includes 14 NL MVP awards, 12 Cy Young awards, and 18 Rookie of the Year awards. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1958, the Dodgers have a strong winning record.
Today, the Dodgers are very popular. They have many fans in Los Angeles and across the country. They have a big rivalry with the San Francisco Giants, which started when both teams were in New York City. They also have a newer rivalry with the Houston Astros. This started because of a sign-stealing scandal in the 2017 World Series. In 2024, Forbes magazine said the Dodgers were the second most valuable team in MLB, worth $5.45 billion.
Contents
- Team History: How the Dodgers Began
- Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers
- Moving to California: A New Home
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Success in the West
- Rivalries: Who Do the Dodgers Play Against?
- Fan Support: The Dodger Faithful
- Radio and Television: Hearing the Game
- Management: Who Runs the Team?
- Achievements: Awards and Honors
- Personnel: Key People in the Dodgers Organization
- Minor League Teams: Future Dodgers
- Images for kids
- See also
Team History: How the Dodgers Began
The club started as the Brooklyn Baseball Association in 1883. They played in a league called the Interstate League. In 1884, they joined the American Association. Then, in 1890, they moved to the National League. They won the NL Championship in their first year there.
The team didn't have an official nickname until 1932. People called them different names like the Bridegrooms, Superbas, and Robins. A sportswriter named Charles Dryden nicknamed them the Trolley Dodgers. This was because people in Brooklyn had to dodge streetcars. In 1932, writers chose "Dodgers" as the official name.
In 1941, the Dodgers won their third National League pennant. But they lost to the New York Yankees. This started a big rivalry between the two teams. The Dodgers played the Yankees in their next six World Series appearances.
Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers
For many years, no Major League Baseball team had African American players. Jackie Robinson changed this. He played his first major league game on April 15, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This happened because of the team's general manager, Branch Rickey. Rickey believed it was the right thing to do.
This moment was very important for sports in the United States. It helped lead to the end of the Negro leagues. It is also seen as a key part of the American Civil Rights Movement. Robinson was an amazing player. He was fast and played with great energy. He won the first Rookie of the Year award. This award is now named the Jackie Robinson Award.
The Dodgers were willing to have Black players when other teams were not. This helped them win many games from 1947 to 1956. They won six pennants with Robinson's help. Other great players like Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Jim Gilliam, and Joe Black also joined the team. Robinson later became the first African American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Moving to California: A New Home
In 1950, Walter O'Malley became the main owner of the Dodgers. He wanted to build a new, better ballpark in Brooklyn. But city officials in New York wouldn't let him buy the land he needed. To pressure the city, O'Malley had the team play some games in Jersey City in 1956. But New York leaders didn't think he would actually move the team.
Around this time, teams started flying to games instead of taking trains. This made it possible for teams to be in places farther away, like the West Coast. Officials from Los Angeles heard O'Malley was looking for a new home. They offered him land to build a stadium that he could own. This would give him full control over all the money the stadium made.
O'Malley decided to move the Dodgers to California. He also convinced the owner of the San Francisco Giants, Horace Stoneham, to move his team to San Francisco. This kept the big Dodgers-Giants rivalry alive on the West Coast. They were the first MLB teams to play west and south of St. Louis.
The Dodgers played their last game at Ebbets Field on September 24, 1957. They won that game 2–0 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York City only had one baseball team, the New York Yankees, until 1962. That year, the New York Mets were formed, bringing National League baseball back to the city. The Mets even used a blue color similar to the Dodgers' blue.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Success in the West
The Dodgers were the first Major League Baseball team to play in Los Angeles. Their first game in Los Angeles was on April 18, 1958. They beat the San Francisco Giants 6–5 in front of 78,672 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Dodger Stadium was finished in 1962. It quickly became a symbol of the Dodgers and their new California home. The stadium was designed so there were no bad seats. Its large size also made it a good place for pitchers. The Dodgers built a team known for its strong pitching.
Since moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers have won 12 more National League Championships. They have also won seven more World Series rings. The Dodgers have had very few high draft picks since the MLB Draft started in 1965. This shows how well they develop their own players.
Rivalries: Who Do the Dodgers Play Against?
The Dodgers have several big rivalries. Their rivalry with the San Francisco Giants is one of the oldest in sports. It started when both teams were in New York. The rivalry with the New York Yankees was also strong when the Dodgers were in New York. It became important again when they played each other in the World Series in 1963, 1977, 1978, and 1981.
The Dodgers also had rivalries with the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. These rivalries were strongest in the 1970s, 1980s, and 2000s. They also had a fierce rivalry with the Cincinnati Reds from the 1970s to the early 1990s. More recently, they had a rivalry with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2010s.
Their local rivalry with the Los Angeles Angels started in 1961. The Dodgers also have a renewed rivalry with the San Diego Padres. Most recently, their rivalry with the Houston Astros became very intense. This was after the Astros' sign-stealing scandal in the 2017 World Series.
San Francisco Giants: A Historic Rivalry
The Dodgers–Giants rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense in North American sports. It began in the late 1800s when both teams were in New York City. The Dodgers were in Brooklyn, and the Giants were in Manhattan.
After the 1957 season, Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley moved his team to Los Angeles. He convinced Giants owner Horace Stoneham to move his team to San Francisco. This kept their rivalry going on the West Coast. Fans in New York were very sad about the move. Since Los Angeles and San Francisco have always been rivals, the new location made the baseball rivalry even stronger.
This rivalry is special because both teams have been successful for over a century. They moved across the country, and the rivalry continued. This makes it one of the greatest in American sports. Both teams have won eight World Series titles. The Giants won their first championship in California in 2010. The Dodgers have won seven World Series titles since moving to California, with their most recent in the 2024 World Series.
In 2021, both teams had over 100 wins in the regular season. The Giants won their division, and the Dodgers made it to the playoffs as a Wild Card team. This led to their first-ever playoff series against each other. The Dodgers won the series in five games.
San Diego Padres: A Growing Rivalry
The rivalry between the Padres and the Dodgers has often seen the Dodgers win more games. However, recent close games have made this rivalry more exciting. The Dodgers have won more games overall against the Padres. They have met in the playoffs three times. The Dodgers won in 2020 and 2024, while the Padres won in 2022.
Arizona Diamondbacks: A Fierce Divisional Matchup
The rivalry between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks was very intense in the 2010s. Both teams often fought for the division title. There were many heated moments, including players throwing pitches at each other and even fights.
In 2013, after winning the division, some Dodgers players celebrated by jumping into the pool at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks' home stadium. In 2017, the Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks 3–0 in the playoffs. The Diamondbacks got their revenge in 2023, sweeping the Dodgers 3–0 in the playoffs. The Dodgers have won more games overall against the Diamondbacks.
New York Yankees: The Subway Series Legacy
The Dodgers' rivalry with the New York Yankees is one of the most famous in baseball. They have played each other 12 times in the World Series. This is more than any other two teams from the American and National Leagues. The rivalry was very strong when both teams were in New York City. Even after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, the rivalry remained important. This is because the teams represent the two largest cities on opposite sides of the United States.
Even though they played many World Series games, the Yankees and Dodgers did not meet in the World Series for 40 years after 1981. They did not play each other in a regular game until 2004. Their last regular season meeting was in June 2024, when the Dodgers won two out of three games in New York.
Houston Astros: A Controversial Rivalry
The rivalry between the Dodgers and the Houston Astros started as a divisional matchup. But it became less intense when the Astros moved to the American League. In 2017, the two teams played in the 2017 World Series. The Astros won the championship in seven games.
The rivalry became very heated again after the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. It was revealed that the Astros had cheated by stealing pitch signs, including during the 2017 World Series. This caused a lot of anger between the two teams and their fans. The Dodgers have won more games overall against the Astros.
Fan Support: The Dodger Faithful
In 2012, an article called Dodgers fans the best sports fans in Los Angeles. When the team moved to California, their attendance went from 11th in the league to 2nd in their first season in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have led the league in attendance many times since 2000. They have led the league for nine straight seasons since 2013.
In 1978, the Dodgers were the first MLB team to have over three million fans in a season. They did this six more times before any other team reached three million fans. The Dodgers had over three million fans for 15 years in a row, from 1996 to 2010. This is the longest streak in MLB. The team's biggest fan club, Pantone 294, often travels to away games to support the Dodgers.
On July 3, 2007, the Dodgers announced that over 175 million fans had attended their games since 1901. This was a record for all professional sports. In 2007, the Dodgers set a new record for single-season attendance, with over 3.8 million fans. On March 28, 2008, the Dodgers set a world record for the largest attendance at a single baseball game. This was during an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. There were 115,300 fans there to celebrate the Dodgers' 50th anniversary. The Dodger baseball cap is also one of the top-selling caps.
Dodgers fans mostly come from Southern and Central California. They also come from parts of Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Western Texas. Many celebrities also attend games at Dodger Stadium. These include co-owner Magic Johnson, Flea, Mary Hart, Tiger Woods, Alyssa Milano, and Bryan Cranston.
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International Fanbase
The Dodgers have many fans in Mexico. This is because of popular Mexican players like Fernando Valenzuela and Julio Urias. About 54% of fans at home games are of Mexican descent. The first Mexican-born player in MLB history, Mel Almada, also played for the Dodgers.
The team also has many fans in Asian countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. This is due to players like Hideo Nomo, Chan Ho Park, and Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers were the first MLB team to sign a South Korean-born player, Chan Ho Park, in 1994. They also signed the first Taiwanese player in MLB, Chin-Feng Chen, in 2002.
In 2024, the Dodgers focused on growing their Japanese fanbase after signing Shohei Ohtani. They held special theme nights with Japanese companies.
Radio and Television: Hearing the Game
As of 2023, the main play-by-play announcers are Joe Davis on TV and Charley Steiner on radio. Orel Hershiser (TV) and Rick Monday (radio) are the main color commentators. Other announcers fill in when needed.
From 1950 to 2016, most Dodgers games were called by Vin Scully. He was known for his long career with the team. Scully was praised for giving interesting details about players. He also had a fair view of every game he called. Scully retired in 2016 after 67 years with the Dodgers. This was the longest time anyone had worked for a single sports team. Joe Davis took over as the main TV play-by-play announcer in 2017.
The Dodgers also broadcast games in Spanish and Korean. When they moved to Los Angeles in 1958, they were the first MLB team with a Spanish-language radio station. For many years, Jaime Jarrín was the Spanish play-by-play announcer. He was joined by former Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. The Korean broadcast started in 2013.
Management: Who Runs the Team?
- Owner: Guggenheim Baseball Management
- Chairman/Controlling Partner: Mark Walter
- Partner: Magic Johnson
- President/chief executive officer: Stan Kasten
- President of Baseball Operations: Andrew Friedman
- General Manager: Brandon Gomes
Achievements: Awards and Honors
Baseball Hall of Famers: Dodger Legends
Many great players and managers who played for the Dodgers are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. These include:
- Roy Campanella
- Sandy Koufax
- Jackie Robinson
- Pee Wee Reese
- Don Drysdale
- Duke Snider
- Don Sutton
- Managers Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda
Retired Numbers: Honoring the Best
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The Dodgers have retired the numbers of many important players and staff. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, and Jackie Robinson were the first to have their numbers retired in 1972.
Usually, the Dodgers retire numbers of players who spent most of their career with the team and are in the Baseball Hall of Fame. There have been a few exceptions:
- Manager Walter Alston's number was retired in 1977. He was a very successful manager.
- Coach Jim Gilliam's number was retired in 1978 after he passed away. He worked for the Dodgers for 28 years.
- Pitcher and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela's number was retired in 2023. He had a special role in Dodgers history.
In 1997, Jackie Robinson's No. 42 was retired across all of Major League Baseball. He is the only player to have this honor. On Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), many players and coaches wear number 42 to honor him.
The Dodgers also have a "Ring of Honor." This includes retired numbers and symbols for important non-players. Longtime broadcasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrín are honored with microphone symbols. Team owner Walter O'Malley is honored with the team's "LA" logo.
Legends of Dodger Baseball: More Greats
In 2019, the Dodgers started "Legends of Dodger Baseball." This honors great Dodgers whose numbers are not retired. They are recognized with plaques at Dodger Stadium. Some of these legends include:
- Steve Garvey (2019)
- Don Newcombe (2019)
- Maury Wills (2022)
- Kirk Gibson (2022)
- Orel Hershiser (2023)
- Manny Mota (2023)
- Dusty Baker (2024)
Awards: Top Players and Their Wins
Most Valuable Player (NL)
- Brooklyn
- Jake Daubert (1913)
- Dazzy Vance (1924)
- Dolph Camilli (1941)
- Jackie Robinson (1949)
- Roy Campanella (1951, 1953, 1955)
- Don Newcombe (1956)
- Los Angeles
- Maury Wills (1962)
- Sandy Koufax (1963)
- Steve Garvey (1974)
- Kirk Gibson (1988)
- Clayton Kershaw (2014)
- Cody Bellinger (2019)
- Shohei Ohtani (2024)
World Series Most Valuable Player
- Johnny Podres (1955)
- Larry Sherry (1959)
- Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965)
- Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager (1981)
- Orel Hershiser (1988)
- Corey Seager (2020)
- Freddie Freeman (2024)
Cy Young Award (NL)
- Brooklyn
- Don Newcombe (1956)
- Los Angeles
- Don Drysdale (1962)
- Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966)
- Mike Marshall (1974)
- Fernando Valenzuela (1981)
- Orel Hershiser (1988)
- Éric Gagné (2003)
- Clayton Kershaw (2011, 2013, 2014)
Rookie of the Year Award (NL)
- Brooklyn
- Jackie Robinson (1947)
- Don Newcombe (1949)
- Joe Black (1952)
- Jim Gilliam (1953)
- Los Angeles
- Frank Howard (1960)
- Jim Lefebvre (1965)
- Ted Sizemore (1969)
- Rick Sutcliffe (1979)
- Steve Howe (1980)
- Fernando Valenzuela (1981)
- Steve Sax (1982)
- Eric Karros (1992)
- Mike Piazza (1993)
- Raúl Mondesi (1994)
- Hideo Nomo (1995)
- Todd Hollandsworth (1996)
- Corey Seager (2016)
- Cody Bellinger (2017)
Personnel: Key People in the Dodgers Organization
Managers: Leading the Team
Since 1884, the Dodgers have had 31 managers. The current manager is Dave Roberts. He took over after the 2015 season.
For almost 43 years, from 1954 to 1996, the Dodgers had only two managers: Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda. Both are in the Hall of Fame. During this time, the Dodgers won 11 pennants and six World Series championships.
The managers of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) are:
- Walter Alston (1958–1976)
- Tommy Lasorda (1976–1996)
- Bill Russell (1996–1998)
- Glenn Hoffman (1998)
- Davey Johnson (1999–2000)
- Jim Tracy (2001–2005)
- Grady Little (2006–2007)
- Joe Torre (2008–2010)
- Don Mattingly (2011–2015)
- Dave Roberts (2016–present)
General Managers and Presidents of Baseball Operations
These people are in charge of building the team and making big decisions about players.
- Larry MacPhail (1938–1942)
- Branch Rickey (1943–1950)
- Buzzie Bavasi (1950–1968)
- Fresco Thompson (1968)
- Al Campanis (1968–1987)
- Fred Claire (1987–1998)
- Tommy Lasorda (1998)
- Kevin Malone (1999–2001)
- Dave Wallace (2001)
- Dan Evans (2001–2004)
- Paul DePodesta (2004–2005)
- Ned Colletti (2005–2014)
- Andrew Friedman (2014–present) (as President of Baseball Operations)
- Farhan Zaidi (2014–2018) (as general manager)
- Brandon Gomes (2022–present) (as general manager)
Minor League Teams: Future Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have seven minor league teams. These teams help develop young players for the main Dodgers team.
| Class | Team | League | Location | Ballpark | Affiliated |
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| Triple-A | Oklahoma City Comets | Pacific Coast League | Oklahoma City | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | 2015 |
| Double-A | Tulsa Drillers | Texas League | Tulsa | Oneok Field | 2015 |
| High-A | Great Lakes Loons | Midwest League | Midland | Dow Diamond | 2007 |
| Single-A | Rancho Cucamonga Quakes | California League | Rancho Cucamonga | LoanMart Field | 2011 |
| Rookie | ACL Dodgers | Arizona Complex League | Phoenix | Camelback Ranch | 2021 |
| DSL Dodgers Bautista | Dominican Summer League | Santo Domingo | Las Palmas Complex | 2019 | |
| DSL Dodgers Mega | 2022 |
Images for kids
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"World Champions" team aircraft, Los Angeles International Airport 1964
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In-game action at Dodger Stadium, 1978
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10× All-Star 1B Steve Garvey, named NL MVP in 1974
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1981 World Series co–MVP, Pedro Guerrero
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Hall of Fame OF Zack Wheat (1909–1926)
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SS Maury Wills, 1962 NL MVP, and 6× NL stolen base leader
See also
In Spanish: Los Angeles Dodgers para niños
