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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| Retired numbers | |||||
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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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| Pre-modern World Series (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, California. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) West Division. The team started in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. They joined the NL 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 in the World Series seven times. The Dodgers won their first World Series title in 1955. A very important moment happened in 1947 when Jackie Robinson joined the team. He was the first African American to play in the Major Leagues since 1884. 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 in 1958. They played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for four seasons. Then, they moved to their current home, Dodger Stadium, in 1962. The Dodgers quickly found success in Los Angeles, winning the 1959 World Series. Star pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale helped them win titles in 1963 and 1965. In 1981, rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela led the team to another championship. He is the only player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. The Dodgers won again in 1988. They broke a 32-year championship drought by winning the 2020 World Series. In 2024, they signed Shohei Ohtani and won their eighth World Series title.
The Dodgers are one of the most successful teams in MLB history. They have won eight World Series championships. They also have a record 25 National League pennants. Many award-winning players have played for the Dodgers. This includes 11 NL MVP winners and eight Cy Young Award winners. They also have 18 Rookie of the Year Award winners. From 1884 through 2024, the Dodgers have a strong winning record. They are known for having many loyal fans.
Today, the Dodgers are very popular. They have many fans in Los Angeles and when they play away games. They have a big rivalry with the San Francisco Giants. This rivalry started when both teams were in New York City. They also have a rivalry with the American League's Houston Astros. This is because of a past controversy. In 2024, Forbes magazine said the Dodgers were worth $5.45 billion. This makes them one of the most valuable teams in MLB.
Contents
Team History and Achievements
Early Days in Brooklyn
The team started in 1883 as the Brooklyn Atlantics. They joined the American Association in 1884. They won the AA championship in 1889. Then, they moved to the National League in 1890. They won the NL Championship in their first year there. The team had many nicknames over the years. These included the Bridegrooms, Superbas, and Robins. The name "Trolley Dodgers" came from Brooklyn pedestrians. They had to dodge streetcars in the city. In 1932, the team officially became the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In 1941, the Dodgers won their third National League pennant. They lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. This started a big rivalry between the two teams. The Dodgers faced the Yankees in their next six World Series.
Jackie Robinson's Impact
For many years, no African American players were allowed in Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson changed this on April 15, 1947. He played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was a huge moment for sports and civil rights in the United States. It helped lead to the end of the Negro leagues.
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 after him. The Dodgers were willing to have black players when other teams were not. This helped them win six pennants between 1947 and 1956. Key players included Robinson, Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Jim Gilliam, and Joe Black. Robinson was later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
The Dodgers won their first World Series title in 1955. They beat the Yankees, which was a big deal.
Moving to California
After the 1957 season, the team left Brooklyn. The owner, Walter O'Malley, wanted a new stadium. He couldn't get what he needed in New York. Los Angeles offered him a chance to buy land and build his own ballpark. This gave him full control. O'Malley also convinced the Giants owner to move to San Francisco. This kept their rivalry alive on the West Coast. The Dodgers and Giants 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 2-0 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. New York City had only one team, the Yankees, until 1962. That year, the New York Mets brought National League baseball back. The Mets even used Dodgers blue in their team colors.
Success in Los Angeles
The Dodgers were the first MLB team to play in Los Angeles. Their first game in LA was on April 18, 1958. They beat the San Francisco Giants 6-5. Over 78,000 fans watched the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Dodger Stadium was finished in 1962. It quickly became a famous ballpark. Its design and location among hills and palm trees were unique. The stadium was built so every seat had a good view. Its large size also helped the Dodgers focus on strong pitching.
Since moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers have won many more championships. They have won twelve National League Championships. They also have seven more World Series rings. The Dodgers have had very few high draft picks. This shows how well they develop their players.
Major Rivalries
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 City. The rivalry continued when they both moved to California in 1958. Los Angeles and San Francisco have always been rivals. This made the baseball rivalry even stronger.
Unlike many rivalries, the Dodgers and Giants have been very balanced. The Giants have more wins overall. But the Dodgers have more National League pennants. Both teams are tied with eight World Series titles. The Giants won their first California championship in 2010. The Dodgers have won seven since moving to California.
In 2021, both teams had over 100 wins. They met in the playoffs for the first time. The Dodgers won that series.
Other Rivalries
The Dodgers also have rivalries with other teams:
- San Diego Padres: This rivalry has grown stronger recently. San Diego fans often feel a rivalry with Los Angeles.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: This was a fierce rivalry in the 2010s. There were often arguments and fights between the teams. In 2013, Dodgers players celebrated winning the division by jumping in the Diamondbacks' pool. The Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers in the 2023 playoffs.
- St. Louis Cardinals: This is mostly a playoff rivalry. The teams have met six times in the postseason.
- Cincinnati Reds: This was a very intense rivalry from the 1970s to the early 1990s. They often competed for the division title.
- Los Angeles Angels: This is a local rivalry, called the "Freeway Series." It's named after the freeways connecting their stadiums.
- New York Yankees: This is one of the most famous rivalries in baseball. The two teams have met twelve times in the World Series. This is more than any other two teams from different leagues.
- Houston Astros: This rivalry became very heated after the 2017 World Series. The Astros were found to have cheated by stealing signs. This made the rivalry very intense.
Fan Support
Dodgers fans are known for being very loyal. When the team moved to Los Angeles, attendance greatly increased. Walter O'Malley worried the new stadium would be too big. But the Dodgers quickly led the league in attendance.
Attendance Records
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 did it once. The Dodgers had over three million fans for 15 years in a row (1996-2010). This is the longest streak in MLB. The team's biggest fan club, Pantone 294, often travels to away games. The Dodgers have led the league in attendance for nine straight seasons since 2013.
On July 3, 2007, the Dodgers announced a record. Their total attendance since 1901 reached 175 million fans. This was a record for all professional sports. In 2007, they set a team record with over 3.8 million fans in one season. On March 28, 2008, the Dodgers set a world record. They had the largest attendance for a single baseball game. Over 115,300 fans watched an exhibition game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This was to celebrate the Dodgers' 50th anniversary in LA. The Dodger baseball cap is also one of the best-selling in sports.
Most Dodgers fans live in Southern or Central California. Many also live in parts of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Western Texas. Many celebrities also attend Dodgers games. These include Magic Johnson, Flea, Mary Hart, Tiger Woods, and Bryan Cranston.
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International Fanbase
The Dodgers have many fans in Mexico. This is thanks to Mexican players like Fernando Valenzuela and Julio Urias. About 54% of fans at home games are of Mexican descent. The team also has fans in Asian countries. This is due to players from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The Dodgers were the first MLB team to sign a South Korean player, Chan Ho Park, in 1994. They also signed the first Taiwanese player, Chin-Feng Chen, in 2002.
In 2024, the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani. This greatly increased their Japanese fanbase. They now host special "Japanese Heritage" nights.
Broadcasting and Announcers
The Dodgers have had many famous announcers. From 1950 to 2016, most games were called by Vin Scully. He was known for his long career and detailed stories. Scully would often call games by himself. He was praised for being fair to both teams. He would call listeners "friends" instead of "fans." Scully retired in 2016 after 67 years with the team. This was the longest time any announcer spent with one sports team.
Today, Joe Davis is the main TV announcer. Charley Steiner is the main radio announcer. The Dodgers also broadcast games in Spanish and Korean. Jaime Jarrín was the Spanish play-by-play announcer for many years. He was also a Hall of Famer.
Team Management
The Dodgers are owned by Guggenheim Baseball Management. Mark Walter is the chairman. Famous basketball player Magic Johnson is also a partner. The team's President and CEO is Stan Kasten. Andrew Friedman is the President of Baseball Operations. The General Manager is Brandon Gomes.
Managers
Since 1884, the Dodgers have had 31 managers. The current manager is Dave Roberts. He started in 2016.
For over 40 years (1954-1996), the Dodgers had only two managers. These were Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda. Both are in the Hall of Fame. During this time, the Dodgers won 11 pennants and six World Series.
The managers of the Los Angeles Dodgers (since 1958) include:
- Walter Alston (1958–1976)
- Tommy Lasorda (1976–1996)
- Bill Russell (1996–1998)
- Davey Johnson (1999–2000)
- Jim Tracy (2001–2005)
- Grady Little (2006–2007)
- Joe Torre (2008–2010)
- Don Mattingly (2011–2015)
- Dave Roberts (2016–present)
Team Achievements and Awards
Baseball Hall of Famers
Many Dodgers players and managers are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Retired Numbers
The Dodgers honor special players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player can wear that number.
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Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, and Jackie Robinson were the first Dodgers to have their numbers retired. This happened on June 4, 1972. The Dodgers usually retire numbers for players who played most of their career with the team. These players are also usually in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
There have been a few exceptions:
- Manager Walter Alston's number was retired in 1977. He had won four World Series titles.
- Coach Jim Gilliam's number was retired in 1978. He spent 28 years with the Dodgers.
- Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela's number was retired in 2023. He had a very 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 April 15, "Jackie Robinson Day," many players and coaches wear No. 42 to honor him.
The Dodgers also have a "Ring of Honor." This includes retired numbers and symbols for special non-players. Longtime announcers 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
In 2019, the Dodgers started "Legends of Dodger Baseball." This honors great Dodgers whose numbers are not retired. They are recognized for their impact on the team. Plaques for these legends are displayed at Dodger Stadium.
- Steve Garvey (2019)
- Don Newcombe (2019)
- Fernando Valenzuela (2019; his number was later retired in 2023)
- Maury Wills (2022)
- Kirk Gibson (2022)
- Orel Hershiser (2023)
- Manny Mota (2023)
- Dusty Baker (2024)
Major Awards Won by Dodgers Players
Most Valuable Player (NL)
- Brooklyn
- 1913 – Jake Daubert
- 1924 – Dazzy Vance
- 1941 – Dolph Camilli
- 1949 – Jackie Robinson
- 1951 – Roy Campanella
- 1953 – Roy Campanella
- 1955 – Roy Campanella
- 1956 – Don Newcombe
- Los Angeles
- 1962 – Maury Wills
- 1963 – Sandy Koufax
- 1974 – Steve Garvey
- 1988 – Kirk Gibson
- 2014 – Clayton Kershaw
- 2019 – Cody Bellinger
- 2024 – Shohei Ohtani
World Series Most Valuable Player
- 1955 – Johnny Podres
- 1959 – Larry Sherry
- 1963 – Sandy Koufax
- 1965 – Sandy Koufax
- 1981 – Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager
- 1988 – Orel Hershiser
- 2020 – Corey Seager
- 2024 – Freddie Freeman
Cy Young Award (NL)
- Brooklyn
- 1956 – Don Newcombe (MLB)
- Los Angeles
- 1962 – Don Drysdale (MLB)
- 1963 – Sandy Koufax (MLB)
- 1965 – Sandy Koufax (MLB)
- 1966 – Sandy Koufax (MLB)
- 1974 – Mike Marshall
- 1981 – Fernando Valenzuela
- 1988 – Orel Hershiser
- 2003 – Éric Gagné
- 2011 – Clayton Kershaw
- 2013 – Clayton Kershaw
- 2014 – Clayton Kershaw
Triple Crown
- Brooklyn
- 1924 – Dazzy Vance
- Los Angeles
- 1963 – Sandy Koufax
- 1965 – Sandy Koufax
- 1966 – Sandy Koufax
- 2011 – Clayton Kershaw
Rookie of the Year Award (NL)
- Brooklyn
- 1947 – Jackie Robinson (MLB)
- 1949 – Don Newcombe
- 1952 – Joe Black
- 1953 – Jim Gilliam
- Los Angeles
- 1960 – Frank Howard
- 1965 – Jim Lefebvre
- 1969 – Ted Sizemore
- 1979 – Rick Sutcliffe
- 1980 – Steve Howe
- 1981 – Fernando Valenzuela
- 1982 – Steve Sax
- 1992 – Eric Karros
- 1993 – Mike Piazza
- 1994 – Raúl Mondesi
- 1995 – Hideo Nomo
- 1996 – Todd Hollandsworth
- 2016 – Corey Seager
- 2017 – Cody Bellinger
Minor League Teams
The Los Angeles Dodgers have several minor league teams. These teams help develop new players for the main roster.
| 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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The PCL's Hollywood Stars (logo, pictured) and Angels played in L.A. before the Dodgers arrived.
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Former Dodger greats who played in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles adorn the exterior of Dodger Stadium.
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The 1959 World Series was played partly at the Los Angeles Coliseum while Dodger Stadium was being built.
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In-game action at Dodger Stadium, 1978.
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A fan waves a rally towel during the 2008 National League Championship Series (NLCS).
