Santa Barbara Dodgers facts for kids
Santa Barbara Dodgers 1941–1967 (1941–1942, 1946–1953, 1962–1967) Santa Barbara, California |
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Quick facts for kids Class-level |
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Previous |
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Minor league affiliations | |
League | California League |
Major league affiliations | |
Previous |
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Minor league titles | |
League titles | 3 (1941, 1948, 1951) |
Team data | |
Previous names
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Colors | Dodger blue White |
Previous parks
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Laguna Park |
The Santa Barbara Dodgers was the main name for a minor league baseball team. This team played in Santa Barbara, California. They were part of the Class A California League.
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History of the Santa Barbara Dodgers
The Santa Barbara Dodgers were connected to a bigger team. They were an "affiliate" of the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was from 1941 to 1953. Later, they became an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was from 1964 to 1967.
The team won three league championships. They won in 1941, 1948, and 1951. In 1964, the Dodgers joined the California League. They took the place of a team called the Santa Barbara Rancheros. The Dodgers played their home games at Laguna Ball Park.
The Santa Barbara Dodgers had a problem. Not many people came to watch their games. On average, only about 225 fans attended each game. Because of this, the team moved. After the 1967 season, the team moved to Bakersfield, California.
Laguna Park stadium was torn down in 1970. A parking lot was built where it used to be. Since then, no professional minor league baseball team has played in Santa Barbara.
Famous Players from Santa Barbara
Baseball Hall of Fame Members
Some players from the Santa Barbara Dodgers became very famous. They were so good they were chosen for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Sparky Anderson (played in 1953) – joined the Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Don Sutton (played in 1965) – joined the Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Dick Williams (played in 1947) – joined the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Other Notable Players
Many other talented players also played for the Santa Barbara Dodgers.
- Jack Billingham (1964) – an MLB All-Star.
- Paul Blair (1962) – a 2-time MLB All-Star and won 8 Gold Gloves.
- Rocky Bridges (1947-1948) – an MLB All-Star.
- Willie Crawford (1964).
- Bruce Edwards (1941) – a 2-time MLB All-Star.
- Alan Foster (1965).
- Jim Gentile (1952) – a 6-time MLB All-Star.
- Hal Gregg (1941) – an MLB All-Star.
- Von Joshua (1967).
- Irv Noren (1946) – an MLB All-Star.
- Wes Parker (1963).
- Larry Sherry (1953) – was the Most Valuable Player in the 1959 World Series.