Thursday, 16 March 2017

Spring Training Team Profile: Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers

Established: 1883
Other Names:
Brooklyn Atlantics (1884)
Brooklyn Grays (1885-1887)
Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1888-1890, 1896-1898)
Brooklyn Grooms (1891-1895)
Brooklyn Superbas (1899-1910, 1913)
Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-12)
Brooklyn Robins (1914)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1915-1957)

2016 results: 91-71, 1st in NL West
Defeated Washington 3 games to 2 in NLDS
Lost to Cubs 4 games to 2 in NLCS

2017 Prediction: 2nd

World Series Titles: 6
Most Recent: 1988
Last World Series Appearance: 1988
Last Division Title: 2016

Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
Est: 1962

Best Season: 1955


                While the Dodgers were in Brooklyn, they represented the National League in the World Series seven times prior to 1955 but had failed in every attempt to win it. However, at the conclusion of the 1955 season, the Dodgers’ fans no longer had to quote their famous slogan, “Wait ‘Til Next Year” because they finally took the championship home. A regular season record of 98-55 saw them win the NL Pennant by 13 ½ games over the second place Milwaukee Braves. In the World Series against the Yankees, the Dodgers were taken to seven games where they beat New York in the Bronx in the finale  by a score of 2-0. The Dodgers were led offensively by Duke Snider, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges. While Jackie Robinson was on the team, at 36 years old, he wasn’t the same player he had been earlier in his career, but he still contributed with a .256 batting average, hit eight home runs and had 36 RBIs. The pitching staff was led by Don Newcombe and Carl Erskine.

Best All-time Player: Duke Snider


                Edwin Donald Snider roamed the outfield in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 16 years. He was a seven-time All-Star, hit 389 home runs, 1271 RBIs and batted .295. In 36 World Series games, he batted .286, hit 11 home runs and had 26 RBIs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Best Player on the Current Roster: Clayton Kershaw


                Yes, Kershaw had a bit of a down year last year when you look at the fact that he only posted a 12-4 record, but taking a closer look at his 1.69 ERA, it’s hard to believe he only one 12 games. He was limited to 21 starts due to injury but when you have an ERA like that, you sometimes wonder how his teammates couldn’t scratch together a few more runs to improve his win total. Over nine years in MLB, all with the Dodgers, Kershaw has won 126 games while compiling 1918 strikeouts over 1760 innings and has posted a 2.37 ERA. He won the NL Cy Young Award three times (2011, 2013 and 2014), the NL MVP Award in 2014, is a six-time All-Star and even won a Gold Glove in 2011. He has led the NL in wins twice, ERA four times and strikeouts three times. He continues to have his critics due to his 4.55 career ERA in 18 playoff games.  

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