The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the oldest and most popular franchises in Major League Baseball. In 2017, the Dodgers led the league in attendance and brought in nearly 4 million fans for home games.
The history behind the Dodgers is rich and impactful. From its origins on the east coast in Brooklyn to breaking the color barrier with Jackie Robinson, the Dodgers are a fascinating team to follow.
Read on to learn more interesting facts about this storied franchise. Explore topics like how old is Dodger stadium and get answers to other questions about the team.
1. How Old Is Dodger Stadium?
The lobbying effort to build a new Dodgers stadium started in the late 1950s. Team President Walter O’Malley was able to secure a deal from the city of Los Angeles for 300 acres.
The new Dodgers Stadium did not open its gates until the 1962 season. The 56,000-seat stadium has withstood the test of time.
While receiving many improvements over the years, the stadium is still selling out 56 years after its grand opening. Today, you will see an average 46,000 fans at each home game wearing bodyrags team gear.
2. The Dodgers Started Out in Brooklyn
Many fans are too young to know the origins of the Dodgers. An interesting fact is that the team did not move to Los Angeles until 1958. The team was actually formed in 1883 and originally called the Brooklyn Grays.
In 1895, the team adopted the nickname of the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. It was not until 1913 that the franchise shortened its name to the Dodgers.
3. The Dodgers Broke the Color Barrier
The Dodgers are famous in baseball lore for breaking the color barrier. Before 1947, Major League Baseball was exclusively manned by white players.
During the 1947 season, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed a young African-American player named Jackie Robinson. Jackie paved the way for fellow African-Americans to play professional baseball.
Robinson was an elite player for the Dodgers. He won many awards like Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and was a 6-time All-Star. Jackie Robinson proved that African-American players belonged in professional baseball.
4. The Dodgers Have Not Won the World Series in Three Decades
Despite their rich history, the Dodgers have not won the championship in a long time. The team’s last World Series championship came in 1988.
The 1988 championship team was led by franchise heroes Kirk Gibson and Oral Hershiser. In 2017, the Dodgers won the National League pennant but unfortunately lost in the World Series to the Astros.
5. The Dodgers Had the Highest Payroll Until 2018
The Dodgers championship drought is not due to lack of effort or investment. In fact, the team had the highest payroll in the league from 2014-2017.
In 2018, the Dodgers dropped to 4th highest payroll, with a still-substantial $180 million payroll to start the season. During the season, they acquired several star players like Manny Machado to drive the payroll even higher.
Wrapping It Up
Without question, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most prolific franchises in all of sports. From its origins in the late 1800s to the signing of Jackie Robinson, the Dodgers remain a household name.
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