How did the Los Angeles Dodgers get their name?

Last Modified Sep 26, 2024 12:14 GMT
Division Series - San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game Two
Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team located in Los Angeles, California. Competing in Major League Baseball (MLB), they are part of the National League (NL) West division. They played a pivotal role in breaking racial barriers within the sport by signing Jackie Robinson in 1947, marking him as the first African American player in modern MLB history. Since 1962, Dodger Stadium has served as their home field and is regarded as one of baseball's most iconic venues. The team's colors include Dodger Blue, white, and red.

Throughout their history, eleven players from the team have received the NL MVP award, totaling 14 wins as of 2024. Additionally, eight Cy Young Award winners have pitched for them with an impressive total of twelve victories, this being more than any other franchise in Major League Baseball as of 2024. The organization also has produced 18 Rookie of the Year Award recipients.

Los Angeles Dodgers Name Origin

The name of the Los Angeles Dodgers traces back to their origins in Brooklyn, New York, where they were first dubbed the "Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers." This title stemmed from the intricate network of trolley cars that operated throughout Brooklyn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Commuters and pedestrians had to skillfully navigate around these trolleys on city streets, leading to fans being referred to as Trolley Dodgers, a term that ultimately inspired the team’s name.

As time passed, this nickname was streamlined to "Brooklyn Dodgers," officially adopted in 1932. After moving to Los Angeles in 1958, they retained the "Dodgers" name, preserving their historical ties while forging a new identity on the West Coast as the Los Angeles Dodgers.

List of Los Angeles Dodgers’ names throughout its history

The Los Angeles Dodgers have undergone a total of ten name changes during their history. Established in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays, the team has undergone several renamings that reflect different facets of Brooklyn's culture and management. This includes titles such as the Brooklyn Atlantics, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Brooklyn Superbas, and Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. The franchise was known as the Brooklyn Dodgers at two separate times (1913 and from 1932 to 1957) before moving to Los Angeles in 1958, where they officially took on the name of Los Angeles Dodgers.

YearsTeam Name
1958–presentLos Angeles Dodgers
1932–1957Brooklyn Dodgers
1914–1931Brooklyn Robins
1913Brooklyn Dodgers
1911–1912Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers
1899–1910Brooklyn Superbas
1896–1898Brooklyn Bridegrooms
1891–1895Brooklyn Grooms
1888–1890Brooklyn Bridegrooms
1885–1887Brooklyn Grays
1884Brooklyn Atlantics
1883Brooklyn Grays

FAQs on Los Angeles Dodgers

A. The Dodgers have won 7 World Series titles in 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, and most recent in 2020.

A. The Dodgers play their home games at Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962.

A. The team was originally known as the Brooklyn Grays when founded in 1883.

A. The Dodgers have had 10 different names throughout their history before settling on "Los Angeles Dodgers" in 1958.

A. The team officially became the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932.

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