The Dodgers got their name from the early 20th century and their days in Brooklyn. Pedestrians had to dodge trolleys that crisscrossed the city before the car was invented and were called trolley dodgers.

The beloved Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in time for the home opener on April 18, 1958. In just their second year in LA the Dodgers defeated the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.

Playing in the old LA Memorial Coliseum the Dodgers attracted a record crowd of 92,394 to game 3 of the 1959 World Series. That’s over 36,000 more fans than Dodger Stadium, built a few years later, can hold.

The legendary Jackie Robinson played for the Dodgers from 1947 through 1956. He was the first African American to play in the Major Leagues and was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 23, 1962.

After being struck in the throat by a piece of broken bat, Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager invented a hanging throat protector on a catcher’s mask to prevent similar injuries. Buy Dodgers Tickets Early offensive problems along with a string of injuries made it tough for the Dodgers in 2002 but they were able to overcome these setbacks and maintain contention for the NL West and the Wild Card spot into the playoffs. Unfortunately the Dodgers finished just 3 games out of the playoffs finishing in 3rd place. The year wasn’t all bad as Eric Gagne starts to make a name for himself as possibly the most dominant closer in the game. On May 23rd Shawn green hit 4 HRs, a double, and a single to set the single game record for total bases at 19. 2003 proved to be even more of a struggle than 2002 as the Dodgers offense puts up a league worst 574 runs all season. Despite having the worst offense in baseball, the Dodgers pitching staff becomes the best in the league posting a team ERA of just 3.16. Eric Gagne continues his closing duties for the team recording 55 saves in the same number of opportunities. Shawn Green was not exempt from the team wide hitting slump as he hits only 19 homers all year. The dodgers would finish the year with a record of 85-77. Forgetting the struggles of 2003 the Dodgers played very solid ball basically all year long as they finish the regular season 93-69, good enough to win the NL West Division. The Dodgers would meet up with the high powered St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. After dropping the first two in St. Louis the Dodgers faced elimination from the 5 game series as it came back to the west. An exciting and stellar pitching performance by Jose Lima ignites a spark within the Dodgers as they win game 3 and keep their hopes alive. However, in game 4 the power bats of the Cardinals rally and outscore the Dodgers for the win. In the off season would bring drastic lineup changes to the Dodgers as general manager Paul DePodesta restructures the entire team. 6 of the everyday starters on opening day were traded along with opening day starting pitcher Hideo Nomo, ALDS game 3 winner Jose Lima and 12 other players. Newly acquired J.D. Drew can hopefully provide the bat the Dodgers are looking for as they start rebuilding for 2005.