Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team that plays in the National League West division of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since 1962, the Dodgers have played their home games in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers moved from the Brooklyn section of New York City to Los Angeles in 1958. In Brooklyn, the club had become one of the most popular teams in baseball. The Dodgers were particularly noted for their loyal fans, who called the team “Bums” as a term of bitter affection.
Brooklyn began in 1884 in the American Association and transferred to the National League in 1890. The team was alternately known as the Atlantics, Grays, Bridegrooms, Superbas, and Robins before officially becoming the Dodgers in 1932. The Brooklyn team played its home games at Ebbets Field from 1913 through 1957. Jackie Robinson became the first Black player in modern major league baseball when he joined the Dodgers in 1947. Other stars of the Brooklyn era included pitchers Dazzy Vance and Don Newcombe; catcher Roy Campanella; shortstop Pee Wee Reese; first basemen Gil Hodges; and outfielders Zack Wheat, Babe Herman, Carl Furillo, Dixie Walker, and Duke Snider. Brooklyn won 10 National League pennants and the 1955 World Series.
In Los Angeles, the Dodgers won the World Series in 1959, 1963, and 1965, but lost the series in 1966. Team stars included pitchers Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, shortstop Maury Wills, and outfielder Tommy Davis.
The Dodgers lost the World Series in 1974, 1977, and 1978, but returned to win it all in 1981. Walter Alston managed the team from 1954 to 1976, when the colorful Tom Lasorda became manager. Lasorda held the position through 1996. Team stars included pitcher Don Sutton, first baseman Steve Garvey, second baseman Davey Lopes, shortstop Bill Russell, and third baseman Ron Cey.
The Dodgers won the 1988 World Series and have since made the playoffs numerous times. In 2017 and 2018, the Dodgers returned to the World Series, but lost each time. In 2020, the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series. Recent stars of the team have included first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger; catcher Mike Piazza; outfielders Andre Ethier and Mookie Betts; shortstop Corey Seager; infielder Justin Turner; and pitchers Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw.
For the Dodgers’ World Series results, see Baseball (table: The World Series) .