Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball
The team was formed in 1883 and moved to the American Association in 1884. They won the AA pennant in 1889. Upon switching to the National League in 1890, the franchise became the only one in MLB history to win pennants in different leagues in consecutive years. The team adopted its current name in 1958.
The Dodgers faced the New York Yankees in five World Series from 1949 to 1956, but defeated them only once and capture their first World Series title in 1955. The “Boys of Summer”, as they became known, beat the New York in seven games. They were led by the first-class pitching of young left hander Johnny Podres, whose key pitch was a changeup known as “pulling down the lampshade” because of the arm motion used right when the ball was released.
The Los Angeles Dodgers went on to win World Series in 1959, 1963 and 1965. The core of the team's success in the 1960s was the dominant pitching tandem of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, who combined to win 4 of the 5 Cy Young Awards from 1962 to 1966.
Tommy Lasorda took over the team in the late 70s. He quickly became a larger-than-life-personality. He became well-known for sayings such as, "If you cut me, I bleed Dodger blue," and for referring to God as "the big Dodger in the sky."
In 1981, the opening day pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers was Fernanado Valenzuela. He pitched a shutout and won his first eight decisions. He could only speak Spanish, but he had a devastating screwball. He led the Dodgers to a World Series win.
Orel Hershiser burst on the scene to take over where Valenzuela left off. By 1988, he had matured into one of baseball's most effective pitchers and that year he won 23 games and the Cy Young Award. He broke Don Drysdale's record by tossing 59 consecutive scoreless innings, ending with a 10-inning shutout on his final start of the season. Hershiser dominated the Athletics in Games 2 and 5 of the World Series, and was on the mound when the Dodgers completed their stunning 4 games to 1 upset of the A's; he capped off an incredible personal season by being named the Series MVP.
The Dodgers lost Lasorda as their manager in 1996 after 20 seasons and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. The team recorded forged ahead in early 2000's, with four consecutive winning seasons. Eric Gagne was one of the leagues top relief pitchers and won the Cy Young Award in 2003. The Dodgers won the NL West in 2004.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium continues to awe spectators with a breath-taking view of downtown Los Angeles to the south; green, tree-lined Elysian hills to the north and east; and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. Dodger Stadium field was named the best in baseball by Sports Illustrated in 2003 in a poll of Major League players. Of the responses, 23.2 percent of players rated Dodger Stadium as the best-quality playing field, more than twice as many as any other stadium.
Dodger Stadium is a classic pitcher’s park. The park has palm trees beyond the fence down the foul lines. More than 3,400 trees cover the 300 acres of beautiful landscape, which is maintained by a full-time staff of gardeners. You can also post a special message at the park. For just $45 your can order online your own personalized message to appear on the Dodger LED Ribbon Board.