The Brooklyn Superbas played a vital role in shaping early Major League Baseball. Known for their competitive spirit, the team built a strong reputation at the turn of the 20th century. From memorable pennant runs to iconic players, the Brooklyn Superbas baseball story remains an important chapter in the rich history of America’s favorite pastime.
Established
1889
City
Brooklyn – Los Angeles
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1889 – 1999 / National League
Team History
1958 – Present / Los Angeles Dodgers
1932 – 1957 / Brooklyn Dodgers
1914 – 1931 / Brooklyn Robins
1911 – 1912 / Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers
1899 – 1910, 1913 / Brooklyn Superbas
Nickname
Superbas – The Brooklyn Superbas may be one of the most iconic nicknames in Major League Baseball, but few people know where it came from.
When the team joined the National League in 1890, it was initially known as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. This name was derived from a combination of two players on their roster who had recently gotten married: Harry Von der Horst and Ned Hanlon (both former members of Baltimore's "Old Orioles").
Brooklyn Superbas Origin
In 1899, however, new owner Charles Ebbets changed his team's nickname to something more fitting for baseball—the Superbas! He chose this name because he thought it sounded like a powerful athletic term and would help market his club better than its old moniker.
Ebbets also liked how catchy “Superbas” sounded, so much so that he even named his ballpark after them—Ebbetts Field! The nickname stuck with the franchise until 1913 when they officially became known as the Brooklyn Dodgers due to an influx of Irish immigrants living in New York City.
While we no longer have our beloved Brooklyn Superbas today, their legacy lives on through nostalgic fans and modern-day historians, who continue to honor this unique MLB history daily by keeping its story alive!
Championship
World Series 0
2025, 2024, 2020, 1988, 1981, 1965, 1963, 1959, 1955
Stadium
1962 – Present / Dodger Stadium
1958 – 1961 / Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
*Brooklyn*
1913 – 1957 / Ebbets Field
1898 – 1912 / Washington Park II
1899 – 1897 / Eastern Park
Owner
2012 – Present / Guggenheim Baseball Partners
2005 – 2012 / Frank McCourt
1998 – 2005 / News Corporation
1970 – 1997 / Peter O’Malley
1950 – 1970 / Walter O’Malley
1945 – 1950 / Branch Rickey, Walter O’Malley, Andrew J. Schmitz
1925 – 1945 / Stephen McKeever, Brooklyn Trust Company
1912 – 1925 / Charles Ebbets, Ed McKeever, Stephen McKeever
1907 – 1912 / Charles Ebbets, Henry Medicus
1905 – 1906 / Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Henry Medicus, Ned Hanlon
1899 – 1904 / Charles Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Harry Von der Horst, Ned Hanlon
- 1899
-
Brooklyn Team Formation and Many Nicknames
The Dodgers were originally founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Atlantics, taking the name of a defunct team that had played in Brooklyn before them. The team joined the American Association in 1884 and won the AA championship in 1889 before joining the National League in 1890. They promptly won the NL Championship their first year in the League. The ...
Brooklyn Superbas History
The Brooklyn Superbas, now known as the Los Angeles Dodgers, have a long and celebrated legacy in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1883 as an independent minor league club in Brooklyn, New York, the team joined the National League in 1890 and became one of the eight founding members of what is now modern MLB. This early foundation helped shape the enduring success of the Brooklyn Superbas baseball franchise.
The franchise enjoyed its first real success at the turn of the century, winning four National League pennants between 1899 and 1912 under legendary manager Ned Hanlon. Hanlon, who had previously led the Baltimore Orioles to three straight championships from 1894–1896, built one of the most feared lineups of its era. The club became known by nicknames such as “Hanlon’s Superbas” or “Brooklyn Bridegrooms,” cementing the Brooklyn Superbas baseball identity.
During this dominant period, future Hall of Famers like Wee Willie Keeler, Joe Kelley, and Hughie Jennings starred for the Brooklyn Superbas. Their aggressive play, base-running, and innovative tactics made them one of the toughest teams in the National League. By 1916, they changed their name to the “Robins” after manager Wilbert Robinson, keeping that moniker until 1931 before ownership restored the “Superbas” name briefly under Steve McKeever.
Although the team’s fortunes declined after 1932, it remained home to notable stars such as pitcher Dazzy Vance. Eventually, the franchise transitioned into the modern era by moving west to California after the 1957 season, becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers — a direct descendant of the Brooklyn Superbas baseball legacy.
Superbas Achievements
The Brooklyn Superbas played a pivotal role in shaping early professional baseball. They won four National League pennants between 1899 and 1912 and established a reputation for innovation. The team also helped pioneer tactics such as the hit-and-run and aggressive base stealing, setting the standard for many teams that followed.
Beyond pennants, the Brooklyn Superbas baseball franchise introduced groundbreaking concepts to Major League Baseball. They were credited with popularizing equipment such as batting helmets and early pitching machines while developing player strategies still used today. This enduring impact means that whenever fans talk about Dodger Blue, they are also celebrating the proud, influential history of the Brooklyn Superbas.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
1 / Pee Wee Reese
2 / Tommy Lasorda
4 / Duke Snider
19 / Jim Gilliam
20 / Don Sutton
24 / Walter Alston
32 / Sandy Koufax
39 / Roy Campanella
42 / Jackie Robinson
53 / Don Drysdale
*Blue is this team’s history