Fewer organizations have as much history as the Los Angeles Dodgers. The organization was founded in 1883 by an individual by the name of Charles Byrne. He was a real estate mogul and an enthusiastic supporter of baseball. Charles Byrne was able to convince his brother-in-law Joseph Doyle as well as a casino operator named Ferdinand Abell, to be a part of the same. When the franchise was founded, they were founded as the Brooklyn Grays.
The organization would join a league known as the American Association in 1884. They would remain in the American Association until 1889. The franchise changed its name three times during its period. They were the Brooklyn Atlantics, Brooklyn Grays, and Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
As the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, the franchise would win the American Association Pennant in 1889 and would end up going to the World Series to face the New York Giants.
One could argue that the franchise was fairly nomadic in the first 30 years of its existence. The franchise played in ballparks such as Ridgewood Park and Eastern Park. They had two different stints in Washington Park.
In 1913, the Dodgers would move into the intimate confines of Ebbets Field. This ballpark would serve as the home of this franchise for over four decades. Many memorable moments would take place in the years ahead.
The Dodgers became the first team to employ a player of African-American descent. On April 15th, 1947, third-baseman Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player to play major league baseball.
The Dodgers' bold decision to integrate sparked a successful run by the franchise from 1947-1956. Black players such as Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe helped the franchise win 6 pennants during that aforementioned period.
The highlight of that run would be the Brooklyn Dodgers finally beating the crosstown rival New York Yankees to win their first World Series in 1955. Three years later, the Dodgers franchise would move to Los Angeles. They would play their first game in LA against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers would win the game 6-5.
In 1959, the Dodgers would win their second World Series in franchise history by defeating the Chicago White Sox in 6 games.
When the franchise moved to Los Angeles, they played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 1958-1961. However, the Dodgers were poised for an eventual move to Dodger Stadium. Construction on Dodger Stadium finished just in time for the Opening Day of the 1962 season.
The Dodgers would end up winning the World Series championship in 1963 by sweeping the Yankees and then again in 1965 by defeating the Minnesota Twins in 7 games.
The franchise wouldn't achieve championship success again until 1981. This was the year in which "Fernandomania" would run wild. Fernandomania referred to Dodgers phenom Fernando Valenzuela.
He won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards during the 1981 season. Valenzuela helped spearhead the team to another World Series title.
The Dodgers would end up winning the World Series again in 1988. A memorable walk-off HR sparked this by left-fielder Kirk Gibson in Game 1.
In 2012, the LA Dodgers made sports history when the team was sold to Guggenheim Baseball Management for 2.15 billion dollars. At the time, it was the largest sale ever for a professional sports team.
Eight years later, the Dodgers would achieve championship success in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They defeated the Texas Rangers to win their 7th World Series title in franchise history.
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