2009 Los Angeles Dodgers

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat the Dodgers 4 games to 1 to advance to the 2009 World Series, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of the NL West Division, for the fantastic season they had!

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a fantastic 2008 season, winning the NL West Division and shocking the world by beating the Chicago Cubs in the division playoffs. The Dodgers are starting out the 2009 season in fine form with their “big four” of young talent: Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and James Loney. They’ve also got future star Clayton Kershaw, though it remains to be seen if the 2009 season will be the one where he comes into his own. All these energetic youngsters mean the 2009 season will be full of excitement, and everyone is going to want tickets to Dodger Stadium to see how it all plays out. If you want to experience professional baseball at its finest, get your 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers tickets today!

The Brooklyn Bridegrooms

The Dodgers are one of the oldest teams in the Major Leagues, originating in 1890 as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. Eventually they would adopt the name Dodgers as a reflection of the Brooklyn citizens who would routinely have to dodge the trolleys that converged in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Dodgers were one of the least successful teams in the National League until Branch Rickey came over from St. Louis to transform them into contenders. Most famous for the signing of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in Major League Baseball, Rickey surrounded Robinson with a roster of future Hall of Famers including Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, and Don Newcombe. These Dodgers won the NL Pennant 6 times over a ten year span including one World Series win.

Move to Los Angeles

The Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles in 1958 and continued their winning ways capturing the World Series again in 1959. This was the first of their 5 Championships won in Los Angeles. The Dodgers of Brooklyn were better known for their hitters, but the new Dodgers were led by pitching greats such as Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale who led the team to World Series wins in 1963 and 1965. Later teams captured the World Series with pitching stars like Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser. The franchise was guided by just two managers in their first 42 years in LA, Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda. Those two combined to bring the Dodgers new hometown 5 World Series titles and 9 NL Pennants. The team currently plays in the National League West along with the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and century long rival the San Francisco Giants.

Dodger Stadium

The team played their first few years in Los Angeles Coliseum which was transformed from a football and track stadium into a baseball park by altering all the fences. Thankfully that was just a temporary fix and they now play in beautiful Dodger Stadium located in Chavez Ravine. In 1962 the Dodgers moved into their new home, and since then, the beauty of Dodger Stadium has awed spectators.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country, so the Dodgers are not the only sports team in town. Across the city the Los Angeles Angels play in Anaheim, a suburb of LA. The city also calls itself home to 2 NBA Franchises, the Lakers and Clippers; as well as 2 NHL franchises, the Kings and the Ducks.