The Los Angeles Dodgers

Having had the time of my life living in LA and attending countless games, this team is one that I follow closely and cheer for. Coincidentally, the last time they won the World Series was in 1988 – which was the year I was born!

In 2017, they’re looking like one of the hottest teams in the National League and will be tough to beat, although as Dodger fans know, they have the potential to under perform in the playoffs. Fingers crossed for this year!

Why are they called the Dodgers?

Much like their fierce rivals to the North the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers moved West from New York City (Brooklyn) to Los Angeles in after the 1957 season. Prior to this, the team had numerous nicknames including the Bridegrooms, Superbas and finally the Trolley Dodgers in 1911.

The Trolley Dodgers (later shortened to Dodgers), was a homage to the people of Brooklyn who dodged the trolleys that carried people through the busy streets. When the moved, owner Walter O’Malley liked the name and decided to keep it – if only he bought some of that quality public transport to LA with him though!

Why am I excited to see the city?

I’ll keep this short. Getting to catch up with old friends!

In all seriousness though, LA gets a bad rap because of the traffic and fake Hollywood crap. But come talk to me when you’ve spent time in Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey and the South Bay.

YOU WON’T WANT TO LEAVE!

What is a tradition at their ballpark?

Hmm traditions, apart from the actual time to get to the game longer than play itself?

How about when legendary announcer Vin Scully (who retired after the 2016 season) says “It’s time for Dodger baseballllll”!!

Also this song following every home win 🙂

 

Who is a famous fan?

Where do we start? Pretty much every Dodger game you go to you’re bound to see a celebrity reppin’ the team.

However, I’m going to go with the guy who’s LA born, LA bred, and when he dies he’ll be LA dead! Infamous rapper who was a pioneer – ICE CUBE!

A fun/weird fact about the Dodgers

This fact is not that f and is kind of a long story, but Dodger Stadium is built on a part of LA called Chavez Ravine, which was originally home to a large predominantly Mexican American community.

As it was a poor area, in 1951 it fell under the controversial government “National Housing Act”, which would build public housing in the area as the city government would purchase large sums of land right from under the residents feet.

When the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the now government purchased land zoned for “public purchases” was approved controversially approved for development of Dodger Stadium. The rest as they say, is history, but there are still many figures who begrudge the government for moving so many people and letting big a major sporting team take all of this space.

(keep in mind today that LA land prices are some of the highest in the United States – still nothing on Sydney though!)