Henry Roldán
The Los Angeles Dodgers, formerly based in Brooklyn, are one of eight MLB teams founded before 1900. As a result, the wealth of players that have passed through its ranks is countless; however, some have excelled more than others, so today we bring you those players who are considered the greatest Dodgers players in the history of the franchise.
5.- Greatest Dodgers Players of All Time: Duke Snider
Although his numbers have gone a bit unnoticed because he played during the same time as Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, Snider is considered one of the best hitters to ever wear a Dodgers uniform, both Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
In 16 seasons with the franchise (1947-1962) Snider hit more than 40 home runs in four consecutive seasons, and got at least 100 RBI in six seasons. These records keep him as the organization’s all-time leader in home runs (389), runs batted in (1,271) and extra bases (814).
Snider joined the Dodgers for seven All-Star Games and won two World Series; moreover, his #4 has been retired by the organization and in 1980 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
4.- Greatest Dodgers Players of All Time: Clayton Kershaw
Despite being active, Kershaw will surely be inducted into the Hall of Fame soon after he retires. We’re talking about the most dominant pitcher in the Major Leagues in the 2010 era, and one of the best players in the history of the franchise.
Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young and MVP award winner, is a lock for a spot on our list. Among his achievements are leading the senior circuit in ERA five times and earning the Triple Crown of pitching in 2011. (248 K, 2.28 ERA, 21 JG).
The right-hander, who has 14 seasons with the Dodgers, has also played in eight All-Star Games, has one World Series title and, according to baseball-reference, is the organization’s WAR leader with 69.1.
3.- Greatest Dodgers Players of All Time: Don Drysdale
Drysdale is considered one of the most aggressive pitchers in history, but not because of his temper, but because of how he attacked hitters on the inside zone of the plate. There’s a reason he hit opponents 154 times and ranks 19th all-time. While this number may appear to be negative, his aggressiveness helped him become a dominant pitcher and strikeout pitcher. In 14 seasons with the Dodgers, Drysdale finished as the National League strikeout leader three times.
The right-hander was also a workhorse on the mound, as he led the league in starts four times, all with 40+, and also pitched over 300 innings four times.
Drysdale won the Cy Young Award once, won three World Series titles, had his number 53 retired by the Dodgers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
2.- Greatest Dodgers Players of All Time: Jackie Robinson
In just 10 seasons with the Dodgers, Robinson made an impact that no one has ever made in the history of the major leagues.
The first player to break the color barrier in the majors was able to overcome all the pressure and criticism with undeniable talent, to the point that in his first season, he was named the 1947 National League Rookie of the Year.
From then on, only his talent, power, and speed would speak for him, as he not only twice led the league in stolen bases, but also batted over.300 six times, including a.342 average in 1949. That same year, he won his only MVP and finished his career by participating in six All-Star Games.
Robinson’s stint in MLB left an enduring mark, prompting Major League Baseball to retire his number 42 from all teams and dedicate a day in his honor in 1997. He has also been a member of the Cooperstown Hall of Fame since 1962.
1.- Greatest Dodgers Players of All Time: Sandy Koufax
When we talk about Koufax, we don’t just talk about him as the number one best player in Dodgers history, but also as one of the best pitchers of all time in the Major Leagues.
Although he had to retire at 30 due to arthritis in his elbow, 12 seasons (1955-1966) were enough for him to take over the Major Leagues and be the most dominant pitcher of his era. The right-hander is one of only three pitchers in history to win three Triple Crowns in pitching, a feat he achieved in 1963, 1965 and 1966, the same seasons in which he unanimously won the Cy Young Award, which at the time was shared between the two leagues.
Despite the immense pain in his elbow, Koufax led the National League in effectiveness, consecutively, in his last five years on the mound. Moreover, in his last two seasons, he was first in innings pitched by surpassing 300 and ended up striking out more than 300 opponents on three occasions.
In 1963, he was the league MVP, participated in seven All-Star Games, won three World Series being MVP in two of them, and in 1972 he was inducted to the Hall of Fame. His number 32 is retired by the Dodgers.
