With the Major League Baseball season now underway, I thought I would celebrate each of the franchise’s and their storied pasts by selecting an All-Time Team for every club.
The teams consist of one player per infield position (1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C), three outfielders, three starting pitchers, and two relief pitchers. Each American League squad also consists of a designated hitter.
So without further ado, here is part 16 of a 30-part series documenting each franchise’s all-time greats.
Los Angeles Dodgers
First Base: Gil Hodges 1943, ’47-61
An eight-time All-Star who once hit four home runs in one game, Hodges played in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles and helped the Dodgers win seven NL pennants and two World Series championships.
A three-time Gold Glove recipient (1957-59), Hodges was recently inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and had his No. 14 jersey retired by the Dodgers (2022).
Second Base: Jackie Robinson 1947-56
Well known as the man who broke baseball’s color barrier, Robinson broke into the league and was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 as the Dodgers won the NL pennant.
A six-time All-Star and the 1949 NL MVP, Robinson twice led the NL in stolen bases and won the batting title in 1949.
A member of the MLB All-Century Team whose No. 42 is retired by all 30 MLB franchises, Robinson helped the Dodgers win the 1955 World Series and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Shortstop: Pee Wee Reese 1940-42, ’46-58
A 10-time All-Star and the 1952 NL stolen bases leader, Reese helped the Dodgers win seven NL pennants and the 1955 World Series during 16 seasons with the team.
After his career, Reese’s No. 1 was retired by the Dodgers and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
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Third Base: Ron Cey 1971-82
Playing 12 seasons in Los Angeles, Cey was named to six All-Star teams and helped the Dodgers win four NL West division titles and four NL pennants.
The highlight of his career came in 1981 when he guided the Dodgers to the World Series title while being named the World Series MVP.
Catcher: Roy Campanella 1948-57
Playing his entire career with the Dodgers, Campanella was named an eight-time All-Star and was the recipient of three NL MVP Awards (1951, ’53, ’55).
The 1953 NL RBI leader helped guide the Dodgers to five NL pennants and the 1955 World Series championship before having his No. 39 jersey retired and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
Outfield: Duke Snider 1947-62
Playing 16 years in Dodger blue, Snider was named to seven All-Star teams while leading the NL in RBI during the 1955 season and home runs in 1956.
The Dodgers’ all-time home runs (389) and RBI leader (1,271), Snider guided the team to seven NL pennants and two World Series championships in 1955 and 1959.
After his career, his No. 4 jersey was retired by the Dodgers and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Outfield: Zack Wheat 1909-26
Playing 18 years with the Brooklyn, Wheat won the 1918 NL batting crown and a pair of NL pennants with the Dodgers before being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1959.
Outfield: Pedro Guerrero 1978-88
During his 11 seasons in LA, Guerrero was named to five All-Star teams and was a 1982 Silver Slugger recipient.
One of three MVPs of the 1981 World Series, he helped the Dodgers win four division titles, two NL pennants, and the 1981 World Series during his tenure.
Starting pitcher: Clayton Kershaw 2008-present
A nine-time All-Star and the 2014 NL MVP, Kershaw has played his entire career with the Dodgers, leading the NL in ERA five times and wins and strikeouts three times each.
A 2020 All-MLB Second Team pick, Kershaw won a Gold Glove, Triple Crown, and Cy Young Award during the 2011 season and added two more Cy Young Awards in 2013-14.
Now in his 15th season, the future Hall of Famer has helped the Dodgers reach the postseason 11 times, winning three NL pennants and the 2020 World Series championship.
Starting pitcher: Sandy Koufax 1955-66
The greatest pitcher of his generation, Koufax won three Cy Young and Triple Crown awards while taking home NL MVP honors in 1963 and leading the league in strikeouts four times.
A seven-time All-Star and member of both the MLB All-Century and All-Time Teams, he also led the NL in wins three times and ERA five times in a row from 1962-66 while tossing four career no-hitters, including a perfect game during the 1965 season.
During his 12 years with the Dodgers, Koufax guided the team to six NL pennants and four World Series titles, being named MVP of the Fall Classic twice (1963, ’65) before having his No. 32 jersey retired and being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1972) following his retirement.
Starting pitcher: Don Drysdale 1956-69
Playing his entire career with the Dodgers, Drysdale racked up nine All-Star selections and three NL strikeout titles while winning the MLB Cy Young Award in 1962.
A Baseball Hall of Fame member (1984) who helped the Dodgers win five NL pennants and three World Series championships, Drysdale holds the MLB record for consecutive scoreless innings thrown – an astounding 58 2/3 in 1968 – and had his No. 53 jersey retired by LA following his career.
Relief pitcher: Eric Gagne 1999-06
A three-time All-Star and two-time NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, Gagne was a dominant closer during his prime seasons with the Dodgers.
During a career year in 2003, Gagne recorded a National League record 55 saves while being named the NL Cy Young Award winner.
Gagne also holds the MLB record for consecutive saves converted, notching 84 in a row from 2002-04 while helping LA reach the playoffs twice.
Relief pitcher: Kenley Jansen 2010-21
A three-time All-Star and 2021 All-MLB Second Team selection, Jansen became one of the game’s best closers during his 12 seasons in Los Angeles.
The two-time NL Reliever of the Year and 2017 NL saves leader, Jansen is a member of the 300 saves club (350) and helped the Dodgers reach the playoffs nine times, winning three NL pennants and the 2020 World Series.
