The 5 Best Moments In Los Angeles Dodgers History

It has been 51 years since the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to the smoggy splendor that is Elysian Park and played their first game on April 18, 1958 as the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It did not take the new Los Angeles Dodgers long to make their mark on Major League Baseball, not to mention anger plenty of New York grandfathers (mine included) at their abandoning the Big Apple.

After just one season, Los Angeles found themselves in the grip of Baseball World Series Fever. Since then, the Dodgers have brought season after season of great baseball excitement and fun to the heart of L.A.

Here is a quick run down memory lane of some of the more memorable moments in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

October 8, 1959 - Los Angeles Dodgers Win World Series

5. October 8, 1959: The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago White Sox and win the World Series, 4 games to 2. While playing in Brooklyn for over 70 years the Dodgers only won one World Championship. In takes them only two years to win there first in Los Angeles.

Game 5 still holds the record for highest attendance at a baseball game, with just over 92,000 fans. This was also the first game played at the Memorial Coliseum.

September 9, 1965 - Sandy Koufax Pitches Perfect Game

4. September 9, 1965 Sandy Koufax pitches perfect game. On a Thursday night in Los Angles, Sandy Koufax pitched a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs.

This is Sandy's fourth career no-hitter and the only perfect game in Dodgers history. Koufax struck out 14 during the game.

October 15, 1988 - Kirk Gibson Wins Game One Of World Series With Walk-Off Home Run

3. Trailing the heavily favored Oakland A's 4 to 3 entering the 9th inning , the Dodgers stage a two out rally to win the game with one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history.

Kirk Gibson, suffering from a stomach virus along with hamstring and knee injuries, is sent up to pinch hit. He quickly gets behind in the count, 0–2, but receives two outside pitches, fouls off, and then gets another ball to work to a 3–2 count.

On the last pitch he swings with pure upper body strength and knocks out a home run to give the Dodgers a 5-4 victory. Kirk Gibson limps around the bases as his teammates rejoice on the field.

It is a Hollywood ending that could only happen in Los Angeles. The win propels the Dodgers to a 4-1 series victory in one of the biggest upsets in World Series history.

October 2, 2004 - Steve Finley Walk-Off Grand Slam

2. Steve Finley hits walk off grand slam to win National League West title. Trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the 9th inning against the rival San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers rally to tie the score at three before Steve Finley sends the Dodgers to the postseason with his grand slam.

September 18, 2006 - 4 Homeruns In a Row

1. Trailing the San Diego Padres 9-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Kent, JD Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson hit four consecutive home runs on four consecutive pitches.

The Dodgers win the game in the bottom of the tenth on a home run by Nomar Garciaparra.