L.A. Dodgers Announce Their 50th Anniversary All-Time Los Angeles Team

The Los Angeles Dodgers released the results of a fan poll to determine the greatest Dodgers since the franchise moved from Brooklyn in 1958. The fan survey started in September 2007 and recently concluded. The 15-player squad was announced to the fans in attendance Thursday at the Dodgers' home finale. 

First Base—Steve Garvey

An obvious selection, considering his 1974 National League MVP, multiple Gold Glove awards, and clutch power-hitting with a fantastic endurance record. No one comes close in L.A. history, though you might check back in about a decade as James Loney might give "The Garv" a run for this title.

Second Base—Davey Lopes

Another runaway selection, the speedster and slick fielding Dodger captain whose leadoff hitting sparked the very successful Dodger teams of the 1970s. Lopes was converted to second after beginning his career as a center fielder. Steve Sax followed Lopes and was a similar player, but Davey's leadership skills were comparable to Brooklyn legendary shortstop Pee Wee Reese.

Shortstop—Maury Wills

L.A.'s fleet-footed leadoff hitter from the 1960s, Maury reintroduced speed to Major League Baseball with his 104 stolen bases in a 1962 season, earning him the National League MVP.  Maury played on three World Championship squads in '59, '63, and '65.

He's the only player worthy of breaking up the record-setting infield, denying the player with the longest service to the L.A. Dodgers, Bill Russell, and his record 2,181 games played.

Third Base—Ron Cey

The powerful Penguin plugged a hole that had plagued the Dodgers since their move west. An excellent defensive player, Cey was a clutch power-hitter, with 228 career home runs as a Dodger, and he shared a portion of the 1981 World Series MVP award.

Adrian Beltre was on track to supplant the Penguin before he left under questionable circumstances.

Catcher—Mike Piazza

Drafted in the 62nd round as a favor to his godfather, Dodger legend Tommy Lasorda, Piazza rewrote the record books for offensive production, both average and power, out of the catcher's position. He remains the only Dodger to hit a home run completely out of Dodger Stadium.

Underrated as a defender, Mike was excellent at working with his pitchers and a wall protecting the plate. Mike Scioscia and Steve Yeager were excellent defenders but could not touch Piazza's offensive production.

Outfield—Duke Snider

This Hall of Fame center fielder created the majority of his legacy in Brooklyn. The Duke of Flatbush recorded the first Dodger hits in the Coliseum and Dodger Stadium.

Duke is the Dodger franchise-record holder with 389 home runs. One can only wonder how many homers Snider would have hit with a right field in the Coliseum that didn't masquerade as a prairie.

Dusty Baker and Pedro Guerrero are worthy of serious consideration.

Outfield—Reggie Smith

Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe Ferguson in 1976, the switch-hitting Smith became a middle of the order keystone, surrounded by Garvey and Cey, who became the first quartet of 30-home-run hitters along with Dusty Baker.

Reggie provided his leadership and bat to the Dodgers through the 1981 World Championship team. Raul Mondesti is another outfielder that could have an argument made on his behalf for inclusion in this squad.

Outfield—Rick Monday

Considered a villain to this day in Montreal, Monday's home run sent the Dodgers to the 1981 World Series.

A clutch-hitting center fielder, Rick may always be best remembered for a defensive play he made in Dodger Stadium while still with the Chicago Cubs. Rick ran over from his position in center and saved the American flag from being burned by a couple of protesters in shallow left.

Currently a Dodger broadcaster, Rick was acquired for Bill Buckner, who, along with Wally Moon, were serious candidates for this team.

Starting Pitcher—Sandy Koufax

The greatest Dodger pitcher of all time, no questions allowed. Elbow injuries are the only thing that kept Sandy from completely rewriting MLB's record book.

Strikeout records, no-hitters, Cy Young Awards, and World Series victories are among the feats that earned Koufax the honor of having his uniform No. 32 to be one of the first retired, along with Jackie Robinson's 42 and Roy Campenella's 39.

One can only wonder what else Sandy could have done if afforded modern medical techniques.

Starting Pitcher—Orel Hershiser

This 1988 Cy Young Award winner broke Don Drysdale's record for consecutive scoreless innings with 59.

"Bulldog" broke into the majors in 1984 and quickly became one of the Dodgers' most consistent starters. From 1987 to 1989, no one tossed more innings each season than Hershiser. He was also in the top three in NL ERA five times from 1984 1989.

He was victorious in four playoff games with one save, that save coming in the exciting extra-inning affair against the Mets that helped the Dodgers into the 1988 World Series, which Orel closed out with a Game Five win in Oakland.

Starting Pitcher—Fernando Valenzuela

The left-handed Mexican phenom triggered "Fernandomania" throughout Los Angeles and beyond. Fernando could do it all: pitch, field, and hit. Leading with a nasty screwball, he did it all with the calm demeanor of an assassin.

In the World Championship season of 1981, "Toro" became the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year. A six time all-star from 1981-1986, Valenzuela also tossed a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1990.

Fernando continues with the team serving as one of the Spanish language broadcasters.

Starting Pitcher—Don Sutton

The Dodgers' all-time leader with 233 wins, 550 games, 3,814.0 innings, 2,696 strikeouts, and 52 shutouts. Sutton was a double-digit winner in 15 of his 16 seasons in Los Angeles.

A Hall of Famer, Sutton's No. 20 was retired in August 1998, a month after his induction to Cooperstown. Sutton served as the Dodgers' ace and teamed with other great Los Angeles hurlers such as Claude Osteen, Bill Singer, Andy Messersmith, and Burt Hooton.

Starting Pitcher—Johnny Podres

While best known as the winning pitcher in Game Seven of the 1955 World Series, which gave Brooklyn its only World Championship, Podres pitched in Los Angeles for over eight seasons. Podres won game two of the 1963 World Series, which saw the Dodgers sweep the Yankees.

Valid arguments can be made for Don Drysdale, Ramon Martinez, and Bob Welch for inclusion in this squad.

Relief Pitcher—Eric Gagné

Over a three-year span, no reliever has been more dominating. Eric recorded save totals of 52, 55, and 45 from 2002 to 2004, including a record 84-consecutive saves from Aug. 14, 2002 through July 3, 2004.

Gagné won the 2003 NL Cy Young Award with a dominating 1.20 ERA while recording a perfect 55-for-55 in save opportunities. His excellence kept fans around for the ninth-inning spectacular known as "Game Over," with an entrance to the opening chords of “Welcome to the Jungle.”

Over the 50 seasons of Dodger baseball in Los Angeles, there have been numerous outstanding players, including plenty not mentioned in this article. The Dodger fans should consider themselves quite fortunate to have been able to enjoy the talents of these and many more players and championship teams.

It would be quite fitting for the 2008 edition of the Dodgers to add to this championship legacy.