The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long and illustrious history of great players, both those that have been a part of the team for the entirety of their career and those who have made the jump to the team at the tail end of their career. Determining who the best player the Dodgers ever had is an impossible task, with so many greats to choose from. From Hall of Famers to MVPs, it’s hard to make an objective decision. However, there are certain players that stand out from the rest, and in this article, we’ll be taking a look at who the best player the Dodgers ever had is.
Sandy Koufax
Arguably the most iconic player in Dodgers history is Sandy Koufax. A left-handed pitcher, Koufax spent his entire career with the Dodgers, playing from 1955 to 1966. During that time, he was a six-time All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award Winner, and a three-time World Series Champion. Koufax was also a three-time MVP, a seven-time ERA leader, and a five-time strikeout leader. He was an incredibly dominant pitcher, and his career 2.76 ERA and 2,396 strikeouts still stand as Dodgers records. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, and his number 32 jersey was retired by the Dodgers. There’s no doubt that Koufax is one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Jackie Robinson
The Dodgers’ other iconic player is Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson began his career with the Dodgers in 1947, and he quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league. He was a six-time All-Star, the 1947 Rookie of the Year, and the 1949 MVP. He also led the Dodgers to six World Series appearances, and he was the first black player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. Robinson was a pioneer and a trailblazer, and his legacy lives on to this day. He was an incredibly important figure in baseball history, and he is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Roy Campanella
Another player who deserves recognition as one of the best the Dodgers ever had is Roy Campanella. Campanella was a catcher for the Dodgers from 1948 to 1957, and he was a three-time MVP, a five-time All-Star, and a nine-time Gold Glove Winner. He led the Dodgers to five World Series appearances, and he was an integral part of their 1955 World Series Championship. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969, and his number 39 was retired by the Dodgers. Campanella was an incredible player, and he is certainly one of the best the Dodgers ever had.
Duke Snider
Another Hall of Famer who deserves recognition as one of the best players the Dodgers ever had is Duke Snider. Snider was an outfielder for the Dodgers from 1947 to 1962, and he was an eight-time All-Star, a two-time World Series Champion, and a two-time home run leader. During his time with the Dodgers, he was one of the most feared hitters in the league, and he was known as “The Duke of Flatbush.” He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, and his number 4 was retired by the Dodgers. Snider is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale was another legendary pitcher for the Dodgers, and he deserves recognition as one of the best players the Dodgers ever had. Drysdale spent his entire career with the Dodgers, playing from 1956 to 1969. He was a six-time All-Star, a three-time World Series Champion, and a two-time Cy Young Award Winner. He was also an incredibly dominant pitcher, with a career 2.95 ERA and 2,486 strikeouts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984, and his number 53 was retired by the Dodgers. Drysdale was an incredible pitcher, and he is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela was another iconic Dodgers player, and he is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had. Valenzuela was a left-handed pitcher for the Dodgers from 1980 to 1990, and he was a six-time All-Star, a two-time World Series Champion, and a two-time ERA leader. He also won both the 1981 Rookie of the Year Award and the 1981 Cy Young Award. He was an incredibly dominant pitcher, and his career 3.31 ERA and 1,844 strikeouts are still Dodgers records. Valenzuela was an incredible player, and he is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw is another player who deserves recognition as one of the best players the Dodgers ever had. Kershaw has been with the Dodgers since 2008, and he has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. He is a seven-time All-Star, a three-time Cy Young Award Winner, and a three-time NL ERA leader. He is also a three-time NL strikeout leader, and he was the 2014 NL MVP. Kershaw is an incredible pitcher, and he is certainly one of the best players the Dodgers ever had.
Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza is another player who deserves recognition as one of the best the Dodgers ever had. Piazza was a catcher for the Dodgers from 1992 to 1998, and he was a six-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger Winner. He was an incredibly dominant hitter, and his career .332 batting average and .608 slugging percentage are still Dodgers records. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, and his number 31 was retired by the Dodgers. Piazza was an incredible player, and he is certainly one of the best the Dodgers ever had.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had many great players throughout their history, and it’s impossible to determine who the best player the Dodgers ever had is. However, there are certain players who stand out from the rest, and in this article, we have taken a look at who the best player the Dodgers ever had is. From Hall of Famers like Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson to modern stars like Clayton Kershaw and Mike Piazza, there are many players who could be considered the best the Dodgers ever had.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had many great players throughout their history, and it’s impossible to determine who the best player the Dodgers ever had is. However, there are certain players who stand out from the rest, and in this article, we have taken a look at who the best player the Dodgers ever had is. From Hall of Famers like Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson to modern stars like Clayton Kershaw and Mike Piazza, there are many players who could be considered the best the Dodgers ever had.
The Best Players the Dodgers Ever Had
- Sandy Koufax
- Jackie Robinson
- Roy Campanella
- Duke Snider
- Don Drysdale
- Fernando Valenzuela
- Clayton Kershaw
- Mike Piazza