The long road to the LA Dodgers' naming (2024)

December 1st, 2021

LOS ANGELES -- Why are the Dodgers called the Dodgers?

Some archives cite that the franchise, located in Brooklyn, N.Y., began as the Brooklyn Atlantics in 1883, recycling the name of the previous Brooklyn team that had failed. The club, however, lists its beginning in 1884 as the Grays (for the color of their uniform), the city name of Brooklyn or the Church City Nine (Brooklyn was known as the Church City).

According to the club, the name originated in 1896 as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Heavy construction of electric trolley tracks in front of Eastern Park caused fans to dodge the trolleys to reach the park. Those fans became known as Trolley Dodgers and the team took on the name, which was shortened to Dodgers.

After six of their players were married during and after the 1888 season, the club was called the Bridegrooms. In '91, after John Montgomery Ward became manager, the nickname “Ward’s Wonders” was used. In 1893, Dave Foutz became manager and the team’s nickname became “Foutz’s Fillies.”

But at various times the Dodgers had multiple nicknames. The arrival of Ned Hanlon as manager led to the Dodgers also being called the “Brooklyn Superbas,” drawing a link to the popular vaudeville act at the time by the Brothers Hanlon (no relation) called the Superba.

From 1915-31, the team was also known as the Robins after manager Wilbert Robinson. From 1931-57, sportswriters often referred to the team as “The Flock.” More widely known was the nickname from 1937-57 of “Bums,” or “Dem Bums,” derived from a caricature by newspaper cartoonist William Mullin. The term was considered endearing if spoken by a Dodgers fan, but derisive if uttered by anyone rooting against the Dodgers.

The first year “Dodgers” was written on the club’s uniform was 1933, and the club brought the nickname when it moved to Los Angeles for the '58 season.

The long road to the LA Dodgers' naming (2024)

FAQs

The long road to the LA Dodgers' naming? ›

The long road to the LA Dodgers' naming

How did the Los Angeles Dodgers get their name? ›

Origin of the nickname

The Dodgers' official history reports that the term "Trolley Dodgers" was attached to the Brooklyn ballclub due to the complex maze of trolley cars that weaved its way through the borough of Brooklyn.

What is the derogatory name for the Dodgers? ›

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dem Bums – From the Brooklyn years. Reference from the team's problems during the era getting a world championship. Originally derogatory, Dodgers fans later adopted it as a term of affection.

What was the Brooklyn Dodgers' nickname? ›

The team's name derived from the reputed skill of Brooklyn residents at evading the city's trolley streetcars. The name is a shortened form of one of their former names, the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers, and they later earned the respectful nickname Dem Bums.

What were the Dodgers called before they were the Dodgers? ›

Founded in 1883, the Dodgers were originally based in Brooklyn, New York, and were known as the Atlantics. The team joined the American Association in 1884 and won the league pennant in 1889.

Why do they call them the LA Dodgers? ›

According to the club, the name originated in 1896 as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. Heavy construction of electric trolley tracks in front of Eastern Park caused fans to dodge the trolleys to reach the park. Those fans became known as Trolley Dodgers and the team took on the name, which was shortened to Dodgers.

What was Dodgers real name? ›

Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger, is a character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. Dodger is a pickpocket, so called for his skill and cunning in that respect. He is the leader of the gang of child criminals, trained by the elderly fa*gin.

How do Mexicans say "dodgers"? ›

Previous generations of Central American immigrants struggled to say “Dodgers” so it came out sounding like “Doyers.” “My parents, my uncles, they all say 'Doyers,'” Garcia said. “My brother and I are the first Mexican-Americans in the family, and we say 'Dodgers.

What do Dodger fans call themselves? ›

They call themselves the Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew. Among the team's ardent fanbase, they express their passion for the game in an especially Angeleno way.

What is Dodger slang for? ›

A dodger is a rascally, sneaky person who lies and tricks their way out of responsibilities or obligations. A tax dodger, for example, schemes to avoid paying taxes.

Why are the numbers red on Dodgers uniforms? ›

The claim is that the innovation came about as an innovation for television audiences, for identifying the batter when watching from a fixed camera position.

What is a Dodgers mascot? ›

The Dodgers do not have a mascot and although what would appear to be one has been seen at Dodger Stadium for several years, the team views the dressed-up personnel as performance characters.

What did Dodger Stadium used to be called? ›

The stadium was also the home of the Los Angeles Angels from 1962 through 1965 and was referred to as Chavez Ravine Stadium (or just "Chavez Ravine"), after the geographic feature in which the stadium sits. It is sometimes referred to as “Blue Heaven on Earth,” a nickname coined by Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.

What was the Dodgers first name? ›

The team known today as the Los Angeles Dodgers formed in 1883 and, over time, came to be named or nicknamed Brooklyn Base Ball Club, Grays, Atlantics, Bridegrooms, Grooms, Superbras and Robins (see Los Angeles Dodgers Franchise History).

Who owns the LA Dodgers? ›

Mark Walter, Chairman

He is the chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. A business leader who continues to set new standards, Walter is engaged in areas that include financial services, insurance, sports, media, fashion, energy, infrastructure and real estate.

What is a trolly dodger? ›

The term "Trolley Dodgers" was attached to the Brooklyn ballclub due to the complex maze of trolley cars that weaved its way through the borough of Brooklyn. The name was then shortened to just "Dodgers." During the 1890s, other popular nicknames were Ward's Wonders, Foutz's Fillies and Hanlon's Superbas.

What was Dodger Stadium originally called? ›

Why did the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants move to California? ›

After the 1957 season, Dodgers owner big Walter O'Malley decided to move the team to Los Angeles for financial and other reasons. Along the way, he convinced Giants owner Horace Stoneham (who was considering moving his team to Minnesota) to preserve the rivalry by bringing his team to California as well.

How did the Padres get their name? ›

It was the Franciscan Friars -- Father Junípero Serra and Don Caspar de Portolá -- who founded the first Spanish colony in southern California. “Padre,” of course, is Spanish for “Father” or “Friar” and the name stems directly from the priests who established the first Spanish Missions in California in 1769.

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