Most of us who have been Dodger fans for years have loved the classic look of the Dodger uniform. Next to the Yankee pinstripes, it is probably one of the more iconic uniforms in sports. Football uniforms and basketball uniforms have morphed a lot over the years, but baseball jerseys usually keep their team’s traditions. Even the Rams horns have changed drastically on the Rams helmets.
The 1890’s version of the Dodgers. The Brooklyn Bridegrooms, so named because so many of the players had recently married. Notice that they have collars on them, and they are laced up the front ending in what looks like a string tie. High knee stockings. Too bad they did not have color photography back then. Have no idea what color the lettering was. The guy in the suit is manager, Bill McGunnigle.
By 1910 the look had changed quite a bit. No lacing up the front. Buttons were concealed by the flap reading Brooklyn horizontally. They were no longer the Bridegrooms, but rather the Superbas, coined by sports writer after a popular Vaudville troupe of the day. In 1911, they became known as the Trolley Dodgers, due to the preponderance of trolley cars in Brooklyn one had to dodge on a daily basis. That was shortened to simply Dodgers in 1912. When Wilbert Robinson took over in 1914, they were called the Robins. But they were also called the Dodgers. This was the case until Robbie left in 1931. You might notice that the belt buckle is off to the side. Players of this era wore it like that to prevent injury. Also, despite having buttons, this is a pullover-type jersey. They were around until 1939 and then returned in the ’70s.
In 1916 the team adopted this plaid version. The plaid was blue in color and had the large classic Brooklyn B on the left side of the chest. The jersey was used both at home and on the road in 1916, but then simply on the road in 1917. This patriotic jersey with the American flag and pinstripes was used at home in 1917.
This road uniform using red piping was used for only one season. I think the red is pretty cool. You have double piping up the front and around the neckline and also on the belt loops and the trouser leg. Babe Herman was the highlight reel guy in 29 batting .381.
For the first time, Dodgers is across the chest. Classic Brooklyn B on the sleeve and there are pinstripes. Blue piping on the front and around the neckline. This was not the first time they had used pinstripes. They had worn them first in 1911 and would be on and off for the next 25 years. Also interesting is the fact that Dodgers was on both home and road, and then the next year disappeared until 1938.
This uniform lasted a year or so. Red piping on the front and around the block lettered Brooklyn.
Drastic change as Dodger blue became Dodger green. The grey of the road uniform was replaced with a tan color. Glad this one only lasted one year.
Babe Ruth joined the Dodgers as a coach in 1938. He was under the impression he would be given a chance to manage down the road, but it was not to be. The classic Dodger look was just starting. This color combination would be the norm from 38 on with some tweaks. This uni sold for $310,000 at auction in the 2000s. The cap at the time was white with stripes and a blue visor. Soon it would be its basic blue with the white B.
When they began playing night games in 1938, execs were convinced that a reflective material like this satin uniform, used only in night games, would allow fans to better see the players at night. This uniform made of satin was only used in 1944. Notice the swoosh underlining Brooklyn. The Dodgers began doing that with their home uniforms in 1938 and it has been there ever since. By far the longest of any team doing that. The Dodgers wore a throwback version of this uniform at home in 2011.
Wartime jerseys had very few changes. The 45 road jersey was grey and read Brooklyn on the chest. Most uniforms during the war had some sort of patch on them. Although you cannot see it, a stars and stripes patch is on the left sleeve. It would be 2 years before Jackie broke the color barrier.
The Dodgers started wearing red numerals on the front of the jersey in early 1952. That same look is with us today. This is the beginning of the classic Dodger uniform. This is the version they wore winning their first World Series in 1955. The Dodgers were the first team to wear numbers on the front of their uniforms.
The team moved to Los Angeles in 1958. But the uniform stayed true to its roots. The road uniforms now read Los Angeles instead of Brooklyn. In 1959 they won their first Championship in LA in their second year. It took them 65 years to do it in Brooklyn.
For a short time in the early ’60s, the Dodger minor league players wore letters instead of numbers. I would think this would get pretty confusing.
The Dodgers went to a more simplified design in 1965 removing the piping in the front and around the collar. Must have been the right move since they beat the Twins in the World Series for their 3rd LA title.
Little change since they first added numbers in the front in 1952. What is noticeable about the uniform is what it is not. It is not the double knit pullover-style jersey that most teams adopted in the ’70s. The elastic waist is not there. That eliminated the need for a belt. It should be known that only the Yankees and Dodgers did not adopt those uniforms. LA it seems began wearing the players’ names on the backs of the uniforms in 1972.
A very subtle change in the 88 road uniform. Striping on the sleeve and also around the Dodgers script. Another uniform was worn by a World Series winner. It would be the last one for a long while.
Patch on the left shoulder signifies the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier. They still had the player’s names on the back, but that would change for a few years under McCourt when he had the names removed. It was also the last season of the O’Malley family’s ownership. In March of 1998, O’Malley sold the team to Fox ending 50 years with the team.
Alternate or 3rd jersey. Many teams started doing this and would use them on special occasions. Dodgers would wear this at home or on the road. It did not last long, they went back to traditional uniforms and only use blue jersey’s now during spring training. Patch commemorates the 40th season in LA.
Notice the addition of LA to the right sleeve of the road jersey. On the 99 jerseys, the patch on the left sleeve was to honor some Dodger legends who were recognized during the season. There were 18 different heroes patches honoring Campy, Cey, Drysdale, Garvey, Gibson, Hodges, Koufax, Lasorda, Mota, Newcombe, Reese, Robinson, Russell, Scioscia, Snider, Sutton, and Wills.
2004 Eric Gagne uniform. Worn during the playoffs in 2004. Notice the interlocking LA has moved to the left sleeve. The team lost to the Cardinals in the NLDS. The uniform since then has remained pretty much the same except for patches worn when a former star passed away, or major league milestones.
Players’ uniforms today are very collectible. I myself have several different jerseys. I have a 63 Koufax uniform. no name on the back as it should be, 55 Robinson, 88 Gibson World Series jersey, a camo Seager, Bellinger and Kershaw road jerseys, and an Adrian Gonzalez home jersey. I also have an old woolen Brooklyn jersey from 1935. Not real of course, that would be really expensive.
Retiring jerseys for Hall of Fame players is very in vogue. The Dodgers have retired numbers, 1, Reese, 2, Lasorda, 4, Snider, 19, Gilliam, 20, Sutton, 24, Alston, 32, Koufax, 39 Campanella, 42, Robinson, and 53, Drysdale. Robinson has the added honor of his number being retired across all of baseball. With his election over the weekend to the Hall, I hope the Dodgers afford the same honor to Gil Hodges of retiring #14. No disrespect to Kike, 14 will always be Gil’s number.
Discussion (14)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Just watched Bauer launching a golf ball at Top Golf and getting a reading of 94mph to impress his mates.
I’ve been in his corner since the whole fiasco began, but couldn’t help but think this was a crazy thing to do considering he hadn’t warmed up properly.
Seems a crazy thing to do when you have so much riding on your arm.
Would still like to see him in the Rotation though – we have a big hole there at the moment.
Correa is going to say the right things and graciously move to third base with the expectation that he would slide over to short in 2023 after Trea’s contract expires. However, I think the Dodgers will trade for Chapman instead of signing Correa with the hopes that Busch or Vargas can replace Chapman in 2024 after Chapman’s contract expires.
The Dodgers could use a 4th outfielder in 2022 and maybe 2023 and that outfielder would be a lefty bat if Chapman or Correa become Dodgers. They need depth at third and the outfield until Pages, Outman, Vargas, Busch prove themselves ready.
I like the speed that an infield of Correa, Trea, and Lux would provide along with Muncy not being a base clogger.
If Dodgers sign Correa they could package Trea and pitching prospects/Gonsolin for a solid #2 or #3 pitcher with one year left on a contract.
Freddie Freeman is 32 years old. Corey Seager turns 28 in April. Why would they sign Freeman to a 5 or 6 year deal at over $30MM/year if they wouldn’t resign their own player who plays more of a premium position than 1B to a similar deal but for more years? That doesn’t make any sense. Unless Freeman takes 4 years or less I don’t see him being a Dodger next year, and I doubt that Freeman would do that.
Kris Bryant is a bad glove at every position that he plays.
What the Dodgers need more than anything else is starting pitchers and I think that’s what the team will concentrate on. Carlos Rodon is the only free agent starter out there who interests me and he is injury prone and had a poor second half last year. I expect them to trade for someone.
You don’t move the best RF in baseball to 2B. You play either Lux or Taylor at 2B.
I don’t see Correa ever as a Dodger. I think first base is covered especially when Mad Max Muncy is healthy so no Freeman (love his bat and the whole package) Kris Bryant makes a lot of since giving he can play 3rd and outfield if he can be had on a 2 year contract. Possibility is a starting pitcher on a one year contract.
Then if we need something at the trade deadline you do a deal.
Dodgers Coaching Staff Set to Remain Intact for Next Season
by Staff Writer
While not much is going on in baseball, even more nothing has happened for the Dodgers and the coaching staff. After scares involving bench coach Bob Geren and first base coach Clayton McCullough — both of whom interviewed for the Mets’ open managers job — Dave Roberts’ staff will remain intact for the 2022 season.
…and yes, that includes Dave Roberts for the folks incessantly on the back of the LA manager.
Expected 2022 Coaching Staff
Dave Roberts – manager
Bob Geren – bench coach
Mark Prior – pitching coach
Connor McGuiness – assistant pitching coach
Clayton McCullough – first base coach
Dino Ebel – third base coach
Robert Van Scoyoc – hitting coach
Brant Brown – hitting coach
Aaron Bates – assistant hitting coach
Josh Bard – Bullpen coach
Danny Lehmann – game planning coordinator
Roberts would currently enter the 2022 season as a lame duck manager. The former National League Manager of the Year is entering the final year of a four-year extension signed after the 2018 World Series. He’s expressed hope for a contract extension this offseason, and LA’s president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, has firmly stated that he expects Doc to be the manager for a long time. Still, nothing has come together, even with a bit of extra free time with the MLB lockout freezing player movement.
Third base is Taylor’s weakest position. I think they’d rather have JT at third and CT3 at DH on opening day if that’s what it comes to.
I assume you have Belli at first and Muncy at second?
If we sign a starting outfielder and Lux is in center does that mean Pollock rides the bench?
I’m never going to say never when it comes to Andrew Friedman. Now, I don’t believe Carlos Correa will be a Dodger and I don’t see him signing a contract to playa position other than Shortstop next season. But, I’m not going to discount it 100% either.
If they miss out on other big bats (Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant), I could see them doing a Bauer type deal for Correa. In this scenario, Correa plays shortstop, Turner stays at second, Turner and Rios split 3B and most of the DH duties. Lux is a lefty utility guy and and CT3 a righty. Between the two, they cover all positions in case of injury. If you asked me, he makes way more sense than Freddie, except Freddie is a stud of a hitter and a great defensive first baseman. Unfortunately, you move Muncy to 2B, who will be solid, but never a defensive asset at that position.
As far as May is concerned, I haven’t read anything to suggest that he won’t be a starter at the end of the season. I think it’s the norm for a starting pitcher to resume starting after Tommy John surgery. He had surgery very early in the year, so there’s plenty of time for recover and build up. It also make more sense to have him make as many starts as possible so he isn’t overly stressed the following year.
I’m betting that signing Rodon is their No1 priority, but there’s trade options out there as well.
As far as Suzuki goes, I think he’s in play because he’ll be a decent value type outfielder like AJ Pollock and I don’t think it’s out of the question to move Mookie to second base if they think Suzuki can hit better than their current options.
Lot’s of flexibility means lots of options.
There are a handful of teams that are always in the playoffs and therefore play/pitch more innings. It’s no longer a 154 game regular season followed by two teams going straight to the World Series. Basically, I don’t bother myself about how many innings a pitcher throws. It is what it is.
2022 Prediction 1 on left and prediction 2 on right:
RF Betts — Betts
2B Lux — Lux
SS Trea — Trea
CF Bellinger — Bellinger
C Smith — Smith
1B Muncy — Muncy
3B Chapman — Correa
LF Pederson — Pollock
DH Justin — Justin
Rotation: Buehler, Urias, Price, Gonsolin, Jackson, Miller, Pepiot, White, May — same
Today would have been Bill Buckner’s 73rd birthday. RIP Billy Buck’s. Today is the anniversary of the Dodgers signing Sandy Koufax. Astute move that was.
dodgerrick – It wasn’t that long ago that players went into ST to get into shape…Now they’re already buffed from new scientific work out programs!!! And just like that Lat, hammie etc. problems during ST or in the season..
Fun read about the old uniforms. Great photos. I played during the tail-end of the old horse blanket wool uni’s for a year, before they ushered in the polyester. As uniforms get send down through the minors, the hand-me-downs have the big leaguer’s name stitched in who wore the pants and tops. Richie Allen was a larger-than-life character in the Phillies organization and got kid glove treatment. I scored his old wool home pants and enjoyed wearing them because they were lined with white silk.
Old Bear, you and other Dodger historians better than I, likely know this story but I didn’t. I’m reading “The Baseball 100” by Joe Posnanski. I like Posnanski. While I don’t agree with his ordering of the 100 players, he clearly has stated that it’s his ranking and more of a conversation starter for baseball fans. Koufax at 70 is an example. Anyway, I enjoy his stories. I know a lot about most of the players he writes about but some I’d never heard of like Bullet Joe Rogan and info on Sadaharu Oh. But even with guys I’m familiar with, he adds some interesting tidbits that I didn’t know. Here’s one:
On the great Phillie Robin Roberts (who I actually had the pleasure of hitting BP off of once in spring training) Posnanski writes about meeting and talking with Roberts, he writes
“ In 1951, the Dodgers and the Giants came down to the wire at the end of the season, and they had a 3 games playoff that ended with Bobby Thompson hitting a home run and Russ Hodges screaming “the Giants win the pennant”.
“What you might not know is that the Dodgers had to win their last game against the Phillies to even force the playoff. And it didn’t look like they would. The Phillies led the game 6-1 early and 8-5 going into the 8th inning. But the Dodgers came back to tie it.”
“And when Manager Eddie Sawyer called for Roberts to pitch relief and Dodger Manager Charlie Dressen called in Don Newcombe to match up. Talk about a different time. Roberts and Newcomb had pitched the day before. They were on zero days rest.”
“The two greats matched zeroes for 5 innings. Finally, in the bottom of the 13th, Newcomb was spent and was replaced by a pinch-hitter. But Roberts went on.”
“In the 14th, Roberts faced Jackie Robinson. In all, Jackie faced Robin Roberts 176 times – more than he faced any other pitcher. They had many epic battles. Robinson won this one. He crushed a long homer run, and won that game.”
And how did Roberts remember such a difficult loss? Like so: “If I don’t give up that home run to Jackie, there is no Bobby Thompson home run. There is no playoff” There was No Shot Heard Around the World.”
“And he smiled. “it’s a good thing I gave up that home run, isn’t it?”
I never knew that one and it’s great.
Fun article Bear. I really liked the powder blue throwbacks that the Dodgers wore in 2011. I never realized that they had a plaid uni. Those were really cool. I’m very proud and amazed that the current uniforms are always among the most popular in the sport. It’s clean looking and Iconic. I love the Blue, White and Red color scheme with the red numbers in the front and I’m a fan of the player’s name on the back, unlike some years when we didn’t have it. I also like the city name on road uniforms and would like that standardized across baseball.
I thought it was interesting that OKC Dodgers were sold. I’m wondering if there’s some sort of provision in the new minor leagues restructuring that discourages MLB owners from also owning their minor league affiliates.
Have fun on your trip to California. Don’t forget to bring some masks. They reinstituted a state-wide mask mandate beginning tomorrow. You got some good luck with your trip planning. We’re having torrential rains right now with good weather expected for the weekend before another big storm a week from now.
The OKC Dodgers were purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings. DBH now owns 10 minor league teams. 5 AAA teams, one AA, 2 high A and 2 low A. AAA teams owned include the Cubs Iowa team, Memphis, the Cardinals AAA team, Gwinnett, Braves, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Yankees. DBH purchased the team from Mandalay Baseball LLC, which was a partnership with Dodger ownership and an investor group led by Mandalay Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Peter Guber. DBH will provide support for ticket sales, partnerships, naming rights, food and beverage, merchandise, content strategy, and collectables/authentics/NFT’s.
Very interesting. Thank you!