Why Do Fans Dislike the Dodgers?

Posted By on November 27, 2022

Fight at Dodger Stadium between a Giants fan and a Dodger fan

I got to thinking about this the other day after I saw a post on Twitter where a fan of another team, I think the Padres, was gleefully reveling in the fact that we had lost a pitcher to free agency with another team, AKA Anderson. Now, the Dodger-Giant antagonism goes back to the days the team was in Brooklyn. The two boroughs basically did not like each other. But for years, the Giants had the better team. But in the dog days, tempers would get short, and occasionally, fisticuffs would break out.

Today I think fans who dislike LA do so because the team has been so successful the last 10 years. Yes, they may be the Braves of the 2000’s, but it is not as easy to win World Series as one might think. Giant fans revel in Dodger losses, and Dodger fans revel in beating the Giants. Most other fans just wish the Dodgers would not win anything. So far in the 2000’s, the Giants have the upper hand with three Championships. The Dodgers are way ahead of any other team for division titles. And therein lies the rub with so many opposing fans. It is the conception that the Dodgers buy their titles. Same thing was said about Steinbrenner’s Yankees back in the day.

The truth is somewhere in between. Yes, the Dodger ownership has a lot of cash. They also have some very astute baseball people running the show. They would rather win and ensure a playoff spot than hope to be the wild card and more or less back into the playoffs. I live in Colorado now for many reasons, one, it is so much cheaper to live here than in California. But I get it all the time from Rockies fans. And it is “the you guys have all the money” argument. They seem to forget how many homegrown players have been on those teams. The fact of the matter is even with their low draft picks, and they find a gem now and then. They also have been extremely fortunate in some trades they have made for unknown players, and also some of their waiver claims. Of course, Taylor and Muncy are the two most well-known. The coaching staff is also adept at “fixing players”. Usually pitchers.

The bad thing about the hatred is that sometimes it degenerates into violence, both on the field and in the stands. Sometimes it continues into the parking lot, and even to bars in the surrounding areas. Two very unfortunate incidents have involved Giant-Dodgers fans fights. Brian Shaw, a Giant fan, was severely beaten in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. His injuries were pretty serious. The two perpetrators were later arrested and convicted.

The worst instance was in 2013 in San Francisco, where Dodger fan, Jonathan Denver, was stabbed to death after a fight that started in a bar. He had attended a game between the Dodgers and the Giants that evening with his father and brother. The assailant was arrested and released. The DA decided not to press charges because it could not be proved beyond any doubt that he acted in self-defense.

Dempsey, his father and brother at AT&T Park

Those kinds of incidents are not the norm, but it does show how high passions run in the fandom of both teams. I remember well in the 70’s the arguments and fights that would break out with Reds fans. Dodger fans used to throw things at Pete Rose when he would play left field for the Reds. The Braves when they were in the Western Division, were a big rivalry and more than once I would see a Dodger fan take Umbridge to the Tomahawk chop.

Padres’ fans have become more irritated when Dodger fans seemingly take over Petco Park when they play. It got so bad in Arizona, that they would not allow anyone in Dodger gear to sit in the seats directly behind home plate, and this year, for the playoffs, the Padres restricted ticket sales to certain zip codes so the Dodger fans would have a tough time getting tickets. Myself, I try not to hate any team, severe dislike, on the other hand, is okay.

Brooklyn fan explaining his displeasure to the umpire

Fans and umps usually do not fight, but they did in Brooklyn once! The players on the field are not exempt either. New York and Brooklyn had some classic confrontations. One of the best remembered was a collision at first between Giants pitcher, Ruben Gomez and Carl Furillo. Gomez got flattened when covering first by Furillo. Jackie Robinson had more than one confrontation with their players. LA-SF has had its share. Marichal-Roseboro is probably the most talked about. Both Puig and Muncy had issues with Bumgarner. Chad Kreuter, when with the Dodgers, went into the stands after a fan who had stolen his cap.

Marichal-Roseboro

I myself have never felt the desire or need to go to fisticuffs over my Dodgers. I have stood up to those who I consider obnoxious fans who gloat after one win. What does seem to me to be the case with most fans of other teams is their dislike is simply because the Dodgers A. Have money to buy whatever they need. B. Keep winning, C. Have extremely obnoxious fans…seriously, an acquaintance told me all Dodger fans were obnoxious. D. Continually dominate their team. Most of that comes from Division rivals who have not beat LA in a season series in quite a while.

My biggest pet peeve is something I have no control over, but every time it starts, I get irritated. It is simply the “Beat LA” chant that constantly pops up in SD and SF. Oh you might hear it a little in some other stadium, but at those two parks, it starts anytime they get some sort of rally going. Downright irritating. And they do it even when they are losing.

This will probably always be the case as long as the Dodgers continue to be successful.

This article has 66 Comments

  1. On another note. Bryce Harper another player who opted for ‘treatment’ instead of surgery , now getting Tommy John Surgery in November

    1. The Dodgers have a pitcher who was acquired in the MItch White trade, Nick Frasso, who was told to have Tommy John surgery but instead opted for a UCL repair with an internal brace, coming with a slightly shorter recovery time than standard TJ. Since the surgery, his fastball routinely hits triple digits, but the first time I watched him, I was afraid his arm would fall off. He is most likely the Dodger’s Future Closer!

    2. Dude he didn’t “opt for treatment”….he knew he would eventually have to get the surgery but played through it because his team was in the midst of a playoff run. Hard to argue with the results. He will miss a month next year and be back DH’ing. NBD and I’m sure every Philly fan is ok with how it played out.

      1. I don’t think Harper had a choice – he did the right thing, but his TJ will likely cost him at least half of 2023. I have no problem with that. I do have somewhat of a problem with Treinen.

  2. Excellent article, Bear. I love to hear the “Beat LA” Chant. No other team has their own chant. That tell us how special we are.

  3. I took some time this AM to read several other blogs, and everyone is lamenting how many players we need. The sky is falling, of that, they are sure!

    I happen to think the Dodgers could take the roster they have now and win close to 90 games!

    1. Lux 2B
    2. Betts RF
    3. Freeman 1B
    4. Muncy DH
    5. Smith C
    6. Busch LF
    7. Vargas 3B
    8. Outman/Thompson CF
    9. Amaya SS (no hit)

    Bench: Barnes, Taylor, Leonard and/or Vivas

    Starting Pitchers: Urias, May, Kershaw, Gonsolin, Stone

    Bullpen: Ferguson, Gonzalez, Grove, Jackson, Pepiot, Vesia, Hudson, Phillips

    That team might win 90 games!

    1. I happen to totally agree with you Mark on the above team winning 90 games. I have have said several times recently with a core of Betts, Freeman, Smith, Lux, and Muncy the Dodgers can afford to work in some of these highly touted prospects and see what they can do. One player who I would like the Dodgers to trade for would be Bryan Reynolds. That would solidify the CF spot for several seasons. Starting with Busch or Pages and add in some pitching is something the Pirates could use to bolster their minor league system.

      All these prospects aren’t going to play for the Dodgers so use them in trades to help the Dodgers now and allow the players an opportunity to play in the MLB somewhere else. Let’s have the Dodgers’ long timed regarded minor league system be knocked down to the middle of the pack by promoting players to the Majors either with the Dodgers or other teams via trades. It’s like buying a high performance car and never driving it. The question is when you do go to drive it will it even start and if it does start how will it perform? You won’t know until you press the the ignition button. The Dodgers need to start the car and see what they have. A high performance car, an under performing pile of metal, or something in between? Remember, they will be able to continue to draft and/or trade for more prospects to develop for the future. Take the leap. I’m anxious to have the team inject some youth and enthusiasm into the lineup.
      Carry on.

    2. I think that would easily be a 90 win team, and 90 wins might win the division. Things will be a lot different this year with the new rules, bigger bases, and a schedule that includes all of the other 29 teams in the majors now on the schedule. Pitch clock and the rule for no more than 2 pickoff attempts. I would bet we see stolen bases increase a lot. I like that lineup Mark, I never have thought that Smith should be hitting cleanup.

  5. Nice job, Bear. Unfortunately, most of these incidents involving fans is a direct result of too much alcohol. However, like the Shaw incident, if you’re gonna talk shit throughout a game then don’t be shocked that someone might just call you out. Not saying he deserved the injuries he sustained or condoning violence at a ballgame but he definitely shares some responsibility.

    Frasso project is definitely intriguing if the the closer by committee option doesn’t work out the next few seasons. Money definitely needs to be spent elsewhere instead of on a designated closer. Too many in house options for the time being. Great info MT. Looks like Milwaukee should be active at the winter meetings. Hmmmm

    VIVA AZUL

    1. Yes alcohol is usually involved. One on one is ok in my book, but when two or three guys jump one, that is just wrong. Shaw may have shot his mouth off, but two guys kicking the crap out of him is not right. When I was playing music every night, we had some bar fights that got pretty heated, and one time there was a brawl between some white guys and a bunch of Samoan’s who had come into the bar. Not pretty. I was on stage at the time.

  7. Love the old photos.
    Also love the “BEAT LA” chants. It’s certainly a measure of respect and envy. It helps that the Lakers are similarly hated for their winning tradition. LA–aka La La Land– can get hated on multiple fronts….
    So reports suggest that the AF is seriously considering the Adames option for SS.
    Adames just turned 27, and under team control thru 2024. Not sure if the Brewers have a successor in the wings, but an offer of Busch + Amaya might be a starting point.
    Busch might be able to replace Adames’ power, and Amaya could play SS (or UT).
    Now, how much more would it take to get the Brewers to toss Burnes into the deal?

    Well, Gavin Lux grew up in Kenosha, WI as a Brewers fan.
    Hmm…
    Adames at SS and Muncy at 2B–that could be potent.

    =

    1. Adames would be OK, but I have no idea if that is really true.

      Lux would have to be in the deal, and maybe AF would try and re-sign Adames before the trade. The Deal might look like this: Lux, Amaya, Busch and Kendall Williams.

      Then as Ted Raymond said about, get Bryan Reynolds for Pages, Sheehan, Ramos, and Miller.

      Ladies and Gentlemen, here are your Los Angeles Dodgers:

      1. Betts RF (R)
      2. Reynolds CF (B)
      3. Freeman 1B (L)
      4. Smith C (R)
      5. Muncy 2B (L)
      6. Vargas 3B (R)
      7. Adamas SS (R)
      8. J. Turner DH (R)
      9. Outman/Thompson/Taylor LF

      A lot more RH’ed.

      1. It was Juan Toribio of MLB.com that reported AF “has shown interest in” Adames. Another report says Milwaukee has no plans to deal him
        But Milwaukee is a small market team that just traded Hunter Renfroe for three meh pitchers from the Angels. Salary dump
        Including Miller in a deal for Reynolds–a good player, not great– seems much too steep to me. Grove maybe. But not a potential ace. I think if Milwaukee really wanted to deal Burnes, then Miller gets considered–and more.
        Dodgers do have the prospect capital to swing various deals.
        Play ’em or trade ’em.

  8. Please no muncy at 2nd! Dh is his best position! Adames and burnes is very intriguing idea. But boegarts and benetendi plus degrom intrigues me more! Vargas at 3rd and figure out center field as we go. I like Thompson but I just see as a 210 hitter over the course of an entire season. Outman is still an unknown. Bellinger anyone? Still worried Friedman made a boo boo. Any rumors concerning this jt? Go Dodgers!

    1. I agree, Muncy is no second baseman. But it is his best position on the field. I just think Max does not really have the range to play second. I would rather see Mookie move there if they move Lux to SS.

  9. According to some sources that post on twitter, the Dodgers are keeping the communication line with Trea open. Winter meetings will be held starting next Monday. It should be an interesting time. Most sources seem to think that Judge will be signed sometime in the next 10 days.

        1. Aaron Bates is the assistant hitting coach and he is still there. Today in Dodger history, Roy Campanella was named the MVP in 1953, He would win three in his career. Today is also Mike Scioscia’s birthday. He is now 64.

  11. Love the article Bear. I never participated in any beat down on either side at a sporting event, but I did take a lot of grief the one time I visited Candlestick park.

    Yes, AF might have made a boo boo. But, we won’t know until Bellinger signs somewhere and Outman has 100+ K’s by the all star break.

    Muncy at second base with shift rules in place would be a disaster. I have a feeling that the Dodgers will ultimately sign Correa, Haniger or both. At least that’s my preference, but I would be equally happy with Xander.

    You have to make room for Vargas and Bush to play unless Busch is going to be traded.

    Don’t forget, Lux could replace Bellinger in CF if they sign a SS, or Busch could wind up in LF if they don’t sign an Outfielder like Haniger.

    Don’t worry Cassidy, I still here. I just went out of town for the holiday and I’m busy with school and work. Be patient, I’m half-way through with school.

    1. Oh please no! Lux looked worse in the outfield than he has at SS! He is not good at getting a good read on the ball and takes awful routes. No way I want that kid in the outfield when they have 3 guys with CF experience. I go with Thompson first and Outman in left.

      1. I think if you gave Lux all Spring in CF he could learn to be a solid CF’er but throwing him into the fire during the season exposed him too much.

        1. This time I disagree. He is a gifted athlete for sure, but I do not think he is comfortable out there. And why would they even consider moving him with three guys on the roster who already are outfielders and have CF experience? Just not a smart idea to me.

    2. Good to have you back and why are so many always trying to trade Lux? He’s versatile with big upside. The type of player that AF loves

  12. I wondered if the Dodgers would be interested in Alex Reyes. According to reports, which we can either believe or not… they are.

    Bogaerts too.

    MLBTR said that the Dodgers had two hitting coaches. I thought they had three, but it turns out that Brown was listed as Hitting Coach along with RVS, and Aaron Bates was listed as Assistant Hitting Coach.

    Interesting…. Hummmm…

    1. 100% agree.

      He will not age well, and that is why I have pretty well moved on from him. I think AF will bid him up, but he is going in another direction.

    2. Excellent video. Good points on the risk in signing Trea long term.
      He cites high chase rate and heavy reliance on speed, neither of which age well.
      And the expected length and cost of the contract which will likely approach or exceed $300 million.
      Trea was a very good acquisition for Dodgers, but I see the reluctance to pay him huge money for 8-10 years. He is still my favorite of the 4 top SS free agents, but if Dodgers wanted him they already would have RE-signed him.
      I prefer a SS trade/FA signing to Lux, but at least sign a veteran SS like Iglesias as insurance for Lux. It is still very early in the off season, but hopefully AF starts to fill some roster gaps soon.

  14. Clevinger to the White Sox.

    I wonder what it would take to get Jesse Winker? He has a world of talent, but something is off. Buy low!

    I have watched him in Cincy, and he is tantalizing. I’d take him over Haniger.

    1. He had a bad year in Seattle, but I have to believe they would be open to trading the guy, and he would not cost much. Has a lot of power.

      1. There is something going on between him and management. I don’t know what it is, but he never had a bad rap in Cincy… other than underachieving.

        I hear that the Twins have made Correa several offers recently. If he re-signs there, then the Dodgers can trade for Kyle Farmer to be their SS. 😉

  15. The Bay Area is beautiful but people there have a serious inferiority complex about SoCal.

  16. Something about Bogaerts. We haven’t signed a Boras client since Ryu in 14. And that worries me about Julio after next year. Mark, when can we get your updated prospect list and who will be given a legit opportunity to make the club next year? If some of the pundits are right about the Dodgers going with the kids and resetting the luxury tax. An infield of Busch, Lux and Vargas scares me defensively. Any way that happens

    1. If the Bauer suspension was finalized for 2023 I would be OK with an offer for Verlander. But, for $43M+ annually might be too much for a 40 year old pitcher who’s a year out from TJ surgery. Somewhere in the $35-$38M annually for three years would be a figure that might be acceptable by the Dodgers. How many teams can afford $130M for a 40 year old pitcher? It will be interesting to see what he finally gets and who will pony up with the $$$$. Never say never with AF.

  21. Astros signing Abreu makes the world champions even better.
    Dodgers have lost starting SS, CF, 3B, 3 SP (WB, TA, AH) , along with several bullpen pieces.
    Yes a long way to go in offseason and AF is always patient.
    But so far the Dodgers are falling behind the Astros, Padres, Braves, and Phillies.
    A good article by Dustin Nosler on his off-season plan for Dodgers.

    1. Oversight, I suspect.
      Almonte was a real find. And we are still waiting for Bazooka remains a work in progress.
      In our constant and collective search for Dodger perfection, Dodgers Digest floats two trade scenarios: one to fix SS by getting Tim Anderson from the White Sox, and another to get Ian Happ for LF from the Cubs.
      Both seem plausible to me. Anderson is daman exciting when healthy. Happ seems to be on the upswing…though he would supplant Yoshida in my scheme.
      A little bit more research has added some doubt re Yoshida. I looked up Seiya Suzuki’s stats–and he walked a lot more in Japan than in the US. His Ks jumped up in the US. Yoshida is more of a contact hitter than Suzuki… but still. Just comparing Suzuki’s stats had me wondering if established Japanese stars get their own strike zone. (I mean, how often was Michael Jordan called for steps?)

  24. The other big elements of Nosler’s plan is for the Dodgers to sign Senga from Japan and also Kiermaier to replace Cody’s glove in CF.
    I’ve read that Senga wants to go to a major-market team that is a WS contender. So he seems plausible. Kiermaier can rule CF and bat 9th.
    The prospect capital Nosler would spend to get Anderson, Happ and lesser names includes Busch, Outman, Pepiot, Knack, Becerra and the young catcher Jesus Galiz, still 3-4 years away from the ML. If the trade target is big enough, like Burnes (or Ohtani!), then I think Rushing or even Cartaya and Miller are touchable.
    Will Smith figures to be the Dodgers primary catcher, or paired with either Cartaya or Rushing, for the next 5-7 years. Smith is an all-star calibre player, and the others may be in a few years. But we don’t need three catchers.

    1. In no way do I want them to sign Kiermaier. He is 33 years old, injury prone and not really an upgrade at all. He has played more than 151 games once in his career, never hit more than 15 home runs in any season, only 14 over the last three years. His K ratio is 3-1. His defense is stellar for the most part, but age and injuries have slowed him down. Bad choice.

  25. I think whatever direction we go in filling our need positions, we go the low strikeout/contact/on-base route. also I will like a switch hitter for LF. A cheap option for LF can be J Profar.

  26. If San Diego is indeed looking for a Premier SS, I can’t think of a more perfect fit for them than Carlos Correa?
    I wonder if the Dodgers would consider adding Will Smith in a package to obtain a top line starting pitcher and promoting Cartaya sooner rather than later. Thought this might be more of a possibility as a trade deadline move though.

    2. Man, that is such a bad idea. Cartaya has been injured every year so far in the minors and hasn’t played above A+ yet. All this would do is create another hole.

    3. San Diego is pushing up against the boundaries of their payroll limitations as is. If they sign Correa that means they need to dump Tatis Jr.

      I don’t see how their payroll can accommodate Tatis, Machado, Soto and Correa all at the same time.

      I know I’m the only one here who would even consider adding Tatis , but I’d be happy to have him as our starting shortstop next year. He’s an immature, flighty kid who shows bad judgement on a regular basis. I’ll take him anyway, and assume that sometime in the next couple of years he’ll find that maturity. He’s a spectacular ballplayer.

      1. Tatis is Puig with better skills. Talented but as you said, immature. I doubt he ever comes to LA. He is under contract with the Padres until 2034. No way they would ever trade him to LA.

        1. Correct. If Preller made a list of the 29 teams in the order he would be willing to trade Tatis, the Dodgers would be #29 on that list.

Comments are closed.