The Best in Blue

If you want a sure fire way to start an argument, just pick the best players ever for your team. Everyone has their own ideas of who are the greatest players in a team’s history. And the Dodgers have a long and colorful past. 67 years in Brooklyn as a part of MLB, and 62 in LA. So, choosing the best ever is a hard task. In this case, I am going to do one for each city. Simply because they have played close to the same amount of time in each city.

Brooklyn and LA have one thing in common more than anything else. The Dodgers.

CATCHER

For Brooklyn, there is one obvious choice. Roy Campanella. Campy is a 3 time MVP, 51, 53, and 55. He amassed 242 HR’s as a Dodger catcher, more than anyone else. He had a rifle arm and cut down runners at more than 40% many years of his career with a high of 69% in 1951. And he was only below 50% twice in his career! Catchers today have nowhere near that kind of success rate. He played 10 full seasons with the Dodgers and his averages over 162 games, although he never played that many is impressive. He was a .237 hitter in his 5 World Series appearances with 4 homers. He was elected to the HOF in 1969. His 5th year on the ballot.

For the LA Dodgers it is Mike Piazza. His stats simply dwarf those of players who were Dodger’s nearly twice as long as he was. Steve Yeager and Mike Scioscia played 14 and 13 years in blue respectfully. Even when you add them together they have less homers over their combined 27 years of service than Piazza’s 177 in just 7 full years in LA. Granted, Mike was not the best defensive catcher to ever play, but his offense more than made up the difference. Mike unlike those two, never played on a Championship team. But his ROY year, his offensive prowess and his constant high placing in the MVP voting is just too much for any other catcher to match. Elected to the Hall in 2016, his 4th year on the ballot.

1st BASE

A couple of candidates are in the mix. But Gil Hodges was clearly the best Brooklyn had to offer. Dolph Camilli had 6 good years in Brooklyn and won the MVP in 1941. Jake Daubert played 9 years in Brooklyn, was a career .300 hitter and won the MVP in 1913. But Gilbert Raymond Hodges was simply the best first baseman of his ERA. He had power, and he was a vacuum cleaner at 1st base. His ability to dig throws out of the dirt was exceptional. He was a clutch hitter. In 16 years with the Dodgers he hit 361 of his career 370 homers as a Dodger ranking him second all time behind Duke Snider’s 389. He was a team leader and a stabilizing force in the clubhouse. He managed the Mets with the same even tempered demeanor he displayed on the field. He drove in both runs in the Series clinching game in 55 and won the first 3 Gold Gloves given.

1st base has been handled by numerous name players over the years in LA. Wes Parker was a fielding wiz in the 60’s, but not much of a hitter. Norm Larker, Dick Stuart, Moose Skowron all names who played the position. But one player holds down the # 1 spot in LA. Steve Garvey. Garvey played 14 years in Los Angeles. Not all of them at 1st base. Originally a 3rd baseman, he had the yips when it came to throwing to 1st. So to protect the loyal fans behind 1st base, they moved him over there. He responded with 6 Gold Gloves. If there was one thing Garvey could really do well, it was hit. He was the model of consistency. His 162 game average was very good. And although his power numbers did not really match the other 1st basemen of the day, he was more consistent than most. And in the post season, Be it NLDS, NLCS, or World Series he averaged over .300 in all of them. And he added 10 HR’s in the post season as a Dodger.  Left via free agency in the winter of 1982.

SECOND BASE

In the history of the Dodgers in Brooklyn many players manned the keystone. Among them Tony Cuccinello, George Cutshaw, Jackie Robinson and Jr Gilliam. Billy Herman and Eddie Stanky also spent time there. None started there more than the 6 years George Cutshaw manned the position. But simply because he is a Hall of Famer, the obvious choice is Jackie ROY in 47, he was the driving force of the Boys of Summer. And despite his short tenure at the position, one of the best who played there. Jackie is one of those players who’s play changed the face of a franchise, and he was just the first of his race to make his mark in major league baseball.

In L.A. Dodger history, only 2 players had any longevity at the position. Steve Sax and Davey Lopes. Based on overall production and team success, Lopes would be the best. 8 years as part of the longest running infield. He had power and speed and led the league in steals in 75 and 76. He averaged over 40 a year in his time with LA. Part of the 74, 77, 78 and 81 pennant winners. he was the teams leadoff hitter and spark plug. He scored over 100 runs twice.

Third Base

In Brooklyn again there was no player who manned the position for more than a 6 year period and only 2 did that. Joe Strip and Billy Cox. Others who manned the position were Cookie Lavagetto, Spider Jorgensen, Frenchy Bordagaray and HOF SS Arky Vaughn. To me Cox, because of his superior glove gets the nod. Billy spent 6 years with the Dodgers after coming over in a trade with Preacher Roe, and Gene Mauch for Dixie Walker, Hal Gregg and Vic Lombardi. Billy was one of the best defensive players ever to man the hot corner for the Dodgers. Not a great power hitter, but one of those players you love to have on your team.

Third basemen in LA are a different story. There have been some good ones, starting with Jr. Gilliam. A lot of players passed through LA including the likes of Daryl Spencer, Ken McMullen, John Kennedy. Tim Wallach. Adrian Beltre and Casey Blake. Ron Cey spent 10 years there. Beltre 7, and for the last 6, Justin Turner. My pick is Cey. Had he not left in free agency it would be Adrian Beltre hands down. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. But the Dodgers during his tenure in LA were not pennant winners. Cey along with the longevity at the position was very productive. He was a good fielder and a solid run producer. He was also part of the infield that stayed together for 8 years. And he was a Co-MVP in the 81 series. A series he could have missed because of a pitched ball he took to the head, and the fact that he was also hit on Sept 9th by a Giants pitcher and broke his arm. The Penguin is a worthy holder to the title of best ever.

SHORTSTOP

No contest. Pee Wee hands down. 16 seasons as the Dodgers short stop  A solid hitter and a very good fielder. Arky Vaughn is also a HOF SS, but his tenure in Brooklyn was short. Pee Wee was the on field leader. The Captain. He was a clutch player all the way around. And in a show of courage he supported Jackie Robinson when he broke in. He was a southern born major leaguer and his fellow southerners expected him to support their petition to not play with Robinson on the team. Two known supporters of the petition were summarily traded to the Pirates. Dixie Walker and Hal Gregg who both were openly hostile to Robinson. Although Pee Wee did not make the hall in the writers vote, he was elected by the Veteran’s committee in 1984. He is one of 8 players in team history who have had their numbers retired.

In LA, there have been two players who had extended runs at the SS position. Bill Russell and Maury Wills. This coming season will be Seager’s 5th. Wills had 10, and Russell 12. Although Russell was with the team for 18 years. No one else has more than 4. On longevity, Russell would be the obvious choice. But I am going with Wills. His over all impact on the team was greater. Russell had some great moments, but Wills had some great seasons. Including stealing 102 bases in 1962 and earning the MVP Award that season. Maury also was an All Star 5 times, Russell 3 times. Maury’s WAR is almost 40 and Russell a tick over 30. Maurice Morning Wills, the all-time LA Dodgers SS. Russell was originally an outfielder.

Left Field

For Brooklyn, there really is only one choice, Zack Wheat. Career .317 hitter, over 200 stolen bases. Career leader for the Dodgers in hits, runs, games, at bats, just a great player. He had a little pop for the dead ball era. But he was an excellent fielder and a clutch hitter. Probably the best hitter ever in Brooklyn. Zack hit left and threw right, just like Snider. If they had worn numbers back then his would no doubt be retired. HOF election in 1959 by the Veteran’s committee.

Left field in LA is not so well defined. There have been so many. And none has more consecutive seasons at the position than Dusty Baker. Dusty was out there for 7 seasons. Believe it or not, Manny Mota had the second most with 4. There have been a couple who over their short tenure made big impacts. So I am going with a guy who in his 3 seasons put up almost a 14 WAR. Gary Sheffield. In his just over 3 years as a Dodger, he hit 129 homers, and drove in 367 runs. He averaged .311 over that span. He was not very well liked, especially since it cost the team Mike Piazza to get him. But he was in reality the only real return on the trade. the other 3 MLB players who came to LA were all LOUSY. Jim Eisenreich, Bobby Bonilla and Charles Johnson, who could not hit water if he fell out of a boat.

Center Field

Again, for Brooklyn, only one real contender, Duke Snider. There were two dead ball era CF’s who were very good for Brooklyn, Mike Griffin, who manned the position pre 1900 for 8 years. The other was Hi Myers, who was the CF for 7 years. Both were excellent fielders and pretty good hitters. But the Duke of Flatbush was a special player. He is the Dodger career HR leader with 389. He was an exceptional fielder. Duke with a little patience might have done a lot more, but he was pretty hard on himself and would fret over his strikeouts. The next Dodger to win a HR title after Duke did in 56 was Beltre in 2004. No Dodger has won it since. Duke’s # 4 is retired, and he is in the Hall of Fame.

The Dodgers have had some very good center fielders in Los Angeles, Willie Davis, Jimmy Wynn, Kenny Landreaux, John Shelby, Brett Butler, Matt Kemp, and now Cody Bellinger. But for 13 years the 3-Dog patrolled center and was one of the best defensive CF’s ever to wear a Dodger uni. He was not a great hitter, but he was more than adequate. He had tremendous speed. Some said he wasted some of his career because they felt with just a little more effort, he would have been a perennial all-star. His worst moment was in the 66 World Series when he made 3 errors in one inning. But he also owns the longest hitting streak in LA Dodger history, 31 games. Traded to the Expos prior to the 1974 season for reliever Mike Marshall.

Right Field

There have been some very good RF’s in Brooklyn’s history. Willie Keeler, Casey Stengel, yeah, old Case was really a pretty good player, Tommy Griffith, Babe Herman, who still has the highest BA in one season at .393. Dixie Walker, and Carl Furillo. For longevity and being a pretty good player, my choice is The Reading Rifle, Carl Furillo. Called Ol Skoonj by his team mates because of his fondness for an Italian seafood dish, scunjilli. Largely forgotten by many, he and Tommy Davis are the only Dodgers since 1953 to win batting titles. He was a career .299 hitter. He had 192 HR’s and probably would have had 200 easy if not for injuries. He was an excellent fielder and excelled at playing the RF wall at Ebbets. He was known for his laser like throws and was an assist’s machine from the outfield.

Right field has had many very good players in Los Angeles. Frank Howard, Ron Fairly, Willie Crawford, Reggie Smith, Mike Marshall, Raul Mondesi, Shawn Green, Andre Ethier, Yasiel Puig and now Mookie Betts. Mookie will no doubt claim the title of the greatest ever to wear blue out there sometime in the next few years. His debut season was spectacular. My choice is Ethier. 6 years as a starter, he was Mr. Clutch. No Dodger has matched his 6 walk off hits in one year. He was a very good fielder and one of the most favorite Dodgers during his tenure. Injuries curtailed what could have been. But even to this day Andre keeps in touch with his fans and team mates. Shawn Green had maybe the best season of any of the right fielders, but Andre is still the best choice…sorry Yasiel fans.

Starting Pitchers

The right handed starter for Brooklyn would have to be Dazzy Vance. Dazzy won 190 games as a Dodger, which is pretty amazing considering he did not become a regular in the majors  until he was 31. He had a cup of coffee in 1915, and another in 1918. But it was 1922 before he stuck. He went 18-12 that season , and won 18 again the next. Then in 24 and 25 he won a total of 50 games and lost only 15, Not bad for a pitcher who was older at the time than Sandy Koufax was when he retired. Dazzy would have only one more 20 win season, 1928, but he was consistently in double figures. He pitched until he was 44 years old going 3-2 with the Dodgers after returning from a 3 year absence He was elected to the Hall in 1955 by the BBWAA.

The lefty is a lot tougher. There are a few candidates, but the two best are Nap Rucker and Preacher Roe. Rucker spent 10 years in Brooklyn, and Preacher spent 7. Rucker has a better WAR, more wins, and a better ERA. Roe has a much higher winning percentage. But I will go with Rucker. Although he is merely a .500 pitcher, 134-134, he has a sub 3 ERA at 2.42. More K’s and a better WHIP than Roe. For 7 of his 10 years with Brooklyn, he had double figure wins. He also was in double figures in losses. But considering how bad the Brooklyn team was in those days it is totally understandable.

Hard choice for the right handed starter for LA. If you go by wins, it has to be Don Sutton. If you go by how much he was feared around the league, it is Don Drysdale. I go with Big D. As intimidating a pitcher who has ever taken the mound. The side-wheeling Drysdale terrorized hitters for most of his career. He was fearless and to some, just flat mean. He once was asked what would he do if his mother dug in and crowded the plate, his reply, I’d hit her. Few hitters got the best of him, but his biggest nemesis was Willie McCovey. For some reason he owned Big D. Owner of the consecutive scoreless inning streak until broken by Orel Hershiser, He was elected to the Hall in 1984. He could hit too. He had 7 homers in a season twice. Although his post season stats are not outstanding, his 1-0 win in game 3 of the 63 series was crucial in helping LA sweep the Yankees.

Someday the best lefty to ever wear the blue may be Clayton Kershaw. Today is not that day. Sandy Koufax was just simply from another planet. He was to me, the best pitcher I have ever seen. Yeah, there have been plenty of guys get to the 300 win plateau since I have been watching the game, and yeah, Nolan Ryan has 7 no hitters and the most K’s in history. But Sandy did a lot of it with a bum wing. Just think of what he could have done if he would have been totally healthy. But that is a what if. What he did accomplish is amazing. 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP award, 4 no hitters including a perfect game. Played for 4 World Champion teams, 55, 59, 63, and 65. Pitched game 7 of the 65 series on two days rest and threw a shutout. He was simply a clutch pitcher. Amazing fastball, and one of the best curves you have ever seen. And he pitched against some of the best players who ever pulled on a pair of spikes.

So that is my list. I am not including relievers since before Clem Labine in Brooklyn, most of the relievers in the majors were veterans on their way down, or kids trying to make the roster. Joe Black won the ROY with Brooklyn, and Steve Howe did it in LA. LA has had some very good ones, Larry Sherry, Jim Brewer, Phil Regan, Ron Perranoski, Charlie Hough, Mike Marshall, Jay Howell. The list is long. Now, not everyone is going to agree with this list, and some will insert their own picks. That is perfectly fine. We all have our own ideas about who was the best.