DODGERS DISCUSSION: The Los Angeles Dodgers Best and Worst Teams EVER Ranked

DODGERS DISCUSSION: The Los Angeles Dodgers Best and Worst Teams EVER Ranked

The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, have a rich history filled with both remarkable success and a few disappointing seasons. Over the years, the team has been home to legendary players, unforgettable moments, and numerous championships. But like any long-standing sports organization, the Dodgers have also endured some lean years. Here, we take a look at the best and worst teams in the history of the Dodgers franchise, ranking them from the all-time greatest to the most forgettable.

Best Los Angeles Dodgers Teams

1. 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers – World Series Champions (92-70)

The 1988 Dodgers were not just one of the best teams in franchise history but one of the most iconic in MLB history. Under the leadership of manager Tommy Lasorda, this team defied the odds to win the World Series. The Dodgers had a modest regular season record of 92-70, but they peaked at the perfect time. The unforgettable moment came in Game 1 of the World Series when Kirk Gibson, hobbled by injuries, hit a walk-off home run to give the Dodgers a dramatic 5-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. With players like Orel Hershiser (who won the Cy Young that year), Mike Scioscia, and a solid bullpen, this team’s resilience and clutch performances were emblematic of true champions.

2. 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers – World Series Champions (98-55)

Before they moved to Los Angeles, the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn, and the 1955 season was their crowning achievement. This was the year the Brooklyn Dodgers finally won their first-ever World Series title, overcoming the New York Yankees in seven games. Led by manager Walter Alston and stars like Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and Duke Snider, the Dodgers had one of the most well-rounded teams of the era. This championship marked the end of the Dodgers’ 50-year quest for a title, and it remains one of the defining moments in the franchise’s history.

3. 2019 Los Angeles Dodgers – NL Champions (106-56)

The 2019 Dodgers had one of the best regular-season records in franchise history with 106 wins, capturing the NL West division by a landslide. With an all-time great roster that included MVP Cody Bellinger, ace Clayton Kershaw, and a dynamic offense, this team seemed poised for greatness. Despite dominating the regular season, the Dodgers ultimately fell short in the World Series, losing to the Washington Nationals in a heartbreaking seven-game NLDS. Nonetheless, the 2019 team set a new standard for regular-season excellence.

4. 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers – World Series Champions (43-17)

Though the 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dodgers proved they were still the team to beat. The Dodgers finished with the best record in baseball, and their lineup, headlined by Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Turner, was one of the most potent in the league. After an emotional journey through the playoffs, the Dodgers captured their first World Series title in 32 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games. This victory was particularly sweet for fans who had endured nearly three decades of postseason heartbreak.

5. 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers – World Series Champions (99-63)

Led by the formidable pitching trio of Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Johnny Podres, the 1963 Dodgers were one of the most dominant teams in history. The team went on to sweep the New York Yankees in the World Series, with Koufax earning the World Series MVP. Their pitching staff was historically great, with Koufax’s 25 wins and 1.88 ERA being the centerpiece. This team is remembered for its suffocating pitching and ability to outshine one of the greatest franchises in baseball.

Worst Los Angeles Dodgers Teams

1. 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers – Record: 63-99 (Last in NL West)

The 1992 season was one of the most forgettable in Dodgers’ history, as the team finished with a dismal 63-99 record. The Dodgers struggled across the board, and their pitching staff, once a hallmark of the franchise, was inconsistent. The team was in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and there was little to get excited about, both on and off the field. The 1992 season was a low point that fans would like to forget, and it marked the beginning of a prolonged period of mediocrity before the team began to rebuild in the late 1990s.

2. 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers – Record: 81-81 (Third in NL West)

The 1993 Dodgers’ season was more average than outright terrible, finishing exactly at .500 with an 81-81 record. After the disappointing 1992 campaign, the Dodgers showed some improvement, but the team was still inconsistent. With a lackluster offense, poor pitching performances from the likes of Tim Belcher, and no true star power, the Dodgers could never quite compete in the competitive NL West. The 1993 season was indicative of the team’s inability to remain competitive with the top teams in the league during the early ’90s.

3. 2005 Los Angeles Dodgers – Record: 71-91 (Last in NL West)

The 2005 Dodgers were disappointing, finishing with a 71-91 record, the worst in the division. The team’s performance was marred by inconsistent pitching, a lack of offensive depth, and injuries. With a squad featuring notable players like Hee-Seop Choi, J.D. Drew, and a pitching staff led by Brad Penny, the Dodgers’ inability to put it all together was frustrating. The 2005 season is often remembered as one of the many years of underachievement in the Dodgers’ otherwise rich history.

4. 2004 Los Angeles Dodgers – Record: 93-69 (Did Not Make Playoffs)

Though the Dodgers posted a winning record in 2004, their failure to qualify for the playoffs was a bitter disappointment. They finished third in the NL West behind the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, and despite a roster that included key players like Adrian Beltre and Jeff Kent, the team could not quite make the cut. The 2004 Dodgers were among the best teams to miss the postseason, and the team’s inability to capitalize on a strong regular-season performance left fans frustrated.

5. 2000 Los Angeles Dodgers – Record: 86-76 (Fourth in NL West)

The 2000 season was another of the many years of mediocrity for the Dodgers. Despite having future Hall of Famer Gary Sheffield in their lineup, the team couldn’t break through. The Dodgers finished with a respectable but unspectacular 86-76 record, good for fourth in a highly competitive NL West. This season marked the beginning of a transitional phase for the franchise as they faced off-field controversies and a decline in overall performance.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles Dodgers have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout their history. From their championship years in 1988, 2020, and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, to the frustrating seasons like 1992 and 2005, the franchise has seen it all. For fans, it’s important to remember the good and the bad because it’s all part of what makes the Dodgers one of the most fascinating and beloved teams in Major League Baseball. As the team continues to build for future success, one thing remains certain: the Dodgers will always remain a team to watch, full of potential and the legacy of greatness.