The Greatest Los Angeles Dodgers Players in the Last 50 Years

I am continuing my list for the greatest players at each position in the last 50 years for every MLB team. Today’s team is the Los Angeles Dodgers

The criteria are as follows:

- Player must have played a full 5 seasons for the team.

-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 righthanded starting pitcher, 1 lefthanded starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).

 Below is my list of greatest players by position for the Dodgers in the last 50 years (since the 1970 season).  

 

First Base- Steve Garvey

Second Base- Davey Lopes

Shortstop- Bill Russell

Third Base- Ron Cey

Left Field-Dusty Baker

Centerfield- Matt Kemp

Right Field- Pedro Guerrero

Catcher- Mike Piazza

Designated Hitter- Justin Turner

Right-Handed starting pitcher- Orel Hershiser

Left-Handed starting pitcher- Clayton Kershaw

Relief pitcher- Kenley Jansen

 

A couple of notes. The 1970s infield makes the list in its entirety. Garvey, Lopes, Russell, and Cey were All Stars who played the most consecutive seasons as a starting infield. Justin Turner deserved consideration at third base, so I added him as the DH. The outfield was a little more challenging to select. I considered playoff hero Rick Monday in centerfield, but Kemp was more consistent. Right field was between Guerrero, Reggie Smith and Yasiel Puig. All 3 were great players, but I took the under appreciated Guerrero, who had was a contender for MVP honors for a few seasons in the early 80s. For right-handed pitcher, I took Hershiser over Don Sutton. Although Sutton is a Hall of Fame pitcher, I had to go with Hershiser based on his incredible season leading the Dodgers to the World Championship.