While the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a strong case to be the latest MLB dynasty by winning back-to-back World Series titles and three in the last six years, their franchise history and success since 2000 is a mixed bag.
Up until the current era, there were middling levels of postseason accomplishments since the turn of the century. But there have also been impressive individual performances and players who carved out a special place in the Dodgers’ franchise history.
The DodgerBlue.com staff has ranked the best Dodgers players in the last 25 years. Among various factors considered, the all-time Dodgers list was compiled by evaluating a player’s contributions and significance to the franchise.
Dodgers quarter-century all-time team
No. 10: Matt Kemp
The Dodgers drafted Matt Kemp out of Midwest City High School in Oklahoma in the sixth round in 2003. Kemp went on to make his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2006, appearing in 52 games that season.
The following year saw a breakout season from the dynamic outfielder, as Kemp hit .342/.373/.521 with 12 doubles and 10 home runs in 98 games.
Kemp’s most impressive year with the Dodgers came in 2011, when he batted .324/.399/.586 and finished one homer shy of the 40/40 club. Kemp additionally placed to Ryan Braun for the 2011 National League MVP Award. The race later became controversial due to Braun’s PED usage.
Kemp spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Dodgers before getting traded to the San Diego Padres in December 2014. He played for the Padres and later the Atlanta Braves over the next three seasons, then found his way back to the Dodgers in 2018.
That brought about a resurgence for Kemp, who contributed to a Dodgers team that reached the World Series for a second consecutive year.
In total, Kemp spent parts of 10 seasons with the Dodgers, batting .292/.348/.494 with 240 doubles, 203 home runs and 703 RBI across 1,262 games. He earned three All-Star Game selections, two Gold Glove Awards and a pair of Silver Sluggers during that time.
Kemp signed a one-day contract to retire with the Dodgers in 2024.
“I’m thankful to be here. It’s been a while since I’ve been back,” Kemp said before his on-field retirement ceremony. “I think I came for a playoff game in…I can’t even remember…it’s been a while. Energy is different, the stadium looks different, it’s really cool.
“I was asking them why we didn’t have all this cool stuff when I was here.”
No. 11: Will Smith
No. 12: Cody Bellinger
No. 13: Adrián Beltré
No. 14: Walker Buehler
No. 15: Andre Ethier
No. 16: Eric Gagné
No. 17: Shawn Green
No. 18: Manny Ramirez
No. 19: Gary Sheffield
No. 20: Adrián González
No. 21: Yasiel Puig
No. 22: Chris Taylor
No. 23: Russell Martin
No. 24: Kiké Hernández
No. 25: Miguel Rojas
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