As 2017 draws to a close, it gives us a reason to recap the memorable Los Angeles Dodgers season that was. Not only did they win the National League West for the fifth consecutive season, but they led all of baseball with 104 wins and reached their first World Series since 1988.
The long journey did not end as everyone hoped, as the Dodgers fell to the Houston Astros in an all-time classic World Series, but there were still plenty of storylines along the way that had fans captivated for all of 2017.
There were walk-off wins, a dominant stretch that hadn’t been seen in decades, memorable individual performances, and more.
From Cody Bellinger to Chris Taylor, and breaking an All-Star Game record, a compilation of the top Dodgers stories from 2017 is included below.
1. Cody Bellinger’s unanimous Rookie of the Year season
Going into the 2017 season, Cody Bellinger was the top prospect in the Dodgers organization. At just 21 years of age, many did not envision him contributing much at the Major League level this year, and certainly not before September.
That quickly changed, though, as due to injuries he was called up on April 25. Bellinger soon became one of the brightest young stars in all of baseball.
The rookie sensation hit 24 home runs in his first 57 career games, becoming the fastest player ever to reach that milestone. He finished the season batting .267/.352/.581 with an NL rookie record 39 home runs to go along 97 RBIs, 87 runs scored and even showed his athleticism by stealing 10 bases in 13 attempts while playing first base and all three outfield positions.
Bellinger became the second straight Dodgers player to win a unanimous NL Rookie of the Year Award, following in Corey Seager’s footsteps.
It’s not every day that a 21-year-old prospect bursts onto the scene and leaves an entire fan base and organization excited about what is to come in the next decade. So for that reason, Bellinger’s unforgettable season sits atop the list.
2. Yasiel Puig rebounds after rough 2016 campaign
It’s no secret that the 2016 season was difficult one for Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers did all they could to trade him at the non-waiver deadline and when they were unsuccessful, he ended up being demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Coming off a career-worst season, Puig was really on his last leg in Los Angeles going into the 2017 season. Not only did he win the starting right field job in Spring Training, but he led the Dodgers in games played with 152, hitting .263/.346/.487 with career highs in home runs (28), RBIs (74) and stolen bases (15).
Puig also had an outstanding postseason, hitting three home runs and driving in 10 in 15 games. Although he was robbed of a Gold Glove, Puig was also arguably the best defensive right fielder in all of baseball.
Baserunners eventually stopped trying to take the extra base altogether when the ball was hit to him.
Compared to a year ago at this time, Puig’s reputation both on and off the field has done a complete 180 as he is now one of the Dodgers building blocks for the future.
3. The emergence of Chris Taylor
In June 2016, the Dodgers made an under-the-radar trade, parting ways with former first-round pick Zach Lee in exchange for a prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization by the name of Chris Taylor.
Not many thought much of the move at the time, as Taylor played just a handful of games at the big league level for the Dodgers in 2016, and he began the season with Oklahoma City in 2017.
That changed throughout the season though as Taylor received a call-up on April 19, and he never returned to the Minors. The 27-year-old had a breakout season, slashing .288/.354/.496 with 21 home runs, 72 RBIs, 85 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 21 opportunities in 140 games.
Despite never playing outfield before, Taylor was willing to learn and eventually wound up being the Dodgers everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter.
He was the key catalyst at the top of the Dodgers lineup, providing both power and speed, and his strong production continued into the postseason as he was named NL Championship Series Co-MVP along with Justin Turner for their efforts in eliminating the Chicago Cubs.
Taylor provided fans with plenty to cheer about in 2017, and unlike a year ago he will not be starting the 2018 season in Triple-A.
4. Justin Turner breaks record with All-Star Final Vote victory
Justin Turner’s rise to stardom for Los Angeles is truly a feel-good story. He joined the organization on a Minor League contract after being released by the New York Mets, and three stellar seasons later, earned himself a four-year, $64 million contract.
Turner did not disappoint in the first year of that contract, as he got off to a historic pace, hitting .377/.473/.582 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs before the All-Star break.
Despite leading the league in hitting, Turner was originally not named to the NL All-Star team, although he was given an opportunity to make it on the Final Vote.
Led by the efforts of Pantone 294 and his now-wife Kourtney, Turner received the most votes ever in the history of the Final Vote to reach his first career All-Star Game at the age of 32.
Turner’s strong production carried all throughout the season, as he finished with the third-best batting averaging in the NL, hitting .322/.415/.530 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs.
He also had plenty of big hits in the postseason, being named NLCS Co-MVP as he hit four home runs and drove in 14 runs in 15 postseason games.
5. Dodgers make first World Series since 1988
The Dodgers went into the 2017 season with one collective goal in mind: making and winning the World Series. They knew they had one of the most talented teams in all of baseball, and despite winning their division the four previous seasons, the prestigious organization still had not played on the biggest stage since they last won it in 1988.
For much of the season, the Dodgers looked like a team on a mission trying to achieve their goal. They received contributions from several different players to get to their MLB-best 104-58 record.
That was also the case in the postseason, as despite a rough stretch towards the end of the season, the Dodgers still were considered a World Series favorite.
They made quick work of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Division Series, completing a three-game sweep of their division rivals. They then avenged their 2016 NLCS loss to the Cubs by defeating them in five games and celebrating their first World Series appearance in 30 years on the Cubs home field.
While the Dodgers didn’t check off their ultimate goal, being defeated by the Astros in seven games in the World Series, it does not take away from all they accomplished this year.
With almost all of their key players returning in 2018, the Dodgers will once again be in a good spot to return to the Fall Classic and bring the city of Los Angeles that World Series Championship they have desired for some time.
Honorable Mentions:
Vin Scully inducted into Ring of Honor: On May 3, the Dodgers inducted Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Vin Scully into their Ring of Honor, becoming the first non-player in franchise history to earn the honor. Scully was the voice of the Dodgers for over six decades, and will forever be enshrined in franchise history.
Bellinger hits for the cycle: On July 15, Bellinger became just the ninth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, as he completed the feat by hitting a triple to right field against the Miami Marlins.
Kyle Farmer walks it off in first career MLB at-bat: Kyle Farmer’s first career big league at-bat was a memorable one, as he stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 11th inning on July 30 against the San Francisco Giants. He drove a walk-off double down the right-field line as his family watched on and cheered, securing a win for his team.
Rich Hill’s near no-hitter: A year after being removed after seven innings with a perfect game intact, Rich Hill looked to complete one this time on Aug. 23 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. An error in the ninth kept him from the perfect game, but he still completed nine no-hit innings.
While they should have been celebrating Hill’s no-hitter, the Dodgers still had work to do as their offense couldn’t muster any runs even through 10 innings. Hill went back out for the bottom of the 10th and gave up a walk-off home run to Josh Harrison, but it still does not take away from the incredible outing he had, giving up just one hit in nine-plus innings while striking out 10 without allowing a walk.
Turner hits second playoff walk-off home run in franchise history: In Game 2 of the NLCS against the Cubs, Turner stepped to the plate with the game tied in the bottom of the ninth.
He took a fastball by John Lackey to deep center field for a walk-off two-run home run, the second walk-off home run in Dodgers postseason history, with the first, of course, being Kirk Gibson’s in 1988.
Kiké Hernandez hits three home runs to propel Dodgers to World Series: With the Dodgers just one win away from reaching the World Series, Kiké Hernandez took matters into his own hands in Game 5 of the NLCS as he hit three home runs, including a grand slam, while driving in seven runs in the Dodgers 11-1 rout of the Cubs.
Clayton Kershaw dazzles in first World Series start: For almost the first decade of his career, the best pitcher in baseball did not have a chance to pitch of the biggest stage largely in part to his own postseason struggles.
Many questioned if Clayton Kershaw was capable of pitching in big games, but he quickly put that narrative to bed as in his first World Series start Kershaw dazzled to the tune of seven innings of one-run ball, striking out 11 without allowing a walk.
