The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long history of blazing trails as an organization, which began while the team was still in Brooklyn.
On October 23, 1945, former Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey announced the signings of Jackie Robinson and Johnny Wright. Both players joined the organization’s Triple-A team in Montreal, and Robinson of course went on to break MLB’s color barrier as the first black player on April 15, 1947.
Robinson batted a career .311/.409/.474 with 273 doubles, 54 triples, 137 home runs and 734 RBI over 10 seasons with the Dodgers. He added 197 stolen bases, and helped guide Brooklyn to their lone World Series title in 1955.
Robinson set career highs in RBI (124), hits (203), triples (12), stolen bases (37), slugging percentage (.522) and batting average (.342) during his 1949 MVP season.
Wright never reached the Major League level but enjoyed a successful career in the Negro Leagues.
Mike Piazza, Rookie of the Year
Also on this day in Dodgers history, Mike Piazza was the unanimous selection for 1993 National League Rookie of the Year.
That season he became the first player hit over .300 (.318), more than 30 home runs (35), and have at least 100 RBI (112) in a rookie season since Wally Berger did so for the Boston Braves in 1930.
Piazza was the second of five consecutive Dodgers to win Rookie of the Year. The streak began with Eric Karros in 1992 and included Raul Mondesi (1994), Hideo Nomo (1995) and Todd Hollandsworth (1996).
Dodgers hire new manager
On October 23, 1998, the Dodgers hired Davey Johnson as their new manager. He replaced Bill Russell and went on to compile a 163-161 record in just two seasons as Dodgers manager.
World Series history made
During the 2018 World Series, the Dodgers became the first team to ever use a lineup of only right-handed batters in the Fall Classic. They did so against Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox of Game 1, though to no avail in an 8-4 loss.
That the 2018 Dodgers roster would make such World Series history was hardly a surprise considering the team was heavily reliant on platoons due to injuries and inconsistent performances.
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