Los Angeles Dodgers: Mt. Rushmore
By Evan Lovett
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions: These 10 Dodgers all shine eternally in Dodgers lore, but do not quite have the impact to crack the Mount Rushmore. That said, they are each deserving of a mention.
Clayton Kershaw
If he attains even one World Series ring, he may be able to sit atop the perch with the other timeless Dodgers legends. At 29 years old, he is already the only pitcher with six consecutive top-five Cy Young finishes. He also is a pillar of the community with his charity work in Africa and beyond, building schools with strikeouts.
Walt Alston
With four World Series titles and three NL pennants in his 23 years, Alston staked claim to the organization, winning the hearts of fans in Brooklyn. He retired fifth all-time in managerial wins and steered the Dodgers on their journey to Los Angeles, bringing baseball to the west coast.
Duke Snider
The Dodgers’ franchise leader with 389 home runs and 1,271 RBI, Snider was a stalwart in center field for the 1950’s Brooklyn Dodgers, and formed a triumvirate of New York Hall of Fame center fielders along with the New York Giants’ Willie Mays and the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle. Snider won two World Series with the Dodgers, one each in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
Roy Campanella
One of the most special nights in Dodgers history came at both the expense of and celebration for the one they called “Campy.”
The eight-time All Star and three-time MVP catcher (in ten seasons) was one of the most effective players ever behind the dish. Whacking 242 home runs with an .860 OPS in his ten seasons as the Brooklyn backstop, Campy finished his career with more walks (533) than strikeouts (501).
Campanella’s career was cut short when he was paralyzed in a car accident following the 1958 season, but he continued to remain involved with the organization and the City of Los Angeles until his death.
Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey was a part-time third Dodgers third baseman through 1974. Then, after Walt Alston switched him to first base, he became the first write-in candidate ever elected to an All-Star game. He went on to win National League MVP, the first of seven consecutive top-25 finishes.
A 10-time All-Star, Garvey went on to play a National League record 1,207 consecutive games, earning him the sobriquet “Iron Man.” He finished his Dodgers career in the top-10 all-time in home runs, RBI, doubles and hits.