Los Angeles Dodgers: The biggest enemies of the 1980s

3. Atlanta Braves

Just as the Los Angeles Dodgers were trying to hold on to their top spot in the West a new team was emerging from the Deep South. Led by their eccentric owner the media mogul Ted Turner the Atlanta Braves built up a young hungry roster led by league MVP Dale Murphy was knocking on the door.

The Braves started the 1982 season by setting a major league record 13-0, subsequent losing skid and a Dodgers win streak reversed the standings as the Dodgers went from 9 games back to 4 games up. The teams would trade first and second through out the season as the San Francisco Giants weren’t too far behind as well.

The Dodgers eliminated their rivals the Giants and found themselves one game behind the Braves on the last day. Simultaneously as the Braves won their last game of the season the Dodgers were felled when future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan stunned the Dodgers with a three run home run in the bottom of the eighth beating the Dodgers 5-3. The loss meant the Braves won the West by one game.

In 1983 the two teams were at it again as the Braves sought to repeat as NL West champs. Again the pennant race was back and forth, but this time the Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed winning the title by three games. After this season the Braves never again contended for the division title until their dominance in the 1990’s.