Dodgers Timeline: Important dates in Dodgers history

Saturday, March 21, 1998 | 10:24 a.m.

1890 -- Brooklyn transferred to the National League from the American Association, where they had won the 1889 pennant. Nicknamed the "Bridegrooms," the team won the championship with an 86-43 record.

The term "Trolley Dodgers" was attached to the Brooklyn ballclub because of the complex maze of trolley cars that weaved through the borough of Brooklyn. The name was then shortened to just "Dodgers." During the 1890s, other popular nicknames were Ward's Wonders, Foutz's Fillies and Hanlon's Superbas.

1897 -- The ownership of the Brooklyn ballclub was in a state of flux, as Charles Ebbets had become a 24-year-old employee of the original triumvirate of owners - Charles Byrne, Joseph Doyle and Ferdinand Abell.

Byrne died during the year and Ebbets, holding nearly 10 percent of the stock, was elected as club president.

In a wild plan, Ebbets and Baltimore owner Harry Von der Horst and Baltimore manager Ned Hanlon became partners. Von der Horst held 30 percent ownership of the Dodgers. Hanlon managed the club and brought along several of Baltimore's top stars, including "Wee" Willie Keeler, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Jim Hughes and Doc McJames.

1899 -- More Oriole players, including Joe "Iron Man" McGinnity, moved over to the Dodgers after Baltimore was dropped when the NL cut back from 12 teams to eight.

1902-1903 -- Abell, Von der Horst and Hanlon sell their shares to Ebbets, giving Ebbets 100 percent control of the team.

1908 -- Ebbets, recognizing that the club could no longer survive in the confines of Washington Park, purchased land in Flatbush bordered by Bedford Avenue, Sullivan Street, Franklin Avenue and Montgomery Street.

1912 -- Ebbets sells 50 percent ownership of the team to Ed and Steve McKeever for $100,000 to obtain the funding needed to finish construction of Ebbets Field. As a result of the partnership, the Brooklyn Baseball Club, Inc. was formed and Ebbets remained president. Ebbets broke ground on his field on March 4.

1913 -- The Dodgers played an exhibition game on April 5 in the unofficial opening of the field. On April 9, 1913, the Dodgers dedicated 18,000-seat Ebbets Field in a game against the Phillies.

1914 -- The beginning of the managerial era of Wilbert Robinson. Robinson would stay through 1931. He made such an impact on the team and city that the Brooklyn ballclub was known as the "Robins" during this period.

1925 -- Ebbets dies, leaving his 50 percent ownership to his wife and children. A week later, Ed McKeever dies, leaving his 25 percent to his family. Robsinson was elected as president shortly after the deaths of Ebbets and McKeever.

1938 -- On Jan. 19, innovative Larry MacPhail was hired as the team's executive vice president to rebuild the Dodgers from near bankruptcy. In March, Steve McKeever died and his stock went to his daughter, Marie Mulvey.

1939 -- MacPhail hired Red Barber (who had been Cincinnati's broadcaster) to come to Brooklyn, effectively ending an agreement among the three New York clubs prohibiting radio broadcasts. The first televised game was on Aug. 26, when the first game of the Cincinnati at Brooklyn doubleheader was aired.

1942 -- Team is free of debt after four profitable years under McPhail. McPhail resigns as team president to enter the army and is replaced by Branch Rickey. Team hires Walter O'Malley as its lawyer.

1944 -- Ed McKeever stock is put up for sale by heirs. Rickey, O'Malley and John Smith buy the 25 percent interest for $347,000.

1945 -- Rickey, O'Malley and Smith buy 50 percent of the team from Ebbets heirs for $750,000, to obtain 75 percent control of the team.

April 11, 1947 - A historical first as Brooklyn broke baseball's color line with the signing of Jackie Robinson. Four days later, Robinson becomes the first black player to play in a major league baseball game.

1948 -- The Dodgers begin their long association with Vero Beach, Fla., as their spring training home.

Oct. 26, 1950 -- O'Malley takes control of Brooklyn Dodgers from Rickey and Smith's family.

1950 -- Broadcaster Vin Scully begins his long association with the Dodgers.

Nov. 24, 1953 -- Walter Alston is named manager. He managed a record 23 seasons and won four World Series championships.

Oct. 4, 1955 -- Brooklyn Dodgers win first World Series championship, defeating New York Yankees, 4-3.

Oct. 8, 1957 -- O'Malley announced that after 68 seasons in Brooklyn, the Dodgers would be moving to Los Angeles. In a move to bring baseball to all parts of the country, the Giants moved the same year to San Francisco. O'Malley had wanted to build a more modern stadium for his ballclub in Brooklyn, New York officials did not want to provide O'Malley with the specific land he had in mind.

April 15, 1958 -- Dodgers play first game after moving to Los Angeles from Brooklyn, lose road game 8-0 to San Francisco Giants.

April 18, 1958 -- Dodgers play first home game in Los Angeles, beat San Francisco Giants, 6-5, before 78,762 at Coliseum.

Oct. 8, 1959 -- Dodgers win first World Series championship in Los Angeles, defeating Chicago White Sox, 4-2.

April 10, 1962 -- Dodger Stadium opens.

Oct. 6, 1963 -- Dodgers win World Series championship, defeating New York Yankees, 4-0.

Oct. 14, 1965 -- Dodgers win World Series championship, defeating Minnesota Twins, 4-3.

March 17, 1970 -- Peter O'Malley appointed Dodgers president.

Sept. 29, 1976 -- Tommy Lasorda takes over for Alston as manager. Lasorda proceeded in his initial two seasons, to win National League pennants becoming only the second NL manager to achieve that feat.

July 8, 1980 -- Dodger Stadium plays host to its first All-Star game, which also marks debut of new DiamondVision board in outfield.

Oct. 28, 1981 -- Dodgers win World Series championship, defeating New York Yankees, 4-2.

April 1987 -- Al Campanis fired as general manager for racial remarks made on ABC-TV's "Nightline," replaced by longtime Dodgers employee Fred Claire.

Oct. 20, 1988 -- Dodgers win World Series championship, defeating Oakland Athletics, 4-1.

Oct. 4, 1992 -- Dodgers complete worst season in franchise history with 63-99 record.

July 29, 1996 -- Lasorda retires as manager for health reasons after 20 seasons. Bench coach Bill Russell replaces him.

December 1996 -- A Baseball America survey polled fans who chose Peter O'Malley as their second-favorite owner in major league baseball.

Jan. 6, 1997 -- Peter O'Malley announces his family will sell Dodgers franchise.

March 19, 1998 -- Baseball owners overwhelmingly approved the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Peter O'Malley to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Group. The $350 million price tag included Dodger Stadium, 300 acres surrounding the ballpark in downtown Los Angeles and training complexes in Vero Beach, Fla., and the Dominican Republic.