Most have long forgotten that today’s Los Angeles Dodgers had their roots in Brooklyn, New York. The original Brooklyn Dodgers name was derived from residents who would dodge trolley cars when crossing streets for decades until their own decline and final death in the 1950’s.
Ordinary Brooklyn natives could ride the bus, trolley or subway to Ebbets Field to see their beloved Dodgers. Everyone could afford a bleacher, general admission, reserve or box seat. Hot dogs, beer, other refreshments and souvenirs were reasonably priced. Team owners would raise or reduce a player’s salary based on their performance the past season. Salaries were so low, that virtually all Dodger players worked at another job off season.
Most Dodger players were actually neighbors who lived and worked in various communities in the County of Kings. Television was a relatively new technology and the local movie theater was still king for entertainment.
The Dodgers departure from Brooklyn coincided with many residents also moving out of town. Many in search of the American dream moved to neighborhoods in eastern Queens, Nassau or Suffolk County. Their desire had them leave Brooklyn to own their own home leaving a more crowded urban environment for the open space of the outer boroughs or suburbs.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
