The 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season featured the Dodgers celebrating their Golden Anniversary in Southern California under new manager Joe Torre as they won the National League West for the first time since 2004, and returned to the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2007. The Dodgers did not peak until September when the won 17–8, which was highlighted by the acquisition of superstar outfielder Manny Ramirez. Ramirez hit .396 with 17 HRs in 53 games after the trade on July 31. They swept the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS to advance to the NLCS. It was their first playoff series win since 1988 when they went on to win the World Series. However, they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the NLCS.
Season standings
National League West
Record vs. opponents
Opening Day starters
Notable transactions
- June 6, 2008, Acquired Ángel Berroa from the Kansas City Royals for Juan Rivera and cash.
- July 28, 2008, Acquired Casey Blake from the Cleveland Indians for Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan.
- July 31, 2008, Acquired Manny Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox in a 3-team trade, Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris went to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- August 19, 2008, Acquired Greg Maddux from the San Diego Padres for two players to be named later or cash considerations.
2008 roster
Game log
Playoffs
Player stats
Note: Team batting and pitching leaders in each category are in bold.
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; TB = Total bases; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; SB = Stolen bases; OBP = On-base percentage; SLG = Slugging; Avg. = Batting average
Pitching
Note: G = Games played; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; H = Hits; R = Runs; ER = Earned runs
2008 National League Division Series
The Dodgers advanced to the 2008 NLDS to play the Central Division champion Chicago Cubs. They wound up sweeping the Cubs in three games, taking the first two at Wrigley Field and then ending the series in Game 3 at home. This was the Dodgers first post season series victory since the 1988 World Series and first post season sweep since the 1963 World Series.
Game 1, October 1
Wrigley Field in Chicago
Game 2, October 2
Wrigley Field in Chicago
Game 3, October 4
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
2008 National League Championship Series
The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 1988 to play the Philadelphia Phillies, in the fourth National League Championship Series meeting between the two teams.
Game 1, October 9
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
Game 2, October 10
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
Game 3, October 12
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
Game 4, October 13
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
Game 5, October 15
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
2008 Awards
- 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
- Russell Martin reserve
- Gold Glove Award
- Greg Maddux
- Player of the Month
- Manny Ramirez August
- Player of the Week
- Matt Kemp April 28 – May 4
- Andre Ethier September 1–7
2008 Minor League Teams
Major League Baseball Draft
The Dodgers selected 45 players in this draft. Of those, eleven of them would eventually play Major League baseball.
The first round pick was right handed pitcher Ethan Martin from Stephens County School in Toccoa, Georgia. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 (along with this year's second round pick, pitcher Josh Lindblom) and made his Major league debut for the Phillies in 2013. The fourth round pick, shortstop Dee Gordon became an All-Star as the Dodgers second baseman in 2014, when he also led the league in steals.
References
- 2008 Los Angeles Dodgers season at Baseball Reference
