Why Are the Dodgers Called the Dodgers? Name Origins ExploredHome > Entertainment > Celebrity > SportsSource: Twitter / @Dodgers Why Are the Dodgers Called the Dodgers The MLB Franchise Has Quite the HistoryBy Allison DeGrusheMay 16 2022, Published 5:34 p.m. ET With the 2022 MLB season in full swing, we have to admit — the Los Angeles Dodgers are already having quite the year. As of now, the legendary baseball franchise is leading the National League West with 21 wins and 12 losses ... that's pretty impressive.Article continues below advertisement Now, we could go on and on about the team's incredible season, but there's other business we must attend to (particularly the origin of the club's name). So, why are the Dodgers called the Dodgers? Here's everything we know.Source: Getty ImagesArticle continues below advertisement Why are the Dodgers called the Dodgers We're here to answer one of the MLB community's most burning questions: "Why are the Dodgers called the Dodgers " The franchise's history goes way back, with the team established as the Brooklyn Atlantics in 1883. The team was known by several other monikers, including the Bridegrooms, Grooms, Superbas, Robins, and, eventually, the Trolley Dodgers. According to the MLB, the name Trolley Dodgers became official in 1896; back then, "heavy construction of electric trolley tracks in front of Eastern Park caused fans to dodge the trolleys to reach the park." As a result, "those fans became known as Trolley Dodgers, and the team took on the name, which was shortened to Dodgers."Article continues below advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) Although the Trolley Dodgers nickname stuck and was used heavily throughout this period, it didn't appear on the team's uniform until 1933. Per the MLB, once the franchise relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the Dodgers name moved with them.Article continues below advertisement The electric trolley terrified many Brooklyn pedestrians In May 2007, Joseph P. Sullivan published a piece titled "The terror of the trolley" in the Journal of Urban Technology. The author claimed that the electric trolley is "an object of nostalgic affection" in the present day. While some are thrilled to see the vehicles roll down the street now, it wasn't always sunshines and rainbows. Ah, the Trolley Dodgers…now it makes sense pic.twitter.com/LdFhQamxnZ— Dave Marek (@dmarek94) February 6, 2022 Article continues below advertisement "In the 1890s, the electric trolley terrified many New Yorkers. The electric streetcar was much faster than a horse streetcar and caused many accidents," Joseph stated. "In Brooklyn especially, the trolley frequently killed or maimed young children. As a result, the electric trolley became a symbol of the chaotic nature of modern, urban life." Additionally, he revealed that by 1895, "the trolley had killed 107 people and injured about 450." He added it "became an exemplar of random death," noting that "the explorer R.E. Peary said he thought the Brooklyn trolley as dangerous as an Arctic expedition."Article continues below advertisement "A restaurant keeper in Yellowstone Park told his guests that he had left Brooklyn and fled to the West only after the trolley had killed his family," Joseph continued. "The team, like the Yellowstone restaurant keeper, eventually deserted Brooklyn but kept its history in its new name — the Los Angeles Dodgers." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) We don't know about you, but we just learned a lot. Though these trolleys were incredibly detrimental to New York's previous preferred transportation, we hope the team and the MLB community continues to honor those who lost their lives to them.AdvertisementMore from Distractify The MLB Is Shifting Away From Defensive Shifts, Aiming for “Best Form of the Game” The Dodgers Had to Play a Wild-Card Game Even Though They’ve Been Killing It We Finally Know Why the Dodgers Pat Their Heads During Games Latest Sports News and UpdatesAdvertisementABOUT DistractifyAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseDMCASitemapCONNECT with DistractifyLink to Facebook Link to TwitterLink to InstagramContact us by Email Copyright 2022 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.