The Los Angeles Dodgers’ logo has remained remarkably consistent over the years, but subtle changes have updated it for newer generations of fans. Some versions over the decades have hinted at the franchise’s history, from moving states to moving times. Unlike many sports teams that completely overhaul their branding every decade or so, the Dodgers have opted for subtle evolution – and not even that for long stretches. 

2012 - Present

The current logo has lasted for good reason: it’s simple, identifiable, and well-composed. The text is slightly diagonal, the logo uses the Dodgers’ blue, red, and white colors, and the baseball is immediately recognizable. In an era where sports have become more global, a logo also carries the weight of international recognition. Fans abroad often follow games live through a VPN and/or streaming platform, making a clear visual identity more important. Many fans from Japan attended Shohei Ohtani’s first World Series game last year. The Sports Business Journal reported that the Dodgers had seen an influx of Asian fans since Ohtani’s signing of a 10-year, $700 million contract.

Brooklyn Dodgers blue logo, 1938 - 1945

The Dodgers, of course, were founded in Brooklyn, and were alternatively known as the Bridgegrooms, then the Grooms, before becoming the Superbas in 1899. The team was then renamed the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers in 1911, then simply the Brooklyn Dodgers the following year. (They also spent 26 years as the Robins until 1930.) During wartime, they used a timeless, elegant “Dodgers” logo in a handwritten style. It was so timeless, in fact, that it set the template for the next 80+ years of logos.

First Californian logo, 1958 - 1968

For their first decade in their new home (after playing their last game at Ebbets Field in 1957), the Dodgers used a blue-and-red logo with a baseball at the top right. They maintained the classy “Dodgers” text, and the next iteration mainly just involved boldening the letters. The lines underneath the ball signal motion or light, without distracting too much from the name. This period marked a pivotal moment in the team’s evolution, bridging their Brooklyn heritage with a new Californian identity. The design managed to feel fresh without completely severing ties to the past, setting the foundation for a time-tested logo. It’s remarkably similar to today’s iteration, with the main difference being the slightly modernised text in the current version.

During these years, the Dodgers twice had the MLB’s MVP, with Maury Wills winning the award in 1962 and Sandy Koufax doing so the following year.

Brooklyn Dodgers blue diamond logo, 1912 - 1913

After their year as the Trolley Dodgers, the team was once again renamed, this time simply the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the new logo lasted only one year. But the design holds up today: a simple, elegant white-and-blue diamond with a stylised “B” in the center. The white diamond, representing a baseball field, is not dissimilar to many modern sports logos, particularly those in soccer. (In fact, it is reminiscent, in different ways, of a few German teams: Hamburger SV, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Schalke 04.) Although the diamond was abandoned for 12 years until 1926, essentially the same design (just with a slightly bigger “B”) returned for another single season.

Wrap Up

The Dodgers’ logo history is largely about refinement. By preserving key elements (the flowing script, the classic color palette, and the baseball), the franchise has created an identity to span generations.

Some iterations have reflected their eras, but the core design language has largely remained intact since the move to California. This consistent branding has contributed to the Dodgers’ global recognition.

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