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Dodgers: Ranking the best Opening Day lineups in Los Angeles history

By Jeffrey Bellone

LOS ANGELES, CA - 1958: Ex-Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella meets with Pee Wee Reese at the batting cages in 1958 in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - 1958: Ex-Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella meets with Pee Wee Reese at the batting cages in 1958 in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tosses his bat as he watches his second solo home run of the game, in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on September 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tosses his bat as he watches his second solo home run of the game, in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on September 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

2) 2014: Justin Turner becomes a superstar

Justin Turner was a utility player for the Mets before joining the Dodgers in 2014 and turning into a .340 hitter seemingly overnight. With Turner replacing Mark Ellis at second base, this Dodgers lineup developed into a random combination of has-beens and up-and-comers who each decided to have breakout seasons at the same time.

Los Angeles Dodgers 2014 Opening Day
Batting
Yasiel Puig RF
Justin Turner 2B
Hanley Ramirez SS
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Scott Van Slyke LF
Juan Uribe 3B
Andre Ethier CF
A.J. Ellis C
Clayton Kershaw P

Adrian Gonzalez built off his 2013 season to become Silver Slugger again. Yasiel Puig played his most complete season as a Dodger, suiting up for 148 games, making his lone All-Star team, and batting .296/.382/.480. Even Juan Uribe, at 35-years-old, found the fountain of youth, batting .311 over 103 games.

Most special about this Opening Day lineup was Clayton Kershaw. By now, he was automatic as the first day starter, but in 2014, he had perhaps his best season ever, leading the National League in wins, ERA, and complete games, on his way to the Cy Young and MVP awards.

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