Dodgers: Who is the best first baseman in franchise history?

UNSPECIFIED - UNDATED: Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges photographed at first base during practice. (Photo by Barney Stein/Sports Studio Photos/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED - UNDATED: Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges photographed at first base during practice. (Photo by Barney Stein/Sports Studio Photos/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1994: Eric Karros #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes the throw over at first base against the New York Mets during a Major League Baseball game circa 1994 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Karros played for the Dodgers in 1991-02. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Consistent Dodgers

Eric Karros is a player whose numbers get lost in the steroid era. As juiced hitters were hitting 50+ home runs every single season, Karros, who was always open to drug testing, put up solid numbers that couldn’t quite keep pace with the inflated totals of muscled sluggers.

The first baseman from UCLA ranks third all-time in home runs among Dodger greats with 270. He has hit the most home runs in “Los Angeles” Dodger history. From 1992-2000, he consistently hit 20-35 home runs every single season. His best performance coming in 1995, when he won the Silver Slugger Award behind a 32 home run, 105 RBI, and .298/.369/.535 season with the stick.

As Karros displayed consistency at the plate, Wes Parker represented a steady presence in the field, winning six Gold Glove Awards during his nine seasons with the Dodgers. Parker ranks behind Karros in terms of all-time Dodger great first baseman, but his time with the franchise still puts him in an elite class.

Parker’s best season came in 1970 when he finished fifth in MVP voting, while smashing a league-most 47 doubles to aid an impressive .319 batting average and .458 slugging percentage. The switch-hitting first baseman finished tops in the National League in fielding percentage six times, his career .996 fielding percentage as a first baseman ranks 14th in baseball history.