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Dodgers: Remembering franchise’s all-time most versatile players

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 31: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits for the play during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 31: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waits for the play during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 2021 defense of their World Series title has them in the thick of a pennant race and they remain among the best teams in baseball. One of the key contributors on the team is Chris Taylor.

Taylor can find himself in the top five of almost every offensive category for the team, and not only is he helping at the plate, but he’s acting as a Swiss Army knife on defense, filling positions both in the infield and outfield.

Taylor’s success is enough to warrant some All-Star consideration this year, and he is proving to be considered among the most versatile players in Dodgers history.

In honor of Taylor’s season to remember, it’s worth looking at some of the most versatile players in Dodgers baseball history, players who gave their managers a chance to put them all over the diamond.

These Dodgers are the team’s most versatile players of all time.

Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Jackie Robinson statue on Major League Baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Jackie Robinson: 1947-1956 (1B, 2B, 3B, LF)

Not only was Jackie Robinson a great pioneer as the first African American to integrate baseball, but he was a great athlete who lettered at UCLA in four varsity sports, something no one has duplicated at his alma mater.

His great athleticism translated to the baseball diamond once he became a Brooklyn Dodger. In 1947, his rookie season, Robinson learned a new position playing first base for the first time in his life to keep Eddie Stanky at second base. Robinson took to the position and led the league in double plays turned on his way to being named Rookie of the Year and helping the Dodgers win the NL pennant.

The next year, Robinson would move to his natural position at second base, where he would lead the league in fielding percentage in 1948 1950 and 1951. Starting in 1953, Robinson would play multiple positions until the end of his career, seeing significant time at third base and left field, once placing fifth in the league with nine outfield assists.

In 1956, Robinson at the age of 37 started games at first, second, third base, and in left field showing his versatility in his last year of baseball.

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