The Los Angeles Dodgers, LA's professional baseball team, has been in the MLB since 1883. The Dodgers originated in Brooklyn, New York, but were sent to Los Angeles in 1957. The Dodgers celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 31, 2008. Dodger fans have reason to hope for a championship this year, because the team recently acquired former Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez.
The Los Angeles Galaxy is LA's professional soccer team. The team competes in the MLS and has won the championship cup twice this decade (2002 and 2005). The Galaxy also competes in the United States Soccer Federation. They have won its highest trophy, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, twice (2001 and 2005). The Galaxy made history in 2007 by signing England's premier soccer player David Beckham to a five-year $250 million contract. The team has experienced a surge of attention since the Beckham deal, along with moderate success on the field.
The Los Angeles Kings is the city's professional hockey team. The Kings play in the National Hockey League's Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team was formed in 1966 when the NHL decided to expand. They share the Staples Center with LA's professional basketball teams. The Kings have never won the Stanley Cup, but they did win their division in the 1990-91 season and their conference in the 1992-93 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the pride and joy of many Los Angeles natives. This professional basketball team has enjoyed much success in its 48-year stay in the city. Many of the NBA's greatest players have played for the Lakers? franchise, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, and Shaquille O'Neal. Their current roster, coached by Phil Jackson and led by Kobe Bryant, made it to last year's NBA Finals. Check out the Lakers when the 2008-09 season begins this November.
But the Lakers aren't the only NBA team in town. For a cheaper ticket than a Laker game, you can watch the Clippers play. Though the team doesn't have the winning history of the Lakers, they should be competitive this upcoming season.
