2017 was something special for LA, as the Los Angeles Dodgers put together a historic season filled with unforgettable highlights.
The Dodgers finished the year with best record in baseball, winning 104 games — the franchise's most since moving to Los Angeles. The Dodgers set several other records along the way as well at both the team and MLB level.
Although fans didn't get the picture perfect ending to a remarkable year, it was a season full of great moments.
Take a look below at 10 of the best Dodgers highlights from a season to remember.
10) Corey Seager's Gram Slam Powers Dodgers Past Reds
One of the Dodgers' trends this past season was to put together comeback wins. That trend didn't end against the Red, down four runs heading into the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Corey Seager stepped up and sent one to the cheap seats to give the second-year player his first grand slam in a Dodgers victory.
9) Puig's Walk-Off Double Completes Comeback Win
Up 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, the White Sox seemed to have control of the game. However three Sox pitchers couldn't close out the Dodgers. After big plays for Forsythe and Barnes, it was time for Yasiel Puig to finish off the comeback victory.
Puig sent a line drive to center to cap off another come-from-behind win.
8) Rich Hill Takes No-Hitter Into The 10th Inning
Rich Hill was on track to a perfect game, and still accomplished something only 19 other pitchers in MLB history have done: take a no-hitter into extra innings.
Hill was going strong until Pirates second baseman, Josh Harrison, stole the spotlight with a devastating walk-off win in the 10th inning.
Even in the losing effort, Hill made MLB history.
7) Clayton Kershaw Reaches 2,000th Career Strike Out Milestone
Kershaw etched his name into MLB history against the Brewers, recording his 2,000th strikeout in a 2-1 extra innings win in Milwaukee. The Dodgers' ace pitched eight inning with 14 strikeouts, only one shy of his career-high.
Kershaw became the fifth youngest player in MLB history to reach the milestone.
6) Alex Wood Pitches Seven Shutout Innings, Improves To 10-0
After being traded to the Dodgers in 2015, Woods did not established himself in the team's rotation until this past season. In a season series game against the Diamondbacks, Woods heated up fast and didn't allow any hits in through seven innings. The left-handed pitcher became the first Dodger starter to start 10-0 since Don Newcombe in 1955.
5) Bellinger Hits For the Cycle
Bellinger becomes the ninth player in Dodgers history to hit for the cycle.
The 22-year-old singled in the first inning, hit a two-run homer in the third, an RBI double in the fourth and smacked a triple on the first pitch of the seventh. The Dodgers rode Bellinger's hot streak and cruised to an easy 7-1 win over the Marlins.
4) Kyle Farmer Walks Off In MLB Debut
Trailing by one in the 11th, Dave Roberts turned to rookie Kyle Farmer.
In his first league at-bat, Farmer smacked one to right field to bring home Corey Seager and Justin Turner. Farmer was swarmed his Dodger teammates, including Alex Wood, a college teammate of his at the University of Georgia.
3) Bellinger Sets Rookie Home Records
Cody Bellinger makes history, breaking two records in one month.
In a loss to the Padres, Bellinger hit his 36th home run, snapping Mike Piazza's record for most home runs in a season by a Dodgers rookie. The rookie's historic milestones wouldn't stop there either. A few weeks later, Bellinger's 39th bomb of the season set the record for most home runs by a NL Rookie.
2) Justin Turner's Walk-Off Home Run In Game 2 of NLCS
Justin Turner sends the city of LA in a frenzy.
On the 29th anniversary of Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series, Turner put the Dodgers up 2-0 over the Cubs in the NLCS with a walk-off blast of his own.
1) Dodgers Clinch First NL Penant Since 1988
Up 11-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Charlie Culberson caught a line drive to close out the NLCS, punching the Dodgers' World Series ticket. Kike Hernandez was the star of the evening with three home runs, as the team clinched its first NL Pennant since 1988.
The Dodgers could not bring home a World Series, but they enjoyed a historic season nonetheless.
Dodgers Opening Day for 2018 is set for Thursday, March 29, as the Boys in Blue host the San Francisco Giants.
Honorable Mentions
- Kenley Jansen ices the game against the Giants to help the Dodgers clinch the National League West Title for the 5th consecutive year
- Dodgers rout Mets 12-0, Corey Seager blasts three HRs
- Dodgers rip Padres in season opener, 14-3
Photo: Getty Images