Originally published by DodgerBlue.com

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a strong case to be the latest MLB dynasty by winning back-to-back World Series titles and three in the last six years, their franchise history and success since 2000 is a mixed bag.

Up until the current era there was middling levels of postseason accomplishments since the turn of the century. But during that time has come impressive individual performances and players who carved out a special place in Dodgers franchise history.

The DodgerBlue.com staff has ranked the best Dodgers players in the last 25 years. Among various factors considered, the all-time Dodgers list was compiled by evaluating a player’s contributions and significance to the franchise.

Dodgers quarter-century all-time team

No. 23: Russel Martin

Russell Martin was drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2002 MLB Draft out of Chipola College in Marianna, Fla., but he originally hailed from East York, Canada. Martin rose through the Dodgers’ farm system and ended up making his MLB debut in 2006.

During his rookie season, Martin appeared in 121 games and established himself as the catcher of the present and future for the Dodgers while hitting .282/.355/.436 and finishing ninth in Rookie of the Year voting.

He also helped make MLB history on June 6, 2006, when he and Eric Gagné became the first French Canadian battery. Later, Martin hit the third of four consecutive home runs against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 18 to tie the game.

Martin truly established himself as one of the best catchers in baseball during the 2007 season when he won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards for batting .293/.374/.469 with 19 home runs, 87 RBI and 87 runs scored. He also became the first Canadian-born catcher to start the All-Star Game, his first of four appearances.

During that year, Martin also set the Dodgers’ franchise record for most steals by a catcher, finishing with 21 and surpassing the mark of 12 set by John Roseboro in 1962.

Martin was the Dodgers’ starting catcher for their 2008 and 2009 postseason runs that saw them head to the National League Championship Series in each season. The 2008 season was the first time the Dodgers advanced past the NL Division Series since the 1988 season when they went on to win the World Series.

Over those two years, Martin was a mainstay in the lineup, batting .266/.369/.364 with 20 home runs, 122 RBI, 150 runs scored and 6.3 WAR, despite a dip in production during the 2009 season.

Prior to the start of 2009, Martin signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract to avoid arbitration, the largest deal ever awarded to a catcher in their first eligible year.

But things continued to trend south for the backstop in the 2010 season and it ended with him suffering a torn labrum in his right hip, which led to the Dodgers non-tendering him before the 2011 season.

Martin ended up signing with the New York Yankees, where he earned his third All-Star nod and caught for two seasons before spending another two with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Martin returned to Canada in 2015 when he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and spent six seasons there, earning another All-Star nod in his first season with them.

He ended his career by returning to the Dodgers for one more season in 2019, serving as the backup catcher to Austin Barnes.

In total, Martin spent six seasons with the Dodgers, batting .268/.362/.391 with 60 home runs, 320 RBI, 376 runs scored and 67 stolen bases over 750 games played.

Among all Dodgers hitters since the start of 2000, Martin ranks sixth in WAR (22.9), ninth in games played and stolen bases, 13th in runs scored, 16th in RBI, 24th in batting average and 29th in wRC+ (102).

No. 24: Kiké Hernández

No. 25: Miguel Rojas

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