YEARS: 1889-1897
OWNERS: Charles H. Byrne, Joseph Doyle, Ferdinand Abell
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Dodger Owners: The Timeline
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HISTORY: In 1888, the Brooklyn franchise's name is changed from Grays to Bridegrooms for the seven players who married that season. The Bridegrooms won an American Assn. championship the next season and in 1890 moved to the National League, also winning a championship.
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YEARS: 1898-1902
OWNERS: Charles H. Ebbets, Ferdinand Abell, Harry Von Der Horst, Ned Hanlon
HISTORY: Upon Byrne's death in 1897, Ebbets was elected as club president and entered into a partnership with Baltimore's Von Der Horst and Hanlon.
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YEARS: 1902-1908
OWNERS: Charles H. Ebbets
HISTORY: Citing financial difficulties, Von Der Horst, Hanlon and Abell sold their shares to Ebbets in 1902, making him the sole owner of the franchise, then known as the Superbas.
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YEARS: 1908-1925
OWNERS: Charles H. Ebbets, Edward J. McKeever, Stephen W. McKeever
HISTORY: BTD Ebbets bought land in Flatbush -- where Ebbets Field was built and first used in 1913 -- and took on partners Edward and Stephen McKeever to soften the financial blow.
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YEARS: 1925
OWNERS: Edward J. McKeever, Stephen W. McKeever, and heirs of Charles H. Ebbets
HISTORY: Ebbets died on April 18. At Ebbets' funeral, Edward McKeever fell ill with pneumonia, and died within a week.
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YEARS: 1925-1938
OWNERS: Stephen W. McKeever, and heirs of Edward J. McKeever and Charles H. Ebbets
HISTORY: BTD Stephen McKeever died in March 1938, leaving the team to his daughter, Marie Mulvey. The team, which had been nicknamed the Robins (for longtime manager Wilbert Robinson) since 1914, became the Dodgers for good in 1932.
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YEARS: 1939-1943
OWNERS: Marie Mulvey and heirs of Edward J. McKeever and Charles H. Ebbets
HISTORY: Team prospers under Executive Vice President Larry MacPhail's innovative leadership.
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YEARS: 1944
OWNERS: Walter F. O'Malley, Branch Rickey, John Smith, Marie Mulvey and heirs of Charles H. Ebbets
HISTORY: Ed McKeever's stock is put up for sale by heirs. Branch Rickey, Walter O'Malley and John Smith buy the 25% interest for $347,000.
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YEARS: 1945-1950
OWNERS: Walter F. O'Malley, Branch Rickey, John Smith, minority shareholders
HISTORY: In 1945, Rickey, O'Malley and Smith buy 50% of the team from the Ebbets heirs for $750,000, to amass 75% control of the team. Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in 1947.
