The Unexpected History and Significance of Dodger Orange

The History of Dodger Orange

We all know about Dodger blue, so what's the deal with Dodger orange? What?! That's right, ORANGE has been inextricably linked with the Dodgers since before they were in Dodger Stadium and here's why. Let's get into it!

The Origin of Dodger Orange

The connection between the Dodgers and the color orange dates back to the early 20th century. When the team was known as the Brooklyn Robins (named after manager Wilbert Robinson), one of their sponsors was Wheaties cereal. The cereal boxes featured the team in orange and blue to match the brand's colors.

So even though the Dodgers are known for their signature "Dodger Blue", orange has been part of their history since the very beginning. But the strongest association would come a bit later...

Union Oil and Dodger Stadium

In the late 1950s, the Dodgers were making plans to build a new stadium in Los Angeles. They struck a deal with the Union Oil Company of California (also known as Unocal) to sponsor the scoreboards and signage around the stadium.

As part of the agreement, Union Oil would have its orange, blue and white logo displayed prominently throughout the stadium. The oil company was best known for its orange 76 gas stations dotting California at the time.

When Dodger Stadium opened in 1962, Union 76 Orange was everywhere - on the light towers, fences and of course, the iconic 76 ball sign in the outfield. From the dugouts to the parking lots, it was clear that orange was now an official color of the Dodgers.

Embracing Orange in Branding

Over time, the Dodgers began to fully embrace orange as part of their history and image. They adopted brighter shades of orange as accent colors on uniforms and started integrating it into merchandise and marketing.

Dodger fans now often wear orange shirts and caps to games, representing their pride in the team's connection to its past. For many, donning Dodger orange connects them to the golden era of baseball when the Dodgers played at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and then moved into the state-of-the-art Dodger Stadium.

Orange Lives on in Dodger Culture

Even though the original sponsorship deal with Union Oil ended years ago, Dodger orange remains an iconic part of the team's identity.

The stadium still prominently displays orange on walls, seats and throughout the concourses. It's not Dodger blue, but it's just as symbolic of the team and its heritage.

Next time you're at a Dodgers game, take a look around at all the orange you see. It represents over a half century of Dodger pride and memorabilia for fans to enjoy for years to come.

So now you know - orange may not be the Dodgers' primary color, but it's an integral part of the team's history in Los Angeles. Dodger orange connects fans across generations who bleed both blue and orange!

FAQs

Why is orange associated with the Dodgers?

Orange has been connected to the Dodgers since their days in Brooklyn when Wheaties cereal sponsored the team. The strongest association came from the sponsorship deal with Union Oil when Dodger Stadium opened in 1962.

When did the Dodgers start using orange in their uniforms and merch?

The Dodgers started using brighter shades of orange in their uniforms and merchandise in the years after Dodger Stadium opened. This was to align with the orange displayed all over the stadium.

Does Dodger Stadium still have a lot of orange?

Yes, Dodger Stadium continues to display orange prominently on the light towers, walls, seats, and concourses. It remains an iconic part of the stadium's look and the team's identity.

Why do Dodger fans wear orange?

Many Dodger fans wear orange shirts, hats, and gear to games to represent their pride in the team's history and connection to Union Oil and the golden era of Dodger baseball.

Is orange as significant as Dodger blue?

While blue is still the primary color fans associate with the Dodgers, orange has become an integral part of the team's image and history in Los Angeles.