Dodgers Nation Wishes Eric Karros A Happy 47th Birthday

On this date 47 years ago, the future Los Angeles Dodgers all-time home run leader was born. Eric Karros was a Dodger first baseman that made his debut in 1991 and remained with the team until 2002.

Karros was born in New Jersey, but moved to California during his childhood and attended UCLA. The Dodgers selected him in the sixth round of the 1988 amateur draft and he would go on to become the everyday first baseman in 1992. He hit .257 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI, earning himself the NL Rookie of the Year Award, the first of five consecutive Dodgers to win the Rookie Of The Year award.

The right-handed slugger became one of the most consistent players, averaging 26 home runs and 95 RBI in his career. In 1995, Karros won the NL Silver Slugger at first base after he hit .298 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI. His best statistical season came in 1999 when he set career-highs in batting average (.304), doubles (40), hits (176), home runs (34) and RBI (112).

Despite his productive numbers, Karros was never selected to play in an All-Star game in his 14-year career. The now 47-year-old has cemented his name in the Dodger record books though. His 270 home runs as a Dodger is the most all-time for the team’s history in Los Angeles and he ranks third all-time in home runs in Dodger, Brooklyn or Los Angeles history. He’s also in the top 10 in Dodger history for doubles and RBI.

In his career with the Dodgers, the team only made the postseason twice and never won a playoff game. Karros did hit two home runs in the 1995 NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds. He would experience his first postseason victory with the Chicago Cubs in 2003.

After his retirement in 2004, Karros went on to became a baseball broadcaster for Fox and KCAL. He has also worked with Fox Sports and ESPN and is currently a broadcaster for Fox Saturday Baseball.

Dodgers’ Video Tribute to Eric Karros: