What is a Dodger? As in the LA Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers got the name "Dodgers" from when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The name came from the fact that people in Brooklyn were said to be skilled at dodging the city's many trolleys. The team began in 1884 as the Brooklyn Grays, but by 1891 they became known as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers, which was later shortened to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

"Trolley dodger" was a common nickname for residents of Brooklyn, because there was a vast network of street car lines all throughout the city and pedestrians had to dodge trolleys regularly when crossing the street.

The word "dodger" is defined as "one that dodges or evades" or "a shifty, dishonest person; a trickster." Though it's not an official reason for the name, some may feel it applies to a baseball team because players have to dodge to avoid being tagged out, and because players can be seen as tricksters for stealing bases and catching others stealing. Pitchers are also known to throw tricky pitches.