Does this team need a nickname?

You know a team is having a historic season when they have to go back to the early 1900s for comparisons. That's how hot the Dodgers have been.

Which prompted a recent family fan conversation about nicknames. Baseball history has given us the Bronx Bombers, Big Red Machine and takes on team nicknames such as Tribe, Halos, Redbirds, Friars, Brew Crew and Rox.

Frankly, when it comes to team nicknames, the minor leagues have the best. El Paso Chihuahuas, Vermont Lake Monsters, Montgomery Biscuits, Savannah Sand Gnats, Auburn Doubledays, Omaha Storm Chasers, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Las Vegas 51's, Toledo Mud Hens, Reno Aces and Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs -- now those are names.

I've actually seen the Aces play in Reno and the Chihuahuas in Salt Lake City. But those are stories for another day.

During this summer's NCAA College World Series I fell in love with Long Beach State's unofficial nickname, the "Dirtbags." They even had it on their jerseys.

The Dodgers were originally the Trolley Dodgers in Brooklyn. They were sometimes referred to as "Dem Bums." But now we need a nickname that speaks to today's red-hot team that resides in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. One slight problem is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim who don't actually play in Los Angeles. That rules out any references to Angels or angelic hosts or destroying angels.

So what exemplifies baseball prowess and Los Angeles?

Blue Wave could pay homage to L.A.'s beach scene. Blue Thunder could honor the Dodgers' power hitters. Blue Crush sounds like a soft drink. Blue Flame could honor... never mind.

Big Blue Wrecking Crew could be resurrected from the 70's. But no, we need something fresh.

Hollywood is known for movies and movie stars. How about the Starlight Express? No, never mind, that was a musical involving roller skates.

Which leads me to my conclusion. The Dodgers don't need a new nickname and honestly will not merit one until they win another World Series.

Then we can call them champions.