Dodgers complete historic worst-to-first run

PHOENIX -- By clinching the National League West with their 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon, the Dodgers made history. The 2013 Dodgers are just the fourth team ever to finish in first place after being in last place on July 1 or later, per Elias Sports.

The Dodgers at their low point were 30-42 on June 21, in last place and 9½ games behind Arizona in the division. The latest the Dodgers were in last place was July 1, when they were 38-43 and 3½ games back.

The Dodgers were in first place by July 22 and haven't looked back since. They are 58-23 (.716) after that 30-42 start.

Here are the other teams to complete the worst-to-first comeback:

1914 Braves

The Miracle Braves have already been associated with this Dodgers team, one of just three teams (along with the 2009 Rockies) to go from at least 12 games under .500 to at least 24 games over .500 in the same season. The Braves in 1914 were in last place as late as July 18, after their 78th game. They won the World Series.

1973 Mets

A tightly-bunched National League East saw the Mets in last place on Aug. 30, after their 132nd game, 6½ games out of first place. But a 21-8 finish gave the 82-79 Mets the divisional crown. Willie Mays, in his final season, and the Mets made it to the World Series but lost to the Athletics in the second of three straight Oakland World Series wins.

1995 Mariners

Randy Johnson and the "refuse to lose" Seattle squad were in last place as late as July 16, after their 73rd game, eight games behind the Angels. The Mariners eventually caught and passed the Angels, then beat them in a one-game playoff in The Kingdome. Seattle beat the Yankees in Don Mattingly's final season in the ALDS, but lost to the 100-44 Indians in the ALCS.