Dodgers | narcissism

Opening Day Roster:

We tend to remember the Dodgers of the 1970s as a dominant club - a team with stars and with the success to go with those stars. In actuality, though they had their stars, they didn't have all that much success to show for it. 3 post-season appearances leading to 3 early exits from the World Series. Very good, to be sure, but not what we might normally have in mind when considering a team like the Dodgers of 1970s. The 1960s and then the 1980s were better decades to wear Dodger blue - 7 post-season appearances leading to 4 World Series titles.

The Dodgers of the 1970s certainly had star power, though, and it has to begin with that infield - from 1974 through 1981, Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey were fixtures. Individually, it was even more impressive - Garvey: 8 straight seasons at 1st; Lopes: 9 at second; Russell: 12 at short; Cey: 10 at third. Between them, they made 21 All Star games.

In 1977, the Dodgers won 98 games and finished 10 games ahead of the Reds. They beat the Phillies 3-1 in the NLCS, but lost to the Yankees 4-2 in the Series. In 1978 they went into the season with just a single new face - reliever Terry Forster. They hung around in 2nd and even 3rd place for much of the year, finally clinching the division on September 24, and ending the year just 2.5 games over Cincinnati. They again beat the Phillies 3-1, and again lost to the Yankees, 4-2.

As we might expect from of one of the best organizations in baseball, the Dodger farm system was loaded with future stars, including Steve Sax at Lethbridge in the Rookie League, Ron Kittle at A Clinton, Mike Scioscia at AA San Antonio and Mickey Hatcher at AAA Albuquerque.

Tommy Lasorda was entering only his second full season as manager after taking over for the legendary Walter Alston during the 1976 season. Tommy's coaching crew consisted of Monty Basgall at 1st, Preston Gomez at 3rd, Red Adams with the pitchers, Jim Lefebvre and Jim Gilliam with the hitters and Mark Cresse in the bullpen. Tragedy struck when coach Gilliam, himself a favorite Dodger player going all the way back to their days in Brooklyn, suffered a massive brain hemorrhage on Septemebr 15, then lingered in a coma until passing away the day before the 1st game of the World Series.

Burt Hooton, SP:

Ironically nick-named "Happy", the often stoic Hooton had an outstanding year. He went 19-10 (most wins on the team), and would have won 20 or more but for 2 early 1-0 losses. He came on particulalry strong in the second half, going 11-1 from early July through mid-September, including wins in 6 straight starts in August and September. On June 23 he gave the team a huge boost by shutting out the Reds in L.A. on 3 hits. His 2.71 ERA was the best among the 5 main starters.

Tommy John, SP:

Three years removed from the surgery which now bears his name, Tommy posted a record of 17-10, a 3.30 ERA and 124 strikeouts. In 3 straight April starts, he authored complete game wins. Towards the end of the year he gave himself a 50-50 shot of being with the Dodgers in 1979. He signed as a free agent with the Yankees in November.

Doug Rau, SP:

1978 found Doug in his 5th season as a part of the Dodgers' rotation. He finished with a record of 15-9 and a 3.26 ERA. He won his first 5 starts of the season, and on August 9 shut out the Padres on 5 hits in L.A.

Rick Rhoden, SP:

Rick was in the rotation most of the year, but at the end of July, with his record standing at 8-6 and his ERA at 3.90, he had to sit for a couple weeks because of a tender arm. Bob Welch took his spot in the rotation for the rest of the year. He threw out of the pen in late August and into September, and had 3 starts down the final stretch. On September 19, he helped the team enormously by shutting out Cincinnati on 3 hits.

Don Sutton, SP:

A year after starting the All Star Game for the National League, Don posted a record of 15-10, and led the team with 154 strikeouts. On July 18, he picked up his 200th career win, making him only the second Dodger to do so (Drysdale being the other). On August 20 in the Shea Stadium visitors' clubhouse, Don and Steve Garvey came to blows after comments Sutton made which were critical of the attention Garvey was getting hit the papers.

Bobby Castillo, RP:

Bobby, who won 19 games in Monterrey in 1977, beat out Lance Rautzhan for the final pitching berth on the Dodgers' staff in 1978. But after going 0-3 with a 4.11 ERA, he was sent down to Albuquerque on June 19 in exchange for Bob Welch. He was recalled in September.

Mike Garman, RP:

Mike only made it into 10 games before being traded to the Expos on May 20 for minor leaguers Gerry Hannahs and Larry Landreth. He loved playing for the Dodgers and Tommy Lasorda in particular, and was shocked and almost in tears when he got the news.

Charlie Hough, RP:

Already in his 8th season, Charlie worked out of the Dodger bullpen in 1978, earning 7 saves to go with a 5-5 record and 3.28 ERA. To say he hung around a while would be an understatement - On April 5, 1993, he was the starting and winning pitcher for the Florida Marlins in their first-ever game against - wait for it - the Dodgers.

Terry Forster, CL:

The Dodgers' only acquisition during the off-season and their first ever free agent signing, Terry was told by Lasorda that they wanted him previously but the White Sox were charging a dollar a pound for him and L.A. simply couldn't afford him at that rate. In any event, as the Dodgers' closer, Terry earned 22 saves, along with a 5-4 record and a sparkling 1.93 ERA. He missed a week in late April with stretched ligaments in his pitching hand, and a week in June with a tender elbow.

Jerry Grote, C:

The long-time Met (he was the starting catcher on their 1969 championship club) was used as the Dodgers' second string catcher in 1978 and also got into a few games at third. He saw some regular action action in June in relief of Steve Yeager while Yeager was going through a slump. Grote sufferred a bone fracture in his left wrist and was placed on the DL on July 1. He returned to action on August 8.

Johnny Oates, C:

On a team with 3 catchers (4 after Ferguson's arrival), Johnny was the lone lefty. As such he started 18 games behind the plate over the course of the year and was used as a pinch-hitter in a number more. In 40 total appearances he hit .307. On July 8 in Houston, his 2-run single in the sixth was the game-winner for L.A.

Ron Cey, IF:

The Penguin was in his 6th of 10 straight seasons as the Dodgers' starting third baseman. He hit 23 HR, with 84 RBI and a .279 batting average. On June 11 in Montreal he went 2-for-5 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and a run scored. On September 11 in Candlestick Park, he went 3-for-3 with 2 HR, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Lee Lacy, IF:

A reserve primarily in the outfield and at second base, Lee saw a number of starts at second in May and June filling in for an injured Davey Lopes. He made his mark in 1978 as a pinch-hitter. On May 2 and 6 he hit HRs in consecutive PH at bats, and he wound up with a total of 4 PH HRs on the year, including an inside-the-park job on August 3 in San Francisco.

Ted Martinez, IF:

The team's all purpose infield reserve, Ted had knee surgery in September of 1977, which caused him to miss the post-season. Fully recovered for 1978, he got into 54 games primarily as as a late-inning defensive replacement. In a rare start on September 27 in Cincinnati, Ted went 2-for-2 with a HR, 3 RBI and a run scored.

Dusty Baker, OF:

Despite being the subject of trade rumors (to San Diego for Dave Winfield?), Dusty played his third season as L.A.'s left fielder in 1978. His numbers were off a bit from 1977, but on April 26 in Cincinnati he did go 5-for-5 for the first time in his career. He missed a week in May with a pulled hamstring, and on July 23 he collided with Russell and was knocked out. He left the game, but was able to return the next day.

Steve Yeager, C:

Steve entered the season as the team's starting catcher. In June, as he was struggling to keep his average above .200, he sat occasionally in favor of Jerry Grote. Mid-year, he pulled a muscle around his rib cage which cause him to miss almost all of July, and he was finally sent to the DL on August 8 when Jerry Grote returned from his own injury. Steve returned on August 25, and shared starting duties with Joe Ferguson down the stretch. He hit a career-worst .193 on the year.

Steve Garvey, IF:

A perennial all-star, .300 hitter and Gold Glove winner; one time NL MVP, multiple time All Star Game and NLCS MVP; owner of the National League's consecutive games played record; clean-cut, attractive and articulate. That was Steve Garvey in L.A. in the 1970s. As the Dodger first baseman in 1978, he led the team with 113 RBI and a .316 average, and led the league with 202 hits. There was some bottled up resentment on the club over his celebrity, and it came to a head between he and Don Sutton on August 20 in the form of a clubhouse brawl. Subsequent personal issues did much to tarnish his All-American aura, and despite his success on the field, he's often an afterthough today in discussions of the great 1970s players.

Dave Lopes, IF:

During spring training Davey was named team Captain, the first to hold the title since Willie Davis in 1973, and only the 5th man overall to do so, after Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Maury Wills and Davis. He led the team with 45 stolen bases (he was caught just 4 times all year), and hit 17 HR. He won a Gold Glove for his work at second, but was forced to miss several games in May with a pulled left shoulder muscle and 2 weeks in June with a pulled chest muscle that became inflamation of the chest lining.

Bill Russell, IF:

The Dodger shortstop played his entire career (1969-1986) in Chavez Ravine. In 1978, he hit .286 with 16 stolen bases and 51 RBI. On July 23 against the Cardinals he and Dusty Baker collided chasing a fly on the first play of the game and were both knocked out. Bill left the game and missed the following day, but was back in action after that. His bottom of the 10th single in game 4 of the NLCS drove in the game winning run and clinched the pennant for L.A.

Glenn Burke, OF:

Glenn saw action in 16 games as an outfield reserve before being traded to the A's for Bill North on May 17. A free spirit who was popular with his L.A. teammates, Burke wasn't thrilled with the trade, but he didn't complain.

Vic Davalillo, OF:

After a couple years in the Mexican League, the former Cleveland star was signed by the Dodgers for 1977. In 1978, he was used as a reserve outfielder, pinch-hitter and pinch-runner. He batted .312, and hit a PH HR in New York on August 20.

Manny Mota, OF:

Manny was used exclusively as a pinch-hitter in 1978. In 33 at-bats, he hit .303 and drove in 6 runs. He finished the year with 132 career PHs, and finished his career in 1979 with a then-record 150.

In-Season Moves:

Rick Monday, OF:

After missing time in 1977 because of a back injury he suffered trying to make a shoestring catch in the Astrodome, Rick came to spring training feeling 100% and entered the season as the team's starting center fielder. He started out strong, with 8 HR and 19 RBI in his first 15 games. However, a severe hamstring pull and a hurt shoulder as a result of crashing into the outfield wall in L.A. ate into his playing time. Once Bill North arrived in mid-May, the two essentially platooned in center for the rest of the year. He wound up with 19 HR, 57 RBI and a .254 average.

Reggie Smith, OF:

Reggie continued as one of the game's most underrated stars in 1978. He led the Dodgers with 28 HR and hit .295 with 70 RBI. He played through a number of injuries, including a groin pull, a bad heel and a pulled achilles, and was forced to sit for 2 weeks in June with a hurt shoulder. When he came to bat at home the fans chanted, and the scoreboard flashed "Reg-gie! Reg-gie!", much like in another stadium across the country. In early June he had to be restrained from entering the stands after a fan threw a can of beer at him.

Bill North, OF:

Bill, the final remaining Oakland player from their championship years, was traded to the Dodgers by the A's on May 17 in exchange for Glenn Burke. He was so thrilled to go to L.A. that he had no problem with shaving his beard on Lasorda's instruction. He and Monday platooned in center for the remainder of the year. He stole 27 bases for the Dodgers after coming over.

Lance Rautzhan, RP:

Lance went 4-1 down the stretch in 1977, and won a game against the Phillies in the NLCS. He began 1978 in Albuquerque but was called up on May 20 when Mike Garman was traded to the Expos for 2 minor leaguers. In 43 relief appearances, he posted a 2.93 ERA and earned 4 saves to go with a 2-1 record.

Bob Welch, RP:

Called up from Albuquerque on June 19 in exchange for Bobby Castillo, Bob made his major league debut on the 20th - he threw 2 innings of 1-hit relief against the Astros. He won his first major league start on the 30th in Cincinnati. He entered the rotation to stay in early August and won his first 3 starts. The rookie threw 3 complete game shutouts and finished the season 7-4 with a 2.02 ERA. In the World Series, he struck out Reggie Jackson with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 9th to preserve LA's 4-3 win in game 2 at Yankee Stadium.

Joe Ferguson, C:

Joe was thrilled to come back to L.A. via a trade with the Astros on July 1 for 2 players-to-be-named. He and Steve Yeager shared starting duties behind the plate from there on.

Dennis Lewallyn, RP:

Dennis was called up from Albuquerque on July 25 as the Dodgers expanded their roster from 24 to 25 men. He made a single relief appearance on July 30 before being sent back down in exchange for Enzo Hernandez on August 8.

Enzo Hernandez, IF:

The former Padre speedster was signed in April and played the year in Albuquerque until being brought up in exchange for Dennis Lewallyn on August 8. He made it into 4 games - 2 at short and 2 as a pinch-runner. His final major league appearance came on August 19 at Shea - he started at short and went 0-for-2. He was released on August 25 when Steve Yeager came off the DL.

Myron White, OF:

Called up when rosters expanded in September, Myron made his major league debut on the 4th as a pinch-runner against the Giants. He got into another 5 games before making his final major league appearance on October 1 - as a mid-game replacement in right field, he went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Rudy Law, OF:

Called up in September, Rudy made his major league debut on the 12th as a pinch-runner in San Francisco.

Joe Simpson, OF:

1978 marked the 4th consecutive season in which Joe had a limited call-up with the Dodgers. He was brought up in September and saw action in 10 games. Beginning in 1979 he had a few years as a regular in Seattle.

Pedro Guerrero, IF:

Pedro was called up in September from Albuquerque where he had hit .337 with 116 RBI and 14 HR. He made his major league debut on the 22nd as a pinch-hitter against the Padres - he singled and wound up coming around to score.

Brad Gulden, C:

A September call-up, Brad made his major league debut on the 22nd as a defensive replacement for Joe Ferguson against the Padres.

Dave Stewart, RP:

The future World Series MVP was summoned from Albuquerque in September, and made his major league debut on the 22nd, throwing 2 innings of scoreless relief agains the Padres. He would put in more time in the minors before surfacing again at the major league level in 1981.

Gerry Hannahs, P:

Acquired in the trade with Montreal for Mike Garman on May 20, Gerry played at Albuquerque until being called up in September. He made just one appearance, pitching 2 innings in relief on the 22nd against the Padres. He gave up 3 hits and 2 runs.