1976 Los Angeles Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
The Los Angeles Dodgers
finished the season in second place in the western division
of the National League
. The big news was when long-time manager of two decades Walter Alston
resigned abruptly near the end of the season and was replaced by Tommy Lasorda
who would manage the team for two decades himself.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
finished the season in second place in the western division
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. The big news was when long-time manager of two decades Walter Alston
Walter Alston
Walter Emmons Alston , nicknamed "Smokey," was an American baseball player and manager. He was born in Venice, Ohio but grew up in Darrtown. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he lettered three years in both basketball and baseball and is a member of the University's Hall...
resigned abruptly near the end of the season and was replaced by Tommy Lasorda
Tommy Lasorda
Thomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
who would manage the team for two decades himself.
Offseason
- November 17, 1975: Jimmy WynnJimmy WynnJames Sherman Wynn , nicknamed the "Toy Cannon," is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. During a 15-year baseball career, he played from 1963-1977 for five different teams: the Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers...
, Tom PaciorekTom PaciorekThomas Marian Paciorek is a former Major League outfielder and first baseman for 18 seasons between 1970 and 1987...
, Lee LacyLee LacyLeondaus "Lee" Lacy , is a former Major League baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles, primarily as an outfielder, from 1972-1987.-Trivia:...
and Jerry RoysterJerry RoysterJeron Kennis Royster was a third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and the New York Yankees, as well as a former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and of the Lotte Giants in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Career:He was signed by the Dodgers...
were traded by the Dodgers to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Dusty BakerDusty BakerJohnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Ed GoodsonEd GoodsonJames Edward Goodson is a former first baseman and third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played from 1970-1977 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.-External links:...
. - December 23, 1975: Bob RandallBob Randall (baseball)Robert Lee Randall ais a former professional baseball second baseman. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1976 until 1980, all for the Minnesota Twins....
was traded by the Dodgers to the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Danny WaltonDanny WaltonDaniel James Walton is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Houston Astros , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , New York Yankees , Minnesota Twins , Los Angeles Dodgers , Taiyo Whales , and Texas Rangers...
. - January 7, 1976: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
(January draft) notable picks:
-
- Round 2: Dave PattersonDave PattersonDavid Glenn Patterson is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who pitched in 36 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1979 baseball season.-External links:...
- Round 4: Mookie WilsonMookie WilsonWilliam Hayward "Mookie" Wilson is an American former Major League Baseball center fielder and current coach for the New York Mets. He played 12 years in baseball for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays . He was a switch hitter primarily known for his impressive speed and positive attitude...
(did not sign)- March 2: Willie CrawfordWillie CrawfordWillie Murphy Crawford was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played with Los Angeles Dodgers , St. Louis Cardinals , Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics . Crawford was born in Los Angeles, California. He batted and threw left-handed...
was traded by the Dodgers to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Ted SizemoreTed SizemoreTed Crawford Sizemore was a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers , St...
. - March 2: Ken McMullen was released by the Dodgers.
- March 31: Orlando AlvarezOrlando AlvarezJesús Manuel Orlando Álvarez Monge is a retired professional baseball player who played 4 seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-Transactions:...
and cash were traded by the Dodgers to the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Ellie RodríguezEllie RodríguezEliseo Rodríguez Delgado , is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played from 1968-1976 for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers....
.
- March 2: Willie Crawford
- Round 2: Dave Patterson
Opening Day lineup
| Opening Day starters | |
|---|---|
| Name | Position |
| Bill Buckner Bill Buckner William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6... |
Left fielder Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Ted Sizemore Ted Sizemore Ted Crawford Sizemore was a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers , St... |
Second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
| Dusty Baker Dusty Baker Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers... |
Center fielder Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
| Steve Garvey Steve Garvey Steven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman... |
First baseman First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
| Ron Cey Ron Cey Ronald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed... |
Third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
| Joe Ferguson Joe Ferguson (baseball) Joseph Vance Ferguson is a former catcher/right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams from 1970 through 1983... |
Right fielder Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Steve Yeager Steve Yeager Stephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners... |
Catcher Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
| Bill Russell Bill Russell (baseball) William Ellis Russell is a former shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Russell played his entire 18-year, 2,181-game career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the starting shortstop for four National League pennant winners and one World Series champion... |
Shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
| Don Sutton | Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
Notable transactions
- June 8: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
(June draft) notable picks:
-
- Round 1: Mike SciosciaMike SciosciaMichael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball....
- Round 3: Max VenableMax VenableWilliam McKinley "Max" Venable is a former outfielder/designated hitter in Major League Baseball with a 12-year career from -,-.-Early years:...
- Round 5: Ted PowerTed PowerTheodore Henry Power is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1981-1993 for eight different teams.Power was born on January 31, 1955 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The right-handed pitcher and right-handed batter went to college at Kansas State University...
- Round 6: Mike HowardMike HowardMichael Frederic Howard was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets.Howard broke into the big leagues at age 23, making his debut on September 12, 1981...
- Round 15: Keith MacwhorterKeith MacwhorterKeith MacWhorter is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox during the 1980 season...
- Round 16: Jack PerconteJack PerconteJohn Patrick "Jack" Perconte is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1980-1986....
- Round 35: Scott Fletcher (did not sign)
- Round 1: Mike Scioscia
- Secondary phase
- Round 2: Mike WaltersMike WaltersMichael Charles Walters is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed....
(did not sign)- June 15: Joe FergusonJoe Ferguson (baseball)Joseph Vance Ferguson is a former catcher/right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams from 1970 through 1983...
, Bob DetherageBob DetherageRobert Wayne Detherage is a former Major League Baseball player. Detherage played for Kansas City Royals in the 1980 season. In twenty career games, he had eight hits in 26 at-bats with seven RBIs. He played the Outfield in all of his games.Detherage was drafted originally by the Los Angeles...
and Fred Tisdale (minors) were traded by the Dodgers to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Reggie SmithReggie SmithCarl Reginald Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career , Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest...
. - June 23: Mike Marshall were traded by the Dodgers to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Elias SosaElias SosaElías Sosa Martínez , is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent on March 4, 1968. He played for the Giants , St...
and Lee LacyLee LacyLeondaus "Lee" Lacy , is a former Major League baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles, primarily as an outfielder, from 1972-1987.-Trivia:...
.
- June 15: Joe Ferguson
- Round 2: Mike Walters
Roster
| 1976 Los Angeles Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 117 | 359 | 77 | .214 | 11 | 35 | |
| 1B | 162 | 631 | 200 | .317 | 13 | 80 | |
| 2B | 117 | 427 | 103 | .241 | 4 | 20 | |
| 3B | 145 | 502 | 139 | .277 | 23 | 60 | |
| SS | 149 | 554 | 152 | .274 | 5 | 65 | |
| LF | 154 | 642 | 193 | .301 | 7 | 60 | |
| CF | 112 | 384 | 93 | .242 | 4 | 39 | |
| RF | 65 | 225 | 63 | .280 | 10 | 26 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | 266 | 64 | .241 | 0 | 18 | |
| 54 | 185 | 41 | .222 | 6 | 18 | |
| 83 | 118 | 27 | .229 | 3 | 17 | |
| 36 | 66 | 14 | .212 | 0 | 9 | |
| 18 | 15 | 2 | .133 | 0 | 2 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 226.2 | 11 | 15 | 3.26 | 116 | |
| 31 | 207 | 10 | 10 | 3.09 | 91 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 46.2 | 1 | 2 | 3.86 | 30 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 2.21 | 81 | |
| 24 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3.48 | 20 |
Awards and honors
- Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
- Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
- Steve Garvey
- Comeback Player of the Year AwardMLB Comeback Player of the Year AwardThe Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by Major League Baseball to the player who is judged to have "re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season." The award was developed in 2005, as part of a sponsorship agreement between MLB and Viagra...
- Tommy JohnTommy JohnThomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
- Tommy John
- TSN National League All-Star
- NL Pitcher of the MonthPitcher of the MonthThe Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
- Don Sutton (September 1976)
- NL Player of the MonthPlayer of the MonthThe Player of the Month Award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league every month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award on June 4, 1958. National League president Warren Giles conducted a poll of baseball writers in each Major League city and...
- Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
(September 1976)
- Steve Garvey
- NL Player of the WeekPlayer of the WeekThe Player of the Week award is a Major League Baseball award named by each of the American and National Leagues each week of the regular season...
- Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
(May 17–23) - Reggie SmithReggie SmithCarl Reginald Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career , Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest...
(July 5–11) - Doug RauDoug RauDouglas James Rau , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1981...
(July 19–25) - Don Sutton (Sep. 20-26)
- Steve Garvey
- Hutch AwardHutch AwardThe Hutch Award is given annually to an active Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson...
- Tommy JohnTommy JohnThomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
- Tommy John
All-Stars
- 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1976 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 47th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of...
- Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
, starter, first base - Ron CeyRon CeyRonald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed...
, reserve - Rick RhodenRick RhodenRichard Alan Rhoden is a professional golfer and was a Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 16 year baseball career, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros of the National League; and the New York Yankees of the American League.-Early years:Rhoden was...
, reserve - Bill RussellBill Russell (baseball)William Ellis Russell is a former shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Russell played his entire 18-year, 2,181-game career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the starting shortstop for four National League pennant winners and one World Series champion...
, reserve
- Steve Garvey
