Copyright © Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc.
The 1977 Dodgers
- 1977 Record:
- 98-64, 1st place in N.L. Western Division
- Postseason:
- Won N.L. Pennant, 3-1, over Philadelphia Phillies; Lost to the New York Yankees, 4-2, in the World Series
- Manager:
- Tommy Lasorda
- All-Stars:
- Tommy Lasorda, Cch.; Ron Cey, 3B; Steve Garvey, 1B; Don Sutton, P; Reggie Smith, OF
- Home Attendance:
- 2,955,087
Season Recap:
1977 Dodgers Yearbook
Copyright © Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc.
A big change at the top occurred in 1977, as Tommy Lasorda began his first season as Manager of the Dodgers. Lasorda, who had managed the majority of the roster players in the minors, motivated the Dodgers and instilled a winning attitude from the start. In making their first appearance in the World Series since 1974, the Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, three games to one, to win the N.L. Pennant. The turning point was in the third game of the NLCS, as the Dodgers trailed 5-3 in the ninth inning in Veterans Stadium on October 7. With two out, pinch-hitter Vic Davalillo dragged a bunt down the first base line and beat it out for a single. Manny Mota came off the bench to do what he always did — get a hit. Mota had two strikes on him before lacing a double down the left-field line to score Davalillo. Davey Lopes singled to score Mota with the tying run and Bill Russell singled home the game winner. In a rain-soaked game the next day, left-hander Tommy John gave it all he had to win 4-1 and the Dodgers claimed the Championship.
1977 World Series Dodgers - press pin
In the World Series against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers split the first two games in New York, before returning to Dodger Stadium and losing two of three games. Back in New York for Game 6, the Dodgers and Burt Hooton lost 8-4 to Mike Torrez. The year will always be remembered as the first time in history that four members of a team belted 30 or more home runs in the same season. That quartet consisted of Steve Garvey (33), Reggie Smith (32), Ron Cey (30) and Dusty Baker (30). Baker achieved the feat when he slugged a home run in his last at-bat of the season off Houston’s J.R. Richard. Smith hit .307 with 87 RBI. The Dodgers jumped out of the starting gate in April to win 17 of their first 20 games and built a comfortable 7 1/2-game lead in the N.L. West. By May 27, the lead was increased to 13 games and they never were headed. As a team, the powerful Blue Crew hit a then-L.A. record 191 home runs. Third baseman Cey helped the Dodgers to a successful April with a record 29 RBI for the month, powered by nine home runs and a .425 batting average. John continued to bounce back and get stronger from his reconstructed elbow surgery to win 20 games with a 2.78 ERA. He pitched the division-clinching game on September 20 to earn his 19th win. Other Dodger pitching standouts were Rick Rhoden, who won 16 games; Doug Rau, who had 14 victories; Don Sutton, who added 14 more wins; and Hooton, who had 12 wins. In the bullpen, Charlie Hough garnered 19 saves before the All-Star break and was aided by Mike Garman and Elias Sosa. Former Manager Walter Alston had his uniform number 24 retired by the Dodger organization on June 5. In the 1977 June Free Agent Draft, the Dodgers tabbed pitcher Bob Welch and infielder-outfielder Mickey Hatcher.
Below are the Dodger Front Office department heads and personnel, plus scouts who worked for Walter O’Malley.
- Board of Directors
- Walter O’Malley, Chairman of the Board; Peter O’Malley, President; Harry M. Bardt, Treasurer; Roland Seidler, Jr., Secretary; Sylvan Oestreicher, Robert L. Gordon, H. C. McClellan — Director Emeritus
- President:
- Peter O’Malley
- Vice President, Player Personnel:
- Al Campanis
- Vice President, Minor League Operations:
- William P. Schweppe
- Vice President, Marketing:
- Merritt Willey
- Vice President, Public Relations & Promotions:
- Fred Claire
- Special Consultant:
- Walter Alston
- Controller & Assistant Treasurer:
- Ken Hasemann
- Assistant Secretary:
- Irene Tanji
- Director of Advertising, Novelties & Souvenirs:
- Danny Goodman
- Director, Dodgertown:
- Charlie Blaney
- Director, Stadium Operations:
- Bob Smith
- Director, Ticket Operations:
- Walter Nash
- Director, Stadium Club & Transportation:
- Robert J. Schenz
- Director, Dodger Network:
- David Van de Walker
- Director, Scouting:
- Ben Wade
- Director, Publicity:
- Steve Brener
- Director, Community Relations:
- Don Newcombe
- Director, Group Sales:
- Barry Stockhamer
- Director, Speakers Bureau:
- Bill Shumard
- Executive Pilot, Dodger 720-B Fan Jet:
- Captain Lewis Carlisle
- Administrative Assistant:
- Ike Ikuhara
- Traveling Secretary:
- Lee Scott
- Auditor:
- Michael Strange
- Manager:
- Tom Lasorda
- Club Physicians:
- Dr. Frank Jobe, Dr. Robert Woods
- Scouts:
- Rafael Avila, Boyd Bartley, Bill Brenzel, Jim Garland, Dick Hager, Dennis Haren, Gail Henley, Goldie Holt, Tony John, Dale Jones, John Keenan, Marty Keough, Ron King, Ed Liberatore, Dick McLaughlin, Dale McReynolds, Tommy Mixon, Lew Morton, Greg Mulleavy, John O'Neil, Regie Otero, Bill Pleis, Ed Roebuck, Rudy Rufer, Jerry Stephenson, Corito Varona, Guy Wellman, Bert Wells