The 1996 Dodgers

For the second consecutive season, the Dodgers participated in postseason play, this time as the National League Wild Card representative. With a 90-72 record, the Dodgers finished 1 game behind the San Diego Padres in the N.L. Western Division and played the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series. The Braves swept the Dodgers in three games. The big news of the season was Tommy Lasorda’s retirement on July 29 due to health concerns. He was named Dodger Vice President by Dodger President Peter O’Malley. Lasorda completed his Hall of Fame managerial career with 3,050 games and 1,599 victories in 20 seasons at the helm (1977-1996). Baseball’s great ambassador won two World Championships (1981 and 1988), four N.L. Pennants (1977, 1978, 1981, and 1988) and eight N.L. Western Division titles. He was the fourth manager in history to guide the same team for 20 seasons. Former Dodger shortstop Bill Russell, who played 2,181 games for the Dodgers, was named the new manager and led the team to a 35-21 record after officially taking the reins. The Dodger pitching staff had the major league best ERA at 3.46. The all-right-handed rotation was known as the “International House of Pitchers” with representatives from Japan (Hideo Nomo), Mexico (Ismael Valdez), South Korea (Chan Ho Park), Dominican Republic (Ramon Martinez and Pedro Astacio), and the United States (Tom Candiotti). Nomo (16-11), Martinez (15-6) and Valdez (15-7) all won in double figures, while All-Star closer Todd Worrell bolstered the bullpen with 44 saves and 4 wins. On September 17, Nomo pitched a 9-0 no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in the least likely of all ballparks–Coors Field, Denver. It remains the only no-hitter ever thrown in that ballpark. A two hour rain delay couldn’t prevent Nomo from pitching out of a stretch and throwing a gem with 8 strikeouts. The game was televised live to Japan. It was the Dodgers’ 20th no-hitter and 7th in Los Angeles. All-Star catcher Mike Piazza hit .336 with 36 home runs and 105 RBI. Piazza’s 36 homers set a L.A. single season record. He was named MVP of the All-Star Game after hitting a home run and a double. Eric Karros batted .260 with 34 homers and 111 RBI and he became the first Dodger first baseman to collect 30 or more homers and 100 or more RBI in two consecutive seasons since Hall of Famer Gil Hodges did it in 1953-1954. The Dodgers earned their fifth consecutive Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year as outfielder Todd Hollandsworth received that honor. Hollandsworth hit .291 with 12 home runs, 59 RBI and 21 stolen bases. Delino DeShields had 48 stolen bases to lead the club. Outfielder Billy Ashley led the team in pinch hits going 10-for-29 with 5 homers and 12 RBI. On June 15, the Dodgers turned a triple play for the first time in L.A. history. It came against Atlanta on the road in the first inning. Outfielder Brett Butler had a challenging season when he went on the DL on May 2 with a tonsillectomy, but four days later a cancerous tumor was found. He underwent surgery on May 21 and had six weeks of radiation treatments. Courageous Butler played again on September 6. After just five games on the active roster, he was hit on the left hand and was sidelined for the balance of the season.