RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Bill Russell, the baseball player, is best known for his long-standing association with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Born on October 21, 1948, in Pittsburg, Kansas, Russell grew up to become a reliable shortstop and later transitioned into coaching and management roles within the sport.
Russell's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers
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1977 NLCS G2 - Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Radio Broadcast
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies met for Game 2 of the 1977 National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5. The Dodgers, led by manager Tommy Lasorda in his first season at the helm, had won 98 games to capture the NL West title. The Phillies, under Danny Ozark, claimed their second straight NL East crown with 101 victories. Don Sutton took the mound for Los Angeles, while Jim Lonborg started for Philadelphia. Both teams boasted potent lineups, with the Dodgers featuring Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Reggie Smith, while the Phillies countered with Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, and Garry Maddox.
The game remained tight early on, with Bake McBride's solo home run in the third inning giving Philadelphia a brief 1-0 lead. Los Angeles quickly responded, tying the score in the bottom of the third. The pivotal moment came in the fourth inning when Dusty Baker launched a grand slam off Lonborg, breaking the game open and putting the Dodgers ahead 5-1. Los Angeles added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to extend their lead. Sutton pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits and allowing just one run while striking out four.
The Dodgers' victory gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NLCS. They would go on to win the series in four games, advancing to face the New York Yankees in the World Series. Though Los Angeles fell short in the Fall Classic, losing in six games, the 1977 season marked the beginning of a successful run for the Dodgers. They would return to the World Series in both 1978 and 1981, with the latter resulting in a championship.
In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los...
1977 World Series G6 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast / In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees, managed by Billy Martin, were on the verge of capturing their 21st World Series title, with Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson leading the offensive charge. Meanwhile, Tommy Lasorda's Dodgers sought to extend the series and force a Game 7. Starting for the Yankees was Mike Torrez, while the Dodgers sent Burt Hooton to the mound. The Dodgers, who had a potent lineup featuring Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, needed their offense to step up after losing momentum in the previous games.
The Dodgers struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning on a triple by Steve Garvey, but the Yankees answered quickly. In the second inning, Chris Chambliss hit a two-run homer to tie the game. By the fourth inning, Reggie Jackson launched the first of three home runs, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. Jackson followed up with two more home runs in the fifth and eighth innings, securing his place in history with one of the most iconic World Series performances. Mike Torrez held his ground, despite giving up a solo home run to Reggie Smith in the third inning. The Yankees' defense, led by Chambliss and Bucky Dent, turned key double plays to keep the Dodgers at bay.
With an 8-4 victory, the Yankees clinched the 1977 World Series, their first championship since 1962. Reggie Jackson, earning the nickname "Mr. October," was named World Series MVP for his three-homer performance in Game 6.
#NewYorkYankees #LosAngelesDodgers #ReggieJackson #ChrisChambliss #ThurmanMunson #MikeTorrez #SteveGarvey #BurtHooton #WorldSeries1977 #MrOctober
Game 4 of the 1977 National League Championship Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers face...
1977 NLCS G4 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio Broadcast / Game 4 of the 1977 National League Championship Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. The Phillies were trailing in the series, making this a crucial game to stay alive. Los Angeles sent veteran left-hander Tommy John to the mound, while Philadelphia countered with their ace, Steve Carlton. The Dodgers were in fine form, led by players like Ron Cey and Steve Garvey, and were coming off a strong regular season in which they finished atop the NL West. The Phillies, anchored by Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski, had won the NL East, but were under pressure after falling behind in the series. Both teams were loaded with talent, but the Dodgers had momentum on their side.
The game began with a two-run homer from Dusty Baker in the second inning, which gave the Dodgers an early lead. Philadelphia responded in the fourth when Garry Maddox drove in Greg Luzinski to cut the deficit to one. However, Los Angeles extended their lead in the fifth inning, thanks to a combination of a wild pitch and a single by Bill Russell that brought in two more runs. Tommy John kept the Phillies in check throughout the game, scattering seven hits and allowing only one run, while Steve Carlton struggled and was pulled after the fifth inning. The Dodgers' bullpen, featuring Mike Garman and others, helped close out the game as the Phillies failed to mount a comeback.
#LosAngelesDodgers #PhiladelphiaPhillies #TommyJohn #SteveCarlton #DustyBaker #RonCey #GarryMaddox #SteveGarvey #NLCS1977 #VeteransStadium
On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3...
1977 NLCS G3 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio / On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Veterans Stadium. The Dodgers, managed by Tommy Lasorda, were fighting for a return to the World Series after a strong regular season where players like Steve Garvey and Ron Cey made significant contributions. Starting pitcher Burt Hooton took the mound for Los Angeles, looking to rebound after a rough Game 1 outing. The Phillies, led by manager Danny Ozark, had a strong year of their own, winning the NL East behind stars such as Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski. Pitcher Larry Christenson got the start for Philadelphia as they aimed to take a series lead.
The game saw early scoring from both teams, with the Dodgers jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, aided by a double from Dusty Baker and a single by Steve Yeager. The Phillies quickly responded in their half of the inning, putting up three runs on a combination of walks and key hits, including a sacrifice fly by Larry Christenson. As the game progressed, both teams were kept in check by strong middle relief pitching, with the Dodgers managing to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies appeared to take control, scoring two runs, including an RBI single from Garry Maddox, but the Dodgers weren’t done yet.
In the top of the ninth, Los Angeles rallied with three runs, capitalizing on errors and timely hitting, including a critical double from Manny Mota that tied the game. Davey Lopes then drove in the go-ahead run with a single, and the Dodgers bullpen held off the Phillies in the bottom of the inning to secure a 6-5 victory.
#Dodgers #Phillies #BurtHooton #DustyBaker #MannyMota #LarryChristenson #SteveGarvey #RonCey #MikeSchmidt #GarryMaddox
The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers met for Game 1 of the 1977 National...
1977 NLCS G1 Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers met for Game 1 of the 1977 National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium. Philadelphia, led by ace Steve Carlton, came into the game looking to build on a strong season that saw them win 101 games. Carlton, who was a key figure in the Phillies’ rotation, was tasked with facing veteran left-hander Tommy John of the Dodgers. Los Angeles, fresh off a 98-win season, boasted a powerful lineup, including Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, and Reggie Smith, who had played crucial roles in their success that year. Both teams were aiming to take an early lead in the best-of-five series with a trip to the World Series at stake.
The Phillies struck early in the first inning when Greg Luzinski launched a two-run homer off John, giving them a quick 2-0 lead. Philadelphia added to their advantage in the fifth with a pair of unearned runs, thanks to a couple of errors by Bill Russell. Carlton was effective through six innings, but the Dodgers rallied in the seventh. Ron Cey delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a grand slam, tying the game at 5-5. Despite the momentum shift, the Phillies regained control in the ninth, scoring two runs on singles by McBride and Schmidt, helped by a balk from Elias Sosa.
The Phillies closed out the game with a 7-5 victory, handing Tug McGraw a save. Carlton earned a win, despite the rough seventh inning, and Gene Garber held the Dodgers at bay. The Phillies took a crucial 1-0 lead in the series as they pushed closer to their first World Series appearance since 1950, while the Dodgers, who were favorites to win the NL pennant, found themselves with an uphill battle to reclaim control.
#GregLuzinski #SteveCarlton #PhiladelphiaPhillies #RonCey #LosAngelesDodgers #NLCS #TugMcGraw #TommyJohn #GeneGarber #MLB1977
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On September 2, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals...
Los Angeles Dodgers vs St. Louis Cardinals - Radio Broadcast / On September 2, 1972, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium II. Starting for the Dodgers was Doug Rau, a left-handed pitcher making his Major League debut, while the Cardinals sent out Durham to the mound. The 1972 season was an interesting one for both teams. The Dodgers were in the midst of a rebuilding phase, having traded away some of their established stars in the previous year. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were coming off a successful 1971 campaign and were looking to repeat their success. The league was also experiencing a significant story in 1972, as it was the year of the first players' strike in Major League Baseball history, which had led to the cancellation of some games earlier in the season.
The game started off quietly, with both teams failing to score in the first inning. However, the Dodgers broke the deadlock in the second inning, scoring four runs. This scoring spree was initiated by a walk to Crawford and a single by Valentine. A wild pitch by Durham moved the runners to second and third, followed by an intentional walk to Russell. This set the stage for Yeager, who tripled to left, clearing the bases. Rau, in his debut game, followed suit with a triple of his own, scoring Yeager and putting the Dodgers up 4-0. The Cardinals' pitching struggled to contain the Dodgers' offense, with Durham being replaced by Palmer partway through the second inning.
The Cardinals' offense, on the other hand, was held in check by Rau. The Cardinals managed only three hits and one run, which came in the seventh inning when Jutze doubled and was driven in by Carbo. The Dodgers scored one more run in the sixth inning, with Yeager scoring on a single by Lacy. The Dodgers' pitching was the star of the game, with Rau going the distance, giving up only one run on three hits in his Major League debut.
The Dodgers' 5-1 victory over the Cardinals was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the team. Despite their struggles, the Dodgers would go on to finish the season in second place in the National League West, while the Cardinals would finish fourth in the National League East. The 1972 season was also notable for the performance of Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the Cy Young Award after an outstanding season in which he won 27 games for a team that won only 59 games in total. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics would go on to win the World Series, defeating the Cincinnati Reds in seven games.
On April 10, 1971, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Diego Padres at Dodger...
1971 San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Radio Broadcast / On April 10, 1971, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in a game that showcased the early season form of both teams. The Dodgers, led by starting pitcher Claude Osteen, entered the game with a solid lineup and a strong start to their campaign. The Padres, still trying to find their rhythm early in the season, looked to challenge the Dodgers with starter Dave Roberts. The matchup was set against the backdrop of a new baseball season where both teams aimed to establish a winning momentum, with the Dodgers particularly keen to capitalize on their home advantage and deep roster.
The game saw the Dodgers taking control from the early innings, maintaining a steady offensive pressure that resulted in multiple scoring innings. Key performances came from Bill Sudakis, who hit two home runs, and Willie Davis, who contributed with pivotal hits and runs batted in that helped extend the Dodgers' lead. The Padres struggled to respond, managing only a few hits off Osteen, who pitched a complete game. The Dodgers' offense was consistent, combining for a total of 13 hits, which, along with strategic baserunning and several Padres errors, led to a substantial lead by the end of the eighth inning.
The final score was 9-2 in favor of the Dodgers, reflecting their dominant performance throughout the game. This victory was part of a positive start to the Dodgers' season, helping to set the tone for their aspirations in the pennant race. Meanwhile, the Padres faced the ongoing challenge of building team chemistry and finding effective strategies against stronger opponents. Overall, the game underscored the potential of the Dodgers' lineup and the effectiveness of their pitching, which would be crucial in their quest for a successful season.