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.
Opened 59 years ago on April 10, 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of US$23 million. It is the oldest ballpark in MLB west of the Mississippi River, and third-oldest overall, after Fenway Park in Boston (1912) and Wrigley Field in Chicago (1914), and is the world's largest baseball stadium by seat capacity. Often referred to as a "pitcher's ballpark", the stadium has seen 13 no-hitters, two of which were perfect games.
The stadium hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1980—and will host in 2022—as well as games of 10 World Series (1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017 and 2018). It also hosted the semifinals and finals of the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classics, as well as exhibition baseball during the 1984 Summer Olympics. It will also host baseball and softball during the 2028 Summer Olympics. The stadium hosted a soccer tournament on August 3, 2013 featuring four clubs: the hometown team Los Angeles Galaxy, and Europe's Real Madrid, Everton, and Juventus. The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks played a regular season game in 2014 as part of the NHL Stadium Series.
On a regular September evening in 1969, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, with a solid season under their belt, sent Bill Singer to the mound. Singer, a right-hander, was enjoying a strong season, entering the game with an 18-9 win-loss record. The Padres, meanwhile, were in their inaugural season and still finding their footing in the league. They started Al Santorini, a young pitcher with a less impressive record. The 1969 season was notable for the "Miracle Mets" winning the World Series, the introduction of four expansion teams including the Padres, and MLB's decision to split both the American and National Leagues into two divisions.
The game started with the Padres taking an early lead in the second inning. A double from Jose Arcadio Morales and a sacrifice bunt from Chris Cannizzaro led to two runs, one earned and one unearned due to an error by Dodgers' second baseman Ted Sizemore. The Dodgers, however, were not deterred. They slowly chipped away at the lead with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Willie Davis, Wes Parker, and Willie Crawford each contributed with key hits to keep the Dodgers in the game. Bill Singer, after allowing the second-inning runs, settled down and kept the Padres' offense in check.
In the sixth inning, Nate Colbert, the Padres' power-hitting first baseman, hit a solo home run off Singer, adding to the Padres' score. But the Dodgers responded in the bottom of the seventh, capitalizing on a shaky San Diego bullpen. Ross, who had relieved Santorini, gave up two runs, allowing the Dodgers to take the lead. Key hits from Maury Wills and Manny Mota helped the Dodgers secure their advantage.
In the end, the Dodgers emerged victorious with a 5-3 win. Bill Singer earned his 19th win of the season, and Jim Brewer sealed the game with his 20th save. The game was a microcosm of the 1969 season for both teams. The Dodgers, while unable to catch the Miracle Mets, were a strong team with a solid core of players. The Padres, on the other hand, were a young team still finding their place in the league. The 1969 season was also notable for the dominance of pitching in Major League Baseball, culminating in the decision to lower the pitcher's mound from 15 inches to 10 inches for the 1969 season. This game, with its strong pitching performances and key hitting moments, was a fitting representation of that season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies met for Game 2 of the 1977 National...
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.
#DustyBaker #DonSutton #SteveGarvey #MikeSchmidt #BakeMcBride #RonCey #JimLonborg #ReggieSmiith #GregLuzinski #1977NLCS
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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During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances...
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Scully - Radio Broadcast / During the 1971 season, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers had notable performances and competed fiercely for a spot in the playoffs. The Cubs showcased their offensive power and solid pitching, led by players like Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Ernie Banks. They had a strong start to the season and remained in the playoff race throughout July. However, their pitching staff faced challenges at times, impacting their consistency and requiring improvement to maintain their competitive edge.
On the other hand, the Dodgers were renowned for their pitching dominance, with Sandy Koufax leading the way. Their strong bullpen and pitching rotation allowed them to shut down opponents effectively. Throughout July, the Dodgers continued to perform consistently, relying on their pitching staff to secure crucial victories and maintain their position as a formidable force in the National League.
In July, both teams were determined to secure a strong position in their divisions. The Dodgers' pitching staff stood out as their main strength, ensuring they remained a top contender. Conversely, the Cubs relied on their offensive prowess, but they encountered difficulties due to inconsistencies in their pitching performances. Despite the challenges faced by both teams, they remained in contention for a playoff berth, making the 1971 season an exciting and competitive one for fans and players alike.
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.
On October 3, 1962, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off at...
1962 NL Tie-breaker G3 - San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Radio / On October 3, 1962, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off at Dodger Stadium in a critical matchup, closing the National League's regular season. The Giants, led by right-hander Juan Marichal, entered this game needing a win to continue their pursuit of a postseason berth, while the Dodgers, starting left-hander Johnny Podres, were looking to halt the Giants' momentum and secure their spot. The game was emblematic of the fierce rivalry and high stakes that defined the season, as both teams were battling for the National League pennant in one of the most tightly contested races of the decade.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle, with the Giants taking an early lead in the third inning, capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues by the Dodgers. San Francisco held that slim margin until the sixth inning, when Dodgers third baseman Tommy Davis launched a two-run homer to give Los Angeles a brief lead. Maury Wills, always a threat on the bases, added to the Dodgers' edge by stealing multiple bases, including his 104th of the season. However, the Giants orchestrated a dramatic ninth-inning rally, led by Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda, to reclaim control and secure the victory with a four-run burst.
With this win, the Giants forced a tie with the Dodgers, necessitating a tiebreaker playoff to determine the National League champion. The intense pennant race, marked by remarkable performances from players like Wills and Mays, would ultimately see the Giants advance, although they would fall short in the World Series against the New York Yankees. The game remains a key moment in a storied rivalry and a pivotal chapter in the Giants' and Dodgers' long-standing competition.
#giants #dodgers #williemays #maurywills #juanmarichal #johnnypodres #nationalleague #nlpennant #1962
