Richard J. Shmelter - The Los Angeles Dodgers Encyclopedia

Also by RICHARD J. SHMELTER AND FROM MCFARLAND

The USC Trojans Football Encyclopedia (2014)

The Los Angeles Lakers Encyclopedia (2013)

The Raiders Encyclopedia: All Players, Coaches, Games and More through 2009-2010 (2011)

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Jefferson, North Carolina

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING DATA ARE AVAILABLE

BRITISH LIBRARY CATALOGUING DATA ARE AVAILABLE

e-ISBN: 978-1-4766-2826-4

2017 Richard J. Shmelter. All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Front cover: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela by Jerry Coli (Dreamstime)

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com

In loving memory of my dear mom, Arlene Shmelter,
who passed away near the completion of this project.
She never stopped encouraging me in whatever I attempted.
The light of Heaven will be a bit more radiant thanks
to this incredible ladys presence.

Also, to my dear little angel, who I know was there
to take grandmas hand and guide her to Heaven.
Daddy loves you, angel.

And finally, to my late father, Joseph Shmelter, Jr.,
who no doubt clasped my moms other hand en route
to one tremendous reunion in Heaven.

What can be said to someone who is always there to lend a helping and loving hand except thank you? However, those mere words will never come close to expressing my love, respect, and appreciation to my wife, Helen (Molly). Throughout this project, as with all those before and hopefully the many more to come, my dear wife was there to help me in every way possible to get this manuscript ready for publication. You are the best, my dear, and thank you not only for your help in my writing, but in everything you do day in and day out.

To my late parents, Joseph and Arlene, who always encouraged me to pursue my realistic dreams. These incredible individuals were always there to help, listen, and offer advice. It was an honor to be the product of their union, and it is one I will always hold in my heart.

Friends are an important part of everyones life. Just like a spouse or parents, they are there to help guide and encourage you. These qualities are truly what inspired me, not only throughout this project, but on every idea that I present. In this regard, Jim and Cindy Hampshire are always there to help in every capacity, whether by proofreading or offering key information used to enhance a manuscript. This couples input is truly appreciated and invaluable. Also my sincere gratitude goes out to the Dynamic Duo, Matt Victor and Bruce Hallis. Matt is a long-suffering Cleveland sports fan, but even though we are on opposite sides regarding sports alliances, he never stops helping me to work smarter, not harder. His insight into the world of sports has helped me mold and shape previous books on football and basketball, and I cannot thank you enough, my friend. Bruce is always there to keep me pumped up about my writing plans, and every time we discuss them, his words leave me inspired and make me feel that there is nothing I cannot achieve. And remember, Bruce, dinner at Gladstones in Malibu for you and your movie star Jeneane will be my treat. Also to my Malibu Posse, who are always there for me and make me proud to say, I LOVE L.A.!!!

I also had the pleasure to meet one of the all-time greatest to ever wear Dodger blue, the legendary Steve Garvey. When I was growing up, he was my favorite Dodger, and when I had the chance to meet him, he made the experience one I will never forget.

To all the authors who wrote about the Dodgers, I am indebted to your skills, and for giving me so many research tools to assist me in this project. Finally, to the individuals at baseballreference.com for helping to make research into Americas pastime come alive in such an unbelievable fashion.

There are some professional sports organizations in American popular culture that conjure up a passion more prominent than found in others. In the annals of Americas pastime, the Los Angeles Dodgers rise to the summit in that category. With an almost romantic aura surrounding the team, the roll call of honor that took the field throughout the decades since making the City of Angels their home has been successful on a consistent basis. Names like Koufax, Drysdale and Sutton played either their entire careers, or the majority, in Los Angeles, and now are immortalized for those years with enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Whether a Hall of Famer or just a journeyman player passing through, all those who donned Dodger blue share one common bond, with that helping to make this organization one of the greatest in sports history. It is that popularity, professionalism, and high success rate on the field that directed me to create this labor of love dedicated to these Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite an incredible run of success in Los Angeles that includes some of the greatest moments in baseball history, pennants, and World Series victories, the story of this organization began clear across the United States in Brooklyn, New York. For it was there that the Dodgers honed and carved out a storied existence filled with cheers, tears, and even jeers.

After the reader embraces the teams three-quarters of a century as the Brooklyn Dodgers, it is then on to the City of Angels and continued decades of brilliance, also with an even amount of cheers, tears and jeers. Section One produces the bulk of this encyclopedia and covers each year of the Dodgers time in Los Angeles in comprehensive fashion. It will allow for memories of those fortunate enough to remember, or serve as a learning and research tool for others. After all the seasons have been laid out at your disposal, Section Two honors those influential players that helped make the greatness of the Dodgers carry on through the decades. Section Three then gives every player from 1958 through 2016 their just time in the spotlight with a complete all-time roster.

Section Four delves into the men who served as managers during the Los Angeles years, and then Section Five discusses the executives who helped build the teams that regularly challenged for a championship. Every sports organization has proud traditions, and Section Six gives the reader a chance to absorb all those affiliated with the Dodgers. Section Seven contains season and career records. It is there that this volume ends, but hopefully, it is one that will be embraced for many years to come, and will constantly serve as a reference guide whenever discussions arise pertaining to this incredible franchises long and honored time in Los Angeles.

Thank you for deciding to take the time to embrace this book. Its time to PLAY BALL!!!

What if? Those two small words ask a simple question that can be applied to any topic, but the responses, some extremely powerful, are all hypotheses nonetheless.

In the case of the Dodgers, what if the Dutch never set foot on the area later to be the borough of Brooklyn, New York? Would there have been a team called the Dodgers if they did not? Luckily for fans of the team, that never happened. For the Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in the area in the 17th century, and thanks to those brave trailblazers, the Dodgers were able to carve out one of the greatest legacies in the history of athletic competition.