Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Reggie Smith was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball on Saturday before the team's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Smith, a switch-hitter who played six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers, was honored in a pregame ceremony.
The induction recognized Smith and three other teammates from the 1977 Dodgers, who became the first quartet of teammates in major league history to each hit 30 or more home runs in a single season. In 1977, Smith homered 32 times, Steve Garvey hit 33, and Dusty Baker and Ron Cey each had 30. That team reached the World Series, where they were defeated in six games by the New York Yankees.
The Legends of Dodger Baseball initiative was established in 2019 to honor former players who are not in the Hall of Fame and therefore do not have their numbers retired. Smith, 81, received a commemorative jacket from Laura Lasorda, daughter of the late Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.
Smith, who attended Centennial High in Compton, stated, “It’s a special meaning to me because I got to wear the same uniform as my boyhood hero.”
During his speech, Smith also requested that the Dodgers honor former teammates Bill Russell and Dave Lopes, who passed away last year. Other speakers at the ceremony included former teammates Dusty Baker and Rick Monday, who played with Smith from 1977 to 1981. Monday shared a lighthearted anecdote about playing against Smith in high school football, with Monday representing Santa Monica High and Smith Centennial High.
The ceremony was attended by former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, current manager Dave Roberts, and former players Orel Hershiser, Manny Mota, Steve Yeager, Kenny Landreaux, Jerry Reuss, Charlie Hough, Derrel Thomas, Jerry Royster, and Russell.