Former outfielder Reggie Smith was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball on Saturday in a pregame ceremony. The observance included the three other members of the first quartet of teammates in major league history to each hit 30 or more home runs in a single season.
A switch-hitter who went to Centennial High in Compton, Smith spent six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers.
Smith homered 32 times in 1977. That same year, Steve Garvey finished with 33 home runs, and Dusty Baker and Ron Cey with 30 each. The team went on to reach the World Series, where it was beaten in six games by the New York Yankees.
The Legends of Dodger Baseball was established in 2019 to honor former players who don’t have their numbers retired because they’re not in the Hall of Fame. Smith was presented with a commemorative jacket by the late Tommy Lasorda’s daughter, Laura Lasorda.
“It’s a special meaning to me because I got to wear the same uniform as my boyhood hero,” the 81-year-old Smith said.
In his speech, Smith asked the Dodgers to similarly honor Bill Russell and Dave Lopes, who passed away last year.
Other speakers included Baker and Rick Monday, who played alongside Smith on the Dodgers from 1977-81.
Monday noted that he and Smith played against each other in football, with Monday playing for Santa Monica High and Smith for Centennial.
“I will not relive the scores of those games because I don’t want Reggie to stand up and celebrate again,” Monday joked.
Former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley was part of the ceremony, as were current manager Dave Roberts, and former players Orel Hershier, Manny Mota, Steve Yeager, Kenny Landreaux, Jerry Reuss, Charlie Hough, Derrel Thomas, Jerry Royster and Russell.