More Dodger histronics
While we're trying to get our head around this idea that one man will be employed by the Dodgers for 60 years -- that's Vin Scully, who agreed this weekend to stay on through 2009 (see this link), God help him -- we dove into some other L.A. franchise history by filling out our online ballots (linked here) to help determine the Top 10 moments in L.A. history, as well as determine the all-time L.A. team.
Polling ends, by the way, tonight. So hurry it up.
Here's how we looked at it:
As for our 10 (not in any particular order) top moments in L.A. Dodger history (by order of year):
1959: Roy Campanella Night at the Coliseum
1965: Sandy Koufax's perfect game
1968: Don Drysdale's six consecutive shutouts
1978: Bob Welch strikes out Reggie Jackson to save Game 2 of the World Series
1981: Rick Monday's game-winning homer to clinch the NLCS
1983: R.J. Reynolds' squeeze bunt on Sept. 11 pennant chase game against Atlanta to cap a four-run ninth-inning rally (even Scully would tell you this is on his personal favorite list)
1988: Orel Hershiser's consecutive scoreless innings streak
1988: Kirk Gibson's Game 1 World Series homer
2004: Steve Finley's grand slam clinches the NL West for the Dodgers with a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the ninth.
2006: Four consecutive homers in the bottom of the ninth to tie San Diego, then Nomar Garciaparra's homer in the 10th to win it.
The runner-ups (just missing the cut):
1958: The first game at the L.A. Coliseum
1959: Koufax strikes out 18
1962: Maury Wills breaks the all-time stolen base record with 104
1963: Dodgers sweep Yankees in World Series
1973: Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey start for the first time in the infield, and last 8 1/2 seaons (it's not really a memorable moment by definition, is it?)
1977: Four players hit 30 home runs, with Baker hitting his last on the final game of the season
1978: Bill Russell's game-winning single in the 10th inning to beat Philadelphia for the NL pennant
1980: Dodgers win three games in a row against Houston to force a one-game playoff for the NL West title
1993: Piazza's two homers beat San Francisco on the last day of the season to knock the Giants out of the NL West title
2002: Shawn Green hits four homers in one game at Milwaukee
As for the all-time Los Angeles Dodgers top player per position (considering we're in our late-ish 40s, and were most impressionable during the '60s and '70s):
1B: Steve Garvey (a somewhaty easy call over all-time L.A. HR leader Eric Karros, Wes Parker, Ron Fairly and Eddie Murray ... those are the only choices. Otherwise, we'd have considered Greg Brock and even James Loney)
2B: Davey Lopes (gets the edge over Steve Sax and Jim Lefebvre, farther ahead of Jim Gilliam, Jeff Kent and Charlie Neal).
SS: Maury Wills (an MVP, over Bill Russell. Other choices, Alfredo Griffin and Caesar Izturis, were there to merely pad the ballot. Although Pee Wee Reese did play one year in L.A.)
3B: Ron Cey (you thought it'd be Pedro Guerrero, Gilliam or Adrian Beltre?)
C: Mike Piazza (not so clear cut next to Steve Yeager or Mike Scioscia, with Johnny Roseboro and Paul LoDuca also in the mix. No, Gary Carter wasn't there as a choice).
OF (pick three): Willie Davis, Tommy Davis and Dusty Baker. (For their longevity and performance. Shawn Green almost got in there. Kirk Gibson was an MVP, but seems like he was a rental player. Raul Mondesi got consideration, as did Reggie Smith, Rick Monday and Bill Buckner. Lou Johnson and Duke Snider would seem to be naturals for some, but not here. Wally Moon, Jimmy Wynn, Mike Marshall, and Gary Sheffield were the other choices. No Manny Ramirez?)
Starting pitcher: Don Drysdale (could have just as easily been Sandy Koufax or Fernando Valenzuela. Even Orel Hershiser. The second tier: Don Sutton -- yes, a Hall of Famer -- Ramon Martinez and Johnny Podres. Other choices: Claude Osteen, Hideo Nomo, Tommy John and Burt Hooten. But the first four, maybe five, are so far and away more impactful, you can't go wrong with any of them).
Relief pitcher: Mike Marshall (over Eric Gagne, Jim Brewer and Ron Perranowski. They even included Todd Worrell and Jeff Shaw to fill it out).
What about a manager?
No voting on this. Tommy Lasorda and Walter Alston are both Hall of Famers who did things differently. Given that Lasorda is more of what L.A.'s personality is all about, the decision seems much easier. Gotta see what Joe Torre is able to pull out in the next few years. Otherwise, Jim Tracy, Bill Russell, Davey Johnson, Grady Little and Glenn Hoffman aren't even on the radar.
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