Reggie Smith was recently inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, a program created to celebrate former players whose numbers have not been retired despite deserving broader recognition.
The ceremony spotlighted Smith’s 1977 season, in which he hit 32 home runs and joined Dusty Baker, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey as the first quartet in MLB history to each reach the 30‑home‑run mark in a single year.
A Tribute Across Generations
Smith, who grew up in Compton and spent six of his 17 major‑league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, accepted a commemorative jacket from Laura Lasorda, daughter of the late Tommy Lasorda, during the event.
In his speech, Smith reflected on the pride of wearing the same uniform as his boyhood hero and took the opportunity to request that the franchise honor the memory of Bill Russell and Dave Lopes, both of whom passed away in 2022.
Former teammates Dusty Baker and Rick Monday took the stage, sharing recollections of the 1977‑81 era and light‑heartedly noting they would not revisit past scores to spare Smith another celebration.
Current manager Dave Roberts, former owner Peter O’Malley, and a group of ex‑players — including Orel Hershiser, Manny Mota and Jerry Reuss — were also present, underscoring the lasting bonds within the organization.
The induction coincided with the Dodgers’ 1977 World Series run, a six‑game loss to the New York Yankees that remains a defining chapter in the franchise’s history.