Reggie Smith Being Inducted Into Legends Of Dodger Baseball

""I tell people I was a Dodger before I actually joined the team," Smith said. "Being a young, African American player, I had such respect for Jackie Robinson while growing up. When the Dodgers came to Los Angeles, we had the opportunity to see them play. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Jackie play because he had retired. He was my boyhood hero, so when I became a Dodger, it was very special.""

"A 17-year Major Leaguer who enjoyed the best chapter of his career with L.A. between 1976 and 1981, Smith becomes the 10th member of the Legends of Dodger Baseball, joining Don Newcombe (2019), Steve Garvey (2019), Fernando Valenzuela (2019), Maury Wills (2022), Kirk Gibson (2022), Manny Mota (2023), Orel Hershiser (2023), Dusty Baker (2024) and Ron Cey (2025). Smith, a graduate of Centennial High School in Compton, made his Major League debut at age 21 with the 1966 Boston Red Sox."

"He enjoyed his best season in 1977 when he hit a career-high 32 home runs and was part of MLB's first 30-homer quartet, along with teammates Steve Garvey (33), Ron Cey (30) and Dusty Baker (30). Smith also led the National League in on-base percentage (.427). Smith was an All-Star in 1977 and 1978 and in each season finished fourth in the NL Most Valuable Player balloting. Over his MLB career, Smith was a seven-time All-Star and started the 1980 Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium."

Reggie Smith will be inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball on August 15 at Dodger Stadium prior to the Dodgers' game against the Milwaukee Brewers. A 17-year Major Leaguer, Smith enjoyed his best years with Los Angeles from 1976–1981 and becomes the tenth member of the Legends of Dodger Baseball. Smith graduated from Centennial High in Compton and debuted at age 21 with the 1966 Boston Red Sox; the Dodgers acquired him in a June 15, 1976 trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. Smith hit a career-high 32 home runs in 1977, led the National League in on-base percentage, earned multiple All-Star selections and was part of the 1981 World Series championship team.

Read at Dodger Blue