The 1995 Dodgers
- 1995 Record:
- 78-66, 1st place in N.L. Western Division
- Postseason:
- Lost in N.L. Division Series to the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0
- Manager:
- Tommy Lasorda
- All-Stars:
- Raul Mondesi, OF; Hideo Nomo, P; Jose Offerman, SS: Mike Piazza, C; Todd Worrell; P
- Home Attendance:
- 2,766,251
Season Recap:
The 1995 Dodgers won the National League Western Division. In the strike-shortened season of 1994, the Dodgers were in first place in the division when play ceased. The 1995 Dodgers compiled a 78-66 record in a season reduced by 18 games due to the strike that lingered into spring. In the N.L. Division Series, the Dodgers lost three straight games to the N.L. Central Division-winning Cincinnati Reds. The entire baseball season received a huge uplift when the Dodgers signed Hideo Nomo to a contract on February 13. The first Japan-born player to participate in Major League Baseball in 30 years donned a Dodger uniform, as right-handed pitcher Nomo made his debut on May 2, 1995 in San Francisco (5 innings, 0 runs, 7 strikeouts, 1 hit). Nomo played for the Nippon Professional Baseball’s Kintetsu Buffaloes for five seasons prior to signing as a free agent with the Dodgers. Dodger President Peter O’Malley had hoped that the day would come when the Dodgers could sign a top player from Japan and Nomo fit that bill perfectly. In fact, as the baseball world was sluggishly trying to overcome a prolonged strike from August 12, 1994 into a delayed opening of the 1995 regular season, Nomo’s presence was definitely a game-changer. As his success on the mound gained momentum, Dodger fans flocked to see him pitch at Dodger Stadium and on the road. In Japan, giant television screens were placed on buildings and major street corners in 13 major cities to show every Nomo-pitched game live, no matter what time the game started. Nomo’s first victory was an eight-inning gem on June 2 against the New York Mets, 2-1. He recorded 16 strikeouts, a Dodger rookie record, on June 14 against Pittsburgh in a 3-1 win. After going 6-0 in the month of June, Nomo was selected as the starting pitcher for the 1995 All-Star Game in Texas. There he struck out three in two scoreless innings.“Nomomania” swept baseball and, more importantly, brought renewed interest to the game and fans back to stadiums following the strike. With a 13-6 record, 236 strikeouts and 2.54 ERA in 28 starts, Nomo was named the Dodgers’ fourth consecutive Jackie Robinson N.L. Rookie of the Year Award winner. Many baseball leaders and sportswriters believe the pioneer pitcher “saved” baseball. On May 19, 1995 at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers played their 16,000th game in their history (losing to Chicago, 7-0). All-Star closer Todd Worrell had 32 saves and 4 wins, while pitchers Ramon Martinez (17-7), Nomo (13-6) and Ismael Valdez (13-11) all won in double figures. First baseman Eric Karros batted .298 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI, while catcher Mike Piazza hit .346 with 32 home runs and 93 RBI to pace the offense. All-Star outfielder Raul Mondesi contributed 26 home runs and 88 RBI while batting .285 and was a winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. On August 10, the Dodgers lost by “forfeit” to the St. Louis Cardinals, after the umpires called the game in the bottom of the ninth inning when some fans threw promotional Dodger baseballs onto the playing field at Dodger Stadium. It was the first Dodger forfeit since July 18, 1916.
Below are the Dodger Front Office department heads and personnel who worked for Peter O’Malley.
- Board of Directors
- Peter O’Malley, Chairman; Harry M. Bardt; Roland Seidler, Jr.; Terry O’Malley Seidler
- President:
- Peter O’Malley
- Vice President, Treasurer:
- Roland Seidler, Jr.
- Corporate Secretary:
- Terry O’Malley Seidler
- Executive Vice President:
- Fred Claire
- Vice President, Campo Las Palmas:
- Ralph Avila
- Vice President, Communications:
- Tommy Hawkins
- Vice President, Finance:
- Bob Graziano
- Vice President, Marketing:
- Barry Stockhamer
- Assistant Secretary and General Counsel:
- Sam Fernandez
- Director, Accounting and Finance:
- Bill Foltz
- Director, Advertising and Special Events:
- Paul Kalil
- Director, Broadcasting and Publications:
- Brent Shyer
- Director, Community Affairs:
- Monique Brandon
- Director, Community Relations:
- Don Newcombe
- Director, Human Resources and Administration:
- Irene Tanji
- Director, Management Information Systems:
- Mike Mularky
- Director, Minor League Operations:
- Charlie Blaney
- Director, Publicity:
- Jay Lucas
- Assistant Director, Publicity:
- Derrick Hall
- Director, Scouting:
- Terry Reynolds
- Director, Stadium Operations:
- Doug Duennes
- Director, Ticket Marketing:
- Allan Erselius
- Director, Ticket Operations:
- Debra Kay Duncan
- Managing Director, Dodgertown:
- Craig Callan
- Traveling Secretary:
- Billy DeLury
- Team Doctors:
- Dr. Frank W. Jobe; Dr. Michael F. Mellman