Copyright © Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc.

The 1974 Dodgers

Team History: 1951-1997
1974 Record:
102-60, 1st place in N.L. Western Division
Postseason:
Won the N.L. Pennant, 3-1, over the Pittsburgh Pirates; Lost to the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, in the World Series
Manager:
Walter Alston
All-Stars:
Ron Cey, 3B; Steve Garvey, 1B; Mike Marshall, P; Andy Messersmith, P; Jimmy Wynn, OF
Home Attendance:
2,632,474

Season Recap:

1974 Dodgers Yearbook

1974 Dodgers Yearbook

Copyright © Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc.

A glorious year for the Dodgers finished with a disappointing and sudden five-game loss to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series, but even that could not mar the 102 victory-season registered by the Dodgers as they made their first return to postseason play since 1966. Although it was a long time coming, it was definitely worth the wait as the Dodgers built a 10 1/2-game lead on July 10 and then had to hold on as the Cincinnati Reds, playing at Dodger Stadium, closed the gap to 1 1/2 games on September 14. It brought back painful memories of the previous season when the Dodgers slipped behind the Reds to finish second. However, the next day the Dodgers got a top-notch pitching performance by Don Sutton and a grand slam home run by Jimmy Wynn to push the Reds back, 7-1. That was Sutton’s fifth straight win on his way to nine in a row and the Dodgers stretched the lead out. In 1974, it was to be a successful run as the Dodgers took over first place on April 14 and were never headed. The Dodgers beat Pittsburgh, three games to one, in their first participation in a National League Championship Series. Sutton clinched the N.L. Pennant for the Dodgers with a stunning 12-1 victory at Dodger Stadium. Sutton managed the only victory in the World Series in Game 2 (3-2), but, after splitting the initial two games at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers lost three straight games in Oakland to end the season. Four of the five games in the Series were 3-2 scores. Many players contributed to the success of the season, including first baseman Steve Garvey, who became the first write-in selection by the fans for the All-Star Game and ended up as not only the Game’s MVP but the N.L. MVP with his .312 average, 21 home runs and team-high 111 RBI; bullpen ace Mike Marshall, who appeared in a record 106 games (finished 83) and during one stretch pitched in a record 13 successive games, won 15 games and amassed 21 saves to win the N.L. Cy Young Award; and center fielder Jimmy Wynn, who joined the club from Houston, and belted a then L.A.-record 32 home runs while driving in 108 runs. Wynn won Comeback Player of the Year honors.

1974 World Series Dodgers - press pin

1974 World Series Dodgers - press pin

Sutton finished with a 19-9 record, while teammate Andy Messersmith became a 20-game winner (tied for the N.L. lead with Phil Niekro of Atlanta) with a 2.56 ERA. Other players contributed to the exciting season, as Ron Cey hit 18 home runs and drove in 98 runs, while playing consistent defense at third base; Davey Lopes stole 59 bases, including five in one game on August 24 to tie a N.L. record in a 3-0 win over St. Louis; and Bill Russell set a record for Dodger shortstops with 65 RBI. In one of baseball’s most memorable moments, Henry Aaron hit his 715th home run off Dodger left-hander Al Downing on April 8, 1974 in Atlanta, to break Babe Ruth’s all-time HR record. In the June Free Agent Draft, the Dodgers selected pitcher Rick Sutcliffe, who went on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year in 1979. Prior to the 1975 season longtime Dodger Vice President, Public Relations and Promotions Arthur E. “Red” Patterson announced his departure to become President of the California Angels.

Below are the Dodger Front Office department heads and personnel, plus scouts who worked for Walter O’Malley.

Board of Directors
Walter O’Malley, Chairman of the Board; Peter O’Malley, President; Sylvan Oestreicher, Treasurer; Stephen W. Mulvey, Harry M. Bardt, H. C. McClellan, Robert L. Gordon.
President:
Peter O’Malley
Vice President, Public Relations & Promotions:
Arthur E. Patterson
Vice President, Player Personnel & Scouting:
Al Campanis
Vice President, Minor League Operations:
William P. Schweppe
Vice President, Marketing:
Merritt Willey
Secretary:
Robert F. Welch
Controller & Assistant Treasurer:
Ken Hasemann
Director of Advertising, Novelties & Souvenirs:
Danny Goodman
Director, Dodgertown (PGA Pro. Dodgertown Golf Club):
Dick Bird
Director, Stadium Operations:
Bob Smith
Director, Ticket Operations:
Walter Nash
Director, Stadium Club & Transportation:
Robert J. Schenz
Director, Publicity:
Fred Claire
Director, Dodger Network:
David Van de Walker
Director, Scouting:
Ben Wade
Director, Community Relations:
Don Newcombe
Director, Speakers Bureau:
Tuck Stainback
Executive Pilot, Dodger 720-B Fan Jet:
Captain Lewis Carlisle
Administrative Assistant:
Ike Ikuhara
Traveling Secretary:
Lee Scott
Auditor:
Michael Strange
Manager:
Walter Alston
Club Physicians:
Dr. Frank Jobe, Dr. Robert Woods
Scouts:
Rafael Avila, Boyd Bartley, Bill Brenzel, Jerry Cunningham, Gail Henley, Goldie Holt, Tony John, Dale Jones, John Keenan, Ed Liberatore, Dick McLaughlin, Lew Morton, Greg Mulleavy, Mel Nelson, George Noga, Lamar North, Reggie Otero, Rudy Rufer, Jerry Stephenson, Gus Triandos, Guy Wellman, Bert Wells