Reggie Smith is finally getting his long-overdue moment in the spotlight, set to be inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball this Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. After nearly a century and a half as a franchise that started way back in 1884, it is wild to think about how long it has taken for a talent like Smith to get this kind of recognition.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Smith Was an Absolute Force
Seriously, this guy put up insane numbers during his time in blue. Among every hitter with at least 1,500 plate appearances for the Dodgers, Smith ranks seventh in OPS with a scorching .915. He’s also seventh in slugging percentage at .528 and sits fifth in adjusted OPS+ with a monstrous 152. These aren’t just good numbers, these are elite, franchise-legend numbers! He was already a four-time All-Star when the Dodgers snatched him up from the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1976, giving up Joe Ferguson, Bob Detherage, and Freddie Tisdale in the deal. That trade was part of a crazy 14-month stretch where the Dodgers also brought in Dusty Baker and Rick Monday, forming a ridiculous outfield that helped snap a decade-long World Series drought in their first two seasons together. Those teams were absolutely loaded, but you know who was truly carrying the load? Smith.
The Reggie Effect: Carrying World Series Teams
It wasn’t just the stats, it was the impact. Don Sutton, the All-Star pitcher and future Hall of Famer, wasn’t pulling any punches when he told Thomas Boswell in the Washington Post back in 1978, “All you hear about on our team is Steve Garvey, the All-American boy. Well, the best player on the team the last two years , and we all know it , is Reggie Smith. As Reggie goes, so goes us.” Talk about a mic drop! Sutton saw what everyone else did: Smith was the engine. In 1977 and 1978, Smith was on another planet. He hit a combined .302/.406/.568, mashed 54 doubles, and crushed 61 home runs, leading the majors with a 165 wRC+. The dude finished fourth in National League MVP voting both seasons! He played six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers, from 1976-81, and it was extra special for him as a local kid who grew up in Compton, idolizing Jackie Robinson. “I was humbled, almost to the point of being a little emotional, to receive that kind of recognition,” Smith told David Vassegh on AM 570 in February. He even played in four World Series, hitting six homers in 21 Fall Classic games, and ended his career with 314 dingers, ninth most by any switch-hitter in MLB history.
This Saturday isn’t just another game day at Dodger Stadium. It’s a day when a bona fide legend, Reggie Smith, finally gets the recognition he’s earned for decades. Talk about a special moment to look forward to, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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