The Los Angeles Dodgers are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1981 World Series team with a pregame ceremony before the series finale against the Colorado Rockies, which also concludes their homestand.
Mark Bradley, Ron Cey, Mark Cresse, Pepe Frias, Steve Garvey, Pedro Guerrero, Burt Hooton, Ken Landreaux, Candy Maldonado, Rick Monday, Manny Mota, Tom Niedenfuer, Alejandro Pena, Jerry Reuss, Ron Roenicke, Bill Russell, Steve Sax, Derrel Thomas, Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Yeager are among those expected to be on hand for the reunion.
Mota and Yeager were among the former Dodgers on hand throughout the weekend to sign autographs in the center field plaza.
Tickets for Sunday’s game remain available and include options at a special anniversary price of $19.81. Also on Sunday, the team is hosting Viva Los Dodgers prior to first pitch and Kids Run the Bases following the game.
While the 1988 Dodgers are revered for their improbable championship run, the 1981 team has a unique story in its own right. After falling short in 1977 and 1978, the Dodgers broke through in a strike-shortened season.
The 1981 campaign began with Fernando Valenzuela on the mound for Opening Day because Jerry Reuss suffered a calf strain. That wound up marking the start of Fernandomania and one of the more celebrated careers in Dodgers franchise history.
The 1981 team also featured “The Longest Running Infield” of All-Stars Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Russel and Cey, who played together for more than eight seasons.
The Dodgers went 36-21 in the first half, but were just one game over .500 in the second half at 27-26. Combined that was good for the second-best record in the West and amounted to a National League Division Series matchup with the Houston Astros.
L.A. won the series in five games, then staved off elimination against the Montreal Expos in the NL Championship Series to win that in five games as well. The Dodgers rode their momentum to defeat the New York Yankees in the World Series in six games.
Stewart not joining Dodgers’ ’81 celebration
While several players from the 1981 Dodgers roster will be on hand to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their championship, Dave Stewart is skipping the festivities because of not being in agreement with how the team has handled the Trevor Bauer investigation.
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