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1988 Los Angeles Dodgers season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Champions
National League Champions
National League West Champions
LeagueNational League
DivisionWest
BallparkDodger Stadium
CityLos Angeles
Record94–67 (.584)
Divisional place1st
OwnersPeter O'Malley
General managersFred Claire
ManagersTommy Lasorda
TelevisionKTTV–TV 11
(Vin Scully, Ross Porter, Don Drysdale)
Z Channel
(Rick Monday, Tony Hernandez)
RadioKABC–AM 790
(Vin Scully, Ross Porter, Don Drysdale)
KWKW–AM 1330
(Jaime Jarrín, René Cárdenas)
← 1987 Seasons 1989 →

The 1988 season was a memorable one for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a squad that was picked to finish fourth wound up winning the World Series, beating the heavily favored New York Mets and Oakland Athletics along the way. Kirk Gibson carried the Dodger offense, winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Orel Hershiser dominated on the mound, throwing a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings on his way to winning the Cy Young Award.

Offseason

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With the sub-par 1987 performance fresh in their minds, General Manager Fred Claire and Field Manager Tom Lasorda knew what needed to be fixed. They started the off-season by allowing poor performers such as Glenn Hoffman, Ken Landreaux and Phil Garner explore the free agent market. On December 11, 1987, Claire pulled the trigger on a trade that helped solidify the Dodgers' defense and bullpen, despite giving up one of the top pitchers of the National League in 1987 in Bob Welch. The Dodgers acquired shortstop Alfredo Griffin and relief pitchers Jay Howell and Jesse Orosco in a three-team trade ironically with the Athletics and Mets, the two teams they would eventually defeat in the '88 postseason. In an attempt to boost the offense for the upcoming season, the Dodgers signed Mike Davis on December 15, 1987. The biggest move of the off-season was still to come.

On January 29, 1988, the Dodgers signed free agent slugger Kirk Gibson from the Detroit Tigers. Gibson, who was a 9-year veteran at the time of the signing, was known for his power at the plate and speed on the basepaths, but was also brought in to be a clubhouse leader. To help solidify their roster the Dodgers went on to sign 21-year veteran pitcher Don Sutton and 20-year veteran catcher Rick Dempsey. Dempsey, known for his fiery personality, joined Gibson as the veteran clubhouse leaders.

It was Gibson, however, who would make the biggest impact. Preparing for his first spring training game as a Dodger on March 3, 1988, Gibson began his pregame warm-ups in the outfield. Taking off his hat to wipe sweat from his head, Gibson noticed people laughing. He soon realized that someone (it turned out to be reliever Jesse Orosco) had greased the inside of his cap with eyeblack and he had unknowingly wiped it all over himself in full view of the fans who were in attendance. Gibson immediately left the field in anger and left the Dodgers' spring training complex, missing the game. The next day, manager Tommy Lasorda held a team meeting where Orosco apologized. The message was made clear, however: Gibson came to the Dodgers to win and was serious about it.[2]

Key players from the 1987 team were also brought back. These players included right fielder Mike Marshall, center fielder John Shelby, catcher Mike Scioscia, Second Baseman Steve Sax, Utilityman Mickey Hatcher, and pitchers Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, and Tim Leary.

Regular season

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Season standings

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NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Los Angeles Dodgers 94 67 .584 45‍–‍36 49‍–‍31
Cincinnati Reds 87 74 .540 7 45‍–‍35 42‍–‍39
San Diego Padres 83 78 .516 11 47‍–‍34 36‍–‍44
San Francisco Giants 83 79 .512 11½ 45‍–‍36 38‍–‍43
Houston Astros 82 80 .506 12½ 44‍–‍37 38‍–‍43
Atlanta Braves 54 106 .338 39½ 28‍–‍51 26‍–‍55

Record vs. opponents

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Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta 5–7 5–13 5–13 4–14 4–8 4–8 6–6 5–5 8–10 5–13 3–9
Chicago 7–5 6–6 7–5 4–8–1 9–9 9–9 8–10 7–11 8–4 5–7 7–11
Cincinnati 13–5 6–6 9–9 7–11 5–7 4–7 9–3 7–5 10–8 11–7 6–6
Houston 13–5 5–7 9–9 9–9 6–6 5–7 8–4 8–4 6–12 7–11 6–6
Los Angeles 14–4 8–4–1 11–7 9–9 8–4 1–10 11–1 6–6 7–11 12–6 7–5
Montreal 8–4 9–9 7–5 6–6 4–8 6–12 9–9–1 8–10 4–8 7–5 13–5
New York 8–4 9–9 7–4 7–5 10–1 12–6 10–8 12–6 7–5 4–8 14–4
Philadelphia 6-6 10–8 3–9 4–8 1–11 9–9–1 8–10 7–11 4–7 7–5 6–12
Pittsburgh 5–5 11–7 5–7 4–8 6–6 10–8 6–12 11–7 8–4 8–4 11–7
San Diego 10–8 4–8 8–10 12–6 11–7 8–4 5–7 7–4 4–8 8–10 6–6
San Francisco 13–5 7–5 7–11 11–7 6–12 5–7 8–4 5–7 4–8 10–8 7–5
St. Louis 9–3 11–7 6–6 6–6 5–7 5–13 4–14 12–6 7–11 6–6 5–7


Opening Day lineup

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Opening Day Starters
# Name Position
3 Steve Sax 2B
7 Alfredo Griffin SS
23 Kirk Gibson LF
28 Pedro Guerrero 3B
5 Mike Marshall 1B
31 John Shelby CF
37 Mike Davis RF
14 Mike Scioscia C
34 Fernando Valenzuela P

[3]

Roster

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1988 Los Angeles Dodgers

Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

Starting 9

[edit]

Notable transactions

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Season summary

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April

[edit]

The Dodgers started the 1988 season at home against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers opening day pitcher was Valenzuela. The opening day lineup featured Sax, Griffin, Gibson, Marshall, Shelby, Davis, Scioscia and third baseman Pedro Guerrero. The first pitch of the season, to Sax by Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky, was hit into the left field seats at Dodger Stadium. However, Valenzuela would then give up the lead and the Dodgers would eventually lose the game 5–1. The team would go on to win their next five games and finish April with a 13–7 record which included a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Hershiser finished the month of April with a 5–0 record.

May

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The Dodgers went 14-13 during the month of May. As it had always been, May was one of the toughest months for the Dodgers. On May 21, 1988, Griffin was hit by a pitch from Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden on the hand. Griffin would miss over two months with a broken hand. This heated up the Dodger-Met rivalry which would last the remainder of the season. In fact, the next day, May 22, 1988, Mets starting pitcher David Cone hit Pedro Guerrero in the head in the 6th inning. As a show of disgust at what the Dodgers felt was headhunting by the Mets pitchers, Guerrero proceeded to stand up, throw his bat in Cone's direction and charge the mound. A benches clearing mêlée ensued and Guerrero and Lasorda were ejected from the game. Because Griffin had to be placed on the disabled list with a broken hand the Dodgers were left with a hole at shortstop, though they had a solid replacement in the form of veteran Dave Anderson. At times during May, the lead over the Astros neared five games. By the end of the month the Dodgers' lead in the NL West Division was only a half of a game over the Houston Astros.

June

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The Dodgers had a solid month of June compiling a record of 17–9 over the month. Hershiser continued his successful year by finishing the month of June with a record of 12–3. Much of the Dodgers' success to this point in the season could be attributed to solid starting pitching from Hershiser, Leary and the emerging rookie Tim Belcher. However, the best pitchers of the Dodgers' pitching staff were those who came out of the bullpen. Orosco, Howell, Brian Holton and Alejandro Peña were all enjoying successful seasons. After a slow start in April, Gibson was now hitting .288 with 15 HR's, 40 RBI, 53 runs scored and 15 SB's.

August

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The summer success continued for the Dodgers as they completed August with a 17–12 record. Don Sutton was released August 10 after GM Fred Claire discovered Sutton had informally discussed a possible front office job with the Houston Astros. Sutton was 3–6 with a 3.92 ERA at the time. Sutton did not sign with another team. His 233 career wins with the Dodgers remains the team record.

Dramatic summer moments

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Many who have followed the Dodgers have pointed to a few moments during the months of July and August that got the season going in the right direction, keep the successes going and exemplified what the 1988 Dodgers were all about.

  • July 6, 1988: Down 3–0 in the bottom of the 8th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers scored three runs then Anderson, Mike Sharperson and Sax loaded the bases. The Cardinals would bring in closer Todd Worrell in an attempt to snuff out the rally. However, first baseman Franklin Stubbs would drive a Worrell offering into the right field seats for a game winning grand slam.
  • August 13, 1988: The Dodgers and Giants take the Dodger Stadium fans to the 11th inning with a tie. Guerrero starts the Dodgers side of the 11th inning with a fly ball to right that Giants outfielder Candy Maldonado loses in the lights. A passed ball allows Guerrero to go to second. However, Guerrero and Lasorda are then ejected from the game arguing that the Giants' pitcher had balked. Because of this, Stubbs had to pinch run for Guerrero leaving the Dodgers with no additional pinch hitters on their bench. When pitcher Alejandro Peña's batting spot comes around in the lineup they are forced to pinch hit for him with another pitcher, Tim Leary. Amazingly, Leary singled back up the middle and Stubbs scored giving the Dodgers the extra inning walk off win.
  • A week after Leary's dramatic game-winning hit, the Dodgers had another walk off win. The Dodgers entered the bottom of the 9th inning at Dodger Stadium trailing the Montreal Expos 3–2. The Expos brought in Joe Hesketh to close out the game. After getting Sax out, Hesketh allowed Mickey Hatcher to double. Anderson ran for Hatcher and Kirk Gibson singled home Anderson. One out later with John Shelby at the plate, Gibson stole second base. With Shelby still at the plate, Hesketh threw a wild pitch through catcher Nelson Santovenia. Gibson advanced to third but did not stop there; the former linebacker kept going, charging toward the plate that was being covered by pitcher Hesketh. Santovenia threw back to Hesketh but Gibson beat the throw to the plate giving the Dodgers the win. Gibson later revealed that part of his reasoning for attempting to take home was that he knew Hesketh had suffered a broken leg earlier in his career and Gibson felt he would not be willing to risk a collision by stepping into the basepath to block off the plate.

September/October

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Hershiser would begin a scoreless inning streak in September that he would eventually take to over 59 innings and pass Dodger legend Don Drysdale for the record for most consecutive scoreless innings. Hershiser would throw complete game shutouts against the Braves on September 5, the Reds on September 10, the Braves again on September 14, the Astros on September 19 and the Giants on September 23 to take him within 9 innings of Drysdale's record. Before Hershiser would get a chance to break the record the Dodgers needed to clinch the National League West Championship. Their chance came in San Diego on September 26. The San Diego Padres would take a 2–0 lead in the first inning, but the Dodgers would score 3 runs and win the game 3–2, clinching the division. Hershiser would get his next start on September 28 and he would pitch 10 scoreless innings against the Padres to break Drysdale's record.

Game log

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Regular season Game log

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1988 regular season game log: 94–67–1 (Home: 45–36; Away: 49–31–1)[8]
April: 13–7 (Home: 6–5; Away: 7–2)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
1 April 4 1:13 p.m. PDT Giants L 1–5 Dravecky (1–0) Valenzuela (0–1) 2:24 48,484 0–1 L1
2 April 5 7:05 p.m. PDT Giants W 5–0 Hershiser (1–0) Downs (0–1) 2:29 37,472 1–1 W1
3 April 7 4:41 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 5–2 Peña (1–0) Assenmaacher (0–1) Orosco (1) 3:11 5,257 2–1 W2
4 April 8 4:41 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 6–3 Leary (1–0) Coffman (0–1) Belcher (1) 2:27 10,723 3–1 W3
5 April 9 4:41 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 11–3 Valenzuela (1–1) Glavine (0–1) 2:37 16,603 4–1 W4
6 April 10 11:07 a.m. PDT @ Braves W 3–1 Hershiser (2–0) Mahler (0–1) Orosco (2) 2:24 14,171 5–1 W5
7 April 12 7:25 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 3–5 Hawkins (1–1) Sutton (0–1) Davis (1) 3:02 52,395 5–2 L1
8 April 13 7:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres W 4–3 Howell (1–0) Show (0–2) Orosco (3) 2:51 16,838 6–2 W1
9 April 14 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 0–2 Jones (1–1) Valenzuela (1–2) McCullers (2) 2:45 24,096 6–3 L1
10 April 15 7:08 pm PDT Braves W 3–2 Hershiser (3–0) Glavine (0–2) 2:27 41,222 7–3 W1
11 April 16 1:05 pm PDT Braves W 7–4 Belcher (1–0) Mahler (0–2) Peña (2) 2:40 27,114 8–3 W2
12 April 17 1:05 pm PDT Braves L 1–3 Smith (1–2) Sutton (0–2) 2:21 46,484 8–4 L1
13 April 18 7:08 p.m. PDT Padres W 6–0 Leary (2–0) Show (0–3) 3:00 24,357 9–4 W1
April 19 Padres Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: June 17)
April 20 Padres Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: June 19)
April 21 Padres Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 21)
April 22 @ Giants Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: July 26)
14 April 23 12:25 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 10–3 Hershiser (4–0) Krukow (1–1) 2:57 33,271 10–4 W2
15 April 24 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 4–0 Valenzuela (2–2) LaCoss (1–2) Howell (1) 2:50 39,092 11–4 W3
16 April 26 7:07 p.m. PDT Cubs L 3–7 Maddux (4–1) Leary (2–1) 2:39 34,279 11–5 L1
17 April 27 7:07 p.m. PDT Cubs W 4–0 Sutton (1–2) Moyer (1–2) Peña (3) 2:42 29,462 12–5 W1
18 April 28 7:05 p.m. PDT Cubs L 1–5 Schiraldi (1–2) Belcher (1–1) DiPino (1) 3:05 29,509 12–6 L1
19 April 29 7:05 p.m. PDT Cardinals W 6–4 Hershiser (5–0) Cox (2–3) Howell (2) 2:40 44,301 13–6 W1
20 April 30 7:05 p.m. PDT Cardinals L 2–5 O'Neal (2–1) Valenzuela (2–3) McWilliams (1) 2:42 47,425 13–7 L1
May: 14–13 (Home: 6–7; Away: 8–6)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
21 May 1 1:05 p.m. PDT Cardinals L 0–9 Tudor (1–0) Leary (2–2) Terry (1) 2:47 46,176 13–8 L2
22 May 2 7:08 p.m. PDT Pirates W 6–3 Orosco (1–0) Drabek (3–2) 3:16 26,821 14–8 W1
23 May 3 7:05 p.m. PDT Pirates W 14–6 Belcher (2–1) Dunne (1–1) 3:03 26,943 15–8 W2
24 May 4 7:05 p.m. PDT Pirates W 8–5 Hershiser (6–0) Palacios (0–2) 3:12 30,423 16–8 W3
25 May 6 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals W 10–2 Valenzuela (3–3) O'Neal (2–2) 2:25 49,194 17–8 W4
26 May 7 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals L 1–2 Worrell (1–2) Orosco (1–1) 2:28 46,159 17–9 L1
27 May 8 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Cardinals W 12–6 Sutton (2–2) DeLeón (2–3) 2:46 40,098 18–9 W1
May 9 @ Cubs Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: July 14)
28 May 10 11:20 a.m. PDT @ Cubs W 6–5 (14) Holton (1–0) Lancaster (1–3) Hershiser (1) 4:27 12,985 19–9 W2
29 May 11 4:05 p.m. PDT @ Pirates L 1–2 (11) Medvin (1–0) Peña (1–1) 3:46 26,367 19–10 L1
30 May 12 4:05 p.m. PDT @ Pirates L 4–7 Smiley (3–2) Hershiser (6–1) 2:29 11,072 19–11 L2
31 May 13 7:05 p.m. PDT Phillies L 1–2 Gross (3–1) Leary (2–3) Tekulve (2) 2:56 38,015 19–12 L3
32 May 14 7:05 p.m. PDT Phillies W 3–2 Sutton (3–2) Ruffin (3–3) Howell (3) 2:58 47,379 20–12 W1
33 May 15 1:05 p.m. PDT Phillies W 9–2 Belcher (3–1) Palmer (0–3) 3:07 41,045 21–12 W2
34 May 17 7:10 p.m. PDT Expos L 5–6 Heaton (1–2) Valenzuela (3–4) Burke (5) 2:50 34,309 21–13 L1
35 May 18 7:05 p.m. PDT Expos L 0–3 Dopson (1–1) Hershiser (6–2) Burke (6) 2:55 27,775 21–14 L2
36 May 19 7:05 p.m. PDT Expos W 2–0 Leary (3–3) Martínez (3–6) 2:36 25,283 22–14 W1
37 May 20 7:05 p.m. PDT Mets L 2–5 Fernandez (2–3) Sutton (3–3) Myers (6) 3:28 44,867 22–15 L1
38 May 21 7:05 p.m. PDT Mets L 0–4 Gooden (8–0) Belcher (3–12) 2:48 47,017 22–16 L2
39 May 22 1:08 p.m. PDT Mets L 2–5 Cone (6–0) Valenzuela (3–5) McDowell (5) 3:16 44,826 22–17 L3
40 May 24 2:55 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W 2–1 (12) Peña (2–1) Harris (0–1) Orosco (4) 3:46 17,759 23–17 W1
41 May 25 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W 4–0 Leary (4–3) Palmer (0–4) 2:28 24,444 24–17 W2
42 May 26 4:37 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W 10–8 Howell (2–0) Bedrosian (0–1) 3:14 19,361 25–17 W3
43 May 27 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos W 5–2 Orosco (2–1) McClure (1–2) Peña (3) 3:16 18,113 26–17 W4
44 May 28 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Expos L 2–3 (10) Parrett (4–1) Howell (2–1) 2:58 15,320 26–18 L1
45 May 29 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Expos W 2–1 Hershiser (7–2) Dopson (1–2) 2:24 35,311 27–18 W1
46 May 30 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Mets L 2–3 Darling (6–3) Leary (4–4) Myers (8) 2:50 42,096 27–19 L1
47 May 31 4:40 p.m. PDT @ Mets L 4–5 (11) Myers (3–0) Peña (2–2) 3:34 35,564 27–20 L2
June: 17–11 (Home: 9–6; Away: 8–5)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
48 June 1 5:02 p.m. PDT @ Mets W 4–3 Holton (2–0) Fernandez (2–5) Howell (4) 3:29 29,659 28–20 W1
49 June 3 7:35 p.m. PDT Reds W 13–5 Crews (1–0) Rasmussen (2–6) 3:28 45,242 29–20 W2
50 June 4 12:28 p.m. PDT Reds L 2–5 Rijo (6–1) Hershiser (7–3) 3:10 32,550 29–21 L1
51 June 5 1:06 p.m. PDT Reds W 5–4 Leary (5–4) Soto (3–5) Howell (5) 2:47 38,982 30–21 W1
52 June 6 5:13 p.m. PDT Astros L 4–10 Knepper (7–1) Peña (2–3) Andersen (2) 3:32 19,327 30–22 L1
53 June 7 7:35 p.m. PDT Astros L 2–5 Darwin (3–4) Belcher (3–3) 3:01 25,509 30–23 L2
54 June 8 7:40 p.m. PDT Astros W 11–1 Valenzuela (4–5) Scott (6–2) 2:23 33,737 31–23 W1
55 June 9 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros W 4–2 Hershiser (8–3) Ryan (5–4) Howell (6) 2:53 25,959 32–23 W2
56 June 10 7:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 3–4 McCullers (1–4) Howell (2–2) 2:46 19,859 32–24 L1
57 June 11 7:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 1–2 Rasmussen (3–6) Sutton (3–4) 2:07 26,068 32–25 L2
58 June 12 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 2–5 Whitson (6–5) Belcher (3–4) Davis (9) 2:14 21,533 32–26 L3
59 June 14 4:40 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 5–4 Valenzuela (5–5) Smith (1–7) Howell (7) 2:46 11,136 33–26 W1
60 June 15 4:40 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 7–5 Hershiser (9–3) Glavine (3–7) Peña (4) 2:50 10,154 34–26 W2
61 June 16 2:40 p.m. PDT @ Braves L 2–9 Smith (3–3) K. Howell (0–1) 2:27 9,666 34–27 L1
62 (1) June 17 4:08 p.m. PDT Padres L 4–7 Whitson (7–5) Leary (5–5) Davis (11) 2:36 34–28 L2
63 (2) June 17 7:20 p.m. PDT Padres L 3–4 Rasmussen (4–6) Holton (2–1) McCullers (6) 3:07 33,649 34–29 L3
64 June 18 1:09 p.m. PDT Padres W 3–0 Belcher (4–4) Show (5–7) Howell (8) 2:44 37,743 35–29 W1
65 (1) June 19 1:06 p.m. PDT Padres W 12–2 Hershiser (10–3) Jones (5–6) 2:17 36–29 W2
66 (2) June 19 3:59 p.m. PDT Padres W 5–4 (1) Crews (2–0) Davis (2–4) 3:28 37,045 37–29 W3
67 June 20 7:38 p.m. PDT Braves W 7–3 Hillegas (1–0) Glavine (3–8) Peña (5) 2:43 43,268 38–29 W4
68 June 21 7:35 p.m. PDT Braves W 2–1 Leary (6–5) Smith (3–4) 2:09 18,485 39–29 W5
69 June 22 7:35 p.m. PDT Braves L 1–4 Mahler (8–6) Sutton (3–5) 2:29 27,878 39–30 L1
70 June 24 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Reds W 5–3 Hershiser (11–3) Robinson (3–6) Belcher (2) 2:52 33,781 40–30 W1
71 June 25 4:06 p.m. PDT @ Reds W 6–4 Holton (3–1) Rijo (8–3) Orosco (5) 2:59 35,470 41–30 W2
72 June 26 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Reds W 9–6 Belcher (5–4) Franco (1–5) Holton (1) 3:05 29,520 42–30 W3
73 June 27 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W 4–0 Hillegas (2–0) Andújar (0–3) Peña (6) 2:47 27,185 43–30 W4
74 June 28 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros L 3–4 Knepper (8–1) Holton (3–2) Agosto (1) 2:34 28,838 43–31 L1
75 June 29 11:35 a.m. PDT @ Astros W 2–0 Hershiser (12–3) Ryan (5–6) 2:32 27,678 44–31 W1
July: 16–12–1 (Home: 5–7; Away: 11–5–1)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
76 July 1 7:37 p.m. PDT Cubs L 2–9 Moyer (5–7) Valenzuela (5–6) 3:09 42,763 44–32 L1
77 July 2 7:07 p.m. PDT Cubs W 8–1 Leary (7–5) Pico (3–3) 2:55 44,166 45–32 W1
78 July 3 1:05 p.m. PDT Cubs L 1–2 Sufcliffe (7–5) Hillegas (2–1) Lancaster (4) 2:44 43,209 45–33 L1
79 July 4 5:10 p.m. PDT Cardinals W 5–3 Peña (3–3) Tudor (4–3) Belcher (3) 2:48 44,855 46–33 W1
80 July 5 7:35 p.m. PDT Cardinals W 6–3 Hershiser (13–3) Cox (2–4) Belcher (4) 2:24 32,495 47–33 W2
81 July 6 7:37 p.m. PDT Cardinals W 7–3 Crews (3–0) Worrell (4–5) 2:45 37,210 48–33 W3
82 July 8 7:35 p.m. PDT Pirates L 3–4 Drabek (6–5) Leary (7–6) Gott (11) 3:15 40,690 48–34 L1
83 July 9 7:05 p.m. PDT Pirates L 2–8 Dunne (6–7) Hillegas (2–2) 3:14 46,662 48–35 L2
84 July 10 1:08 p.m. PDT Pirates L 2–7 Walk (10–4) Hershiser (13–4) 2:24 43,014 48–36 L3
59th All-Star Game in Cincinnati, OH
85 (1) July 14 10:05 a.m. PDT @ Cubs W 1–0 Leary (8–6) Sufcliffe (7–7) Peña (7) 2:49 49–36 W1
86 (2) July 14 1:59 p.m. PDT @ Cubs W 6–3 Holton (4–2) Schiraldi (4–8) Howell (9) 2:49 34,031 50–36 W2
87 July 15 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Cubs W 3–2 (10) Peña (4–3) Nipper (1–3) Orosco (6) 2:49 32,179 51–36 W3
88 July 16 10:20 a.m. PDT @ Cubs T 2–2 (9) 2:22 32,843 51–36–1 T1
89 (1) July 17 10:20 a.m. PDT @ Cubs W 4–1 Belcher (6–4) Pico (3–5) Peña (8) 2:52 52–36–1 W1
90 (2) July 17 1:47 p.m. PDT @ Cubs W 5–2 Holton (5–2) Lancaster (4–5) Howell (10) 2:42 35,138 53–36–1 W2
91 July 18 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals W 1–0 Leary (9–6) Worrell (4–7) 2:34 29,358 54–36–1 W3
92 July 19 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals L 2–3 DeLeón (6–7) Brennan (0–1) Worrell (17) 2:47 34,606 54–37–1 L1
93 July 20 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Cardinals L 7–8 Costello (3–0) Valenzuela (5–7) Worrell (18) 3:20 31,845 54–38–1 L2
94 July 21 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Pirates L 2–3 Drabek (8–5) Hershiser (13–5) Gott (15) 2:42 27,510 54–39–1 L3
95 July 22 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Pirates W 4–2 Belcher (7–4) Dunne (6–8) Howell (11) 3:06 44,888 55–39–1 W1
96 July 23 4:37 p.m. PDT @ Pirates W 6–2 Leary (10–6) Smiley (9–6) 2:46 35,817 56–39–1 W2
97 July 24 10:36 a.m. PDT @ Pirates W 2–1 Hillegas (3–2) Fisher (6–7) Howell (12) 3:00 35,677 57–39–1 W3
98 July 25 5:17 p.m. PDT @ Giants L 1–3 Downs (10–8) Valenzuela (5–8) 2:50 29,947 57–40–1 L1
99 (1) July 26 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 7–3 Hershiser (14–5) Mulholland (2–1) Howell (13) 2:57 58–40–1 W1
100 (2) July 26 9:10 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 6–5 (11) Holton (6–2) Garrelts (2–1) 4:13 49,209 59–40–1 W2
101 July 27 7:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants L 1–2 (10) Price (1–4) Leary (10–7) 2:51 34,168 59–41–1 L1
102 July 29 7:37 p.m. PDT Astros L 1–3 Scott (10–3) Hillegas (3–3) 2:17 48,268 59–42–1 L2
103 July 30 12:22 p.m. PDT Astros L 6–14 Darwin (4–9) Holton (6–3) 3:12 35,835 59–43–1 L3
104 July 31 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros W 6–1 Hershiser (15–5) Deshaies (7–8) 2:28 44,811 60–43–1 W1
August: 17–12 (Home: 10–6; Away: 7–6)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
105 August 1 5:14 p.m. PDT Reds L 3–4 Jackson (14–5) Peña (4–4) Murphy (2) 2:58 45,498 60–44–1 L1
106 August 2 7:00 p.m. PDT Reds W 2–0 Leary (11–7) Rijo (11–6) 2:20 44,091 61–44–1 W1
107 August 3 7:36 p.m. PDT Reds L 4–7 (11) Franco (3–5) Peña (4–5) Murphy (3) 3:12 41,535 61–45–1 L1
108 August 5 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros L 4–6 Deshaies (8–8) Hershiser (15–6) Smith (20) 2:59 43,426 61–46–1 L1
109 August 6 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W 5–3 Belcher (8–4) Ryan (8–9) Howell (14) 2:48 43,521 62–46–1 W1
110 August 7 11:35 a.m. PDT @ Astros L 2–4 Knepper (12–3) Leary (11–8) Agosto (3) 2:48 40,339 62–47–1 L1
111 August 8 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros L 0–10 Scott (12–3) Hillegas (3–4) 2:53 39,786 62–48–1 L2
112 August 9 5:09 p.m. PDT @ Reds L 0–6 Jackson (15–5) Sutton (3–6) 2:17 32,824 62–49–1 L3
113 August 10 4:36 p.m. PDT @ Reds W 8–5 Hershiser (16–6) Rijo (11–8) 3:06 30,809 63–49–1 W1
114 August 11 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Reds L 8–9 (10) Franco (4–5) Howell (2–3) 3:51 30,695 63–50–1 L1
115 August 12 7:38 p.m. PDT Giants W 7–3 Leary (12–8) Reuschel (15–6) Peña (9) 3:19 48,744 64–50–1 W1
116 August 13 7:10 p.m. PDT Giants W 2–1 (11) Peña (5–5) Price (1–5) 4:12 47,649 65–50–1 W2
117 August 14 1:08 p.m. PDT Giants L 4–15 Downs (12–9) Hershiser (16–7) Brantley (1) 3:17 45,502 65–51–1 L1
118 August 15 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants W 1–0 Belcher (9–4) Robinson (4–3) Orosco (7) 2:37 49,306 66–51–1 W1
119 August 16 7:30 p.m. PDT Phillies W 7–5 Leary (13–8) Carman (9–7) Howell (15) 2:50 32,482 67–51–1 W2
120 August 17 7:38 pm PDT Phillies W 7–2 Tudor (7–5) Maddux (3–3) 2:36 42,701 68–51–1 W3
121 August 18 1:05 pm PDT Phillies W 2–1 Howell (3–3) Gross (11–9) Orosco (8) 3:23 34,467 69–51–1 W4
122 August 19 7:37 p.m. PDT Expos W 2–0 Hershiser (17–7) Martínez (14–9) 2:15 36,217 70–51–1 W5
123 August 20 7:35 p.m. PDT Expos W 4–3 Howell (4–3) Hesketh (3–2) 2:41 46,743 71–51–1 W6
124 August 21 1:05 p.m. PDT Expos W 4–0 Leary (14–8) Heaton (3–9) 2:18 39,505 72–51–1 W7
125 August 22 7:35 p.m. PDT Mets L 1–7 Gooden (15–6) Tudur (7–6) 2:43 49,342 72–52–1 L1
126 August 23 7:38 p.m. PDT Mets L 1–5 Cone (13–3) Martínez (0–1) Myers (18) 3:07 45,512 72–53–1 L2
127 August 24 7:38 p.m. PDT Mets L 1–2 Leach (6–1) Hershiser (17–8) McDowell (14) 2:40 47,115 72–54–1 L3
128 August 26 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W 7–2 Belcher (10–4) Freeman (0–2) 2:53 27,533 73–54–1 W1
129 August 27 4:06 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W 4–2 Leary (15–8) Carman (9–9) Howell (16) 3:03 27,324 74–54–1 W2
130 August 28 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Phillies W 5–0 Tudor (8–6) Gross (11–11) 2:54 28,570 75–54–1 W3
131 August 29 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos W 2–1 Martínez (1–1) Martínez (15–10) Howell (17) 2:37 16,002 76–54–1 W4
132 August 30 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos W 4–2 Hershiser (18–8) Holman (2–6) 2:23 21,454 77–54–1 W5
133 August 31 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos L 3–4 Parrett (11–3) Peña (5–6) 2:41 12,068 77–55–1 L1
September: 16–11 (Home: 6–5; Away: 7–2)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
134 September 2 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Mets L 0–8 Darling (15–9) Leary (14–9) 2:28 44,889 77–56–1 L2
135 September 3 11:30 a.m. PDT @ Mets L 1–2 Gooden (16–6) Tudor (8–7) Myers (21) 2:42 43,896 77–57–1 L3
September 4 @ Mets Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: No rescheduling)
136 September 5 4:40 p.m. PDT @ Braves W 3–0 Hershiser (19–8) Mahler (9–13) 2:24 10,768 78–57–1 W1
137 September 6 11:42 a.m. PDT @ Braves L 1–2 Assenmaacher (7–6) Orosco (2–2) Sutter (13) 2:46 7,245 78–58–1 L1
138 September 7 7:38 p.m. PDT Astros W 4–1 Leary (15–9) Scott (13–6) Howell (18) 3:03 35,874 79–58–1 W1
139 September 8 7:38 p.m. PDT Astros L 1–2 Ryan (11–11) Tudor (8–8) 2:40 36,504 79–59–1 L1
140 September 9 7:39 p.m. PDT Reds L 2–5 Jackson (21–6) Martínez (1–2) 2:53 42,557 79–60–1 L2
141 September 10 7:05 p.m. PDT Reds W 5–0 Hershiser (20–8) Charlton (1–4) 2:31 42,393 80–60–1 W1
142 September 11 1:05 p.m. PDT Reds W 5–3 Crews (4–0) Franco (5–6) 2:55 40,635 81–60–1 W2
143 September 12 7:35 p.m. PDT Braves W 5–4 Leary (17–9) Glavine (6–16) Peña (10) 2:24 24,578 82–60–1 W3
144 September 13 7:38 p.m. PDT Braves W 2–0 Tudor (9–8) Smoltz (2–5) Howell (19) 2:37 22,758 83–60–1 W4
145 September 14 7:37 p.m. PDT Braves W 1–0 Hershiser (21–8) Mahler (9–15) 2:15 42,434 84–60–1 W5
146 September 16 7:02 p.m. PDT @ Reds L 0–1 Browning (16–5) Belcher (10–5) 1:51 16,591 84–61–1 L1
147 September 17 4:06 p.m. PDT @ Reds W 4–3 Orosco (3–2) Murphy (0–6) Howell (20) 3:09 31,328 85–61–1 W1
148 September 18 10:00 a.m. PDT @ Reds W 2–0 Tudor (10–8) Williams (3–2) Peña (11) 2:39 24,156 86–61–1 W2
149 September 19 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W 1–0 Hershiser (22–8) Darwin (7–12) 2:20 16,173 87–61–1 W3
150 September 20 2:00 p.m. PDT @ Astros W 6–0 Belcher (11–5) Forsch (10–6) 2:28 12,291 88–61–1 W4
151 (1) September 21 5:05 p.m. PDT Padres L 3–9 Rasmussen (15–9) Martínez (1–3) 2:44 88–62–1 L1
152 (2) September 21 8:25 p.m. PDT Padres W 6–5 (10) Howell (5–3) Davis (5–10) 3:29 31,120 89–62–1 W1
153 September 22 7:35 p.m. PDT Padres L 4–5 Show (15–11) Peña (5–7) 2:45 30,074 89–63–1 L1
154 September 23 7:39 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 3–0 Hershiser (23–8) Hammaker (8–9) 2:38 22,341 90–63–1 W1
155 September 24 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Giants W 7–3 Horton (1–0) Wilson (0–2) Orosco (9) 3:03 34,214 91–63–1 W2
156 September 25 1:00 p.m. PDT @ Giants L 0–2 Cook (2–0) Belcher (11–6) 2:25 40,743 91–64–1 L1
157 September 26 7:07 p.m PDT @ Padres W 3–2 Peña (6–7) Rasmussen (15–10) Howell (21) 2:53 18,552 92–64–1 W1
158 September 27 7:05 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 4–8 Show (16–11) Leary (17–10) 2:39 13,325 92–65–1 L1
159 September 28 7:10 p.m. PDT @ Padres L 1–2 (16) Leiper (3–0) Horton (1–1) 4:24 22,596 92–66–1 L2
160 September 30 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants W 6–4 Holton (7–3) Cook (2–1) Peña (12) 2:56 42,580 93–66–1 W1
October: 1–1 (Home: 1–1; Away: 0–0)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box
Streak
161 October 1 1:07 p.m. PDT Giants W 2–1 Belcher (12–6) Reuschel (19–11) Valenzuela (1) 2:09 33,951 94–66–1 W2
162 October 2 1:09 p.m. PDT Giants L 0–1 Robinson (10–5) Leary (17–11) 2:31 44,055 94–67–1 L1
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement
Bold = Dodgers team member

Postseason Game log

[edit]
1988 Postseason Game Log: 8–4 (Home: 4–2; Away: 4–2)
NL Championship Series: vs. New York Mets 4–3 (Home: 2–2; Away: 2–1)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box
Streak
1 October 4 5:28 p.m. PDT Mets L 2–3 Myers (1–0) Howell (0–1) 2:45 55,582 NY 1–0 L1
2 October 5 7:08 p.m. PDT Mets W 6–3 Belcher (1–0) Cone (0–1) Peña (1) 3:10 55,780 Tied 1–1 W1
October 7 @ Mets Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: October 8)
3 October 8 9:20 a.m. PDT @ Mets L 4–8 Myers (2–0) Peña (0–1) 3:44 44,672 NY 2–1 L1
4 October 9 5:22 p.m. PDT @ Mets W 5–4 (12) Peña (1–1) McDowell (0-1) Hershiser (1) 4:29 54,014 Tied 2–2 W1
5 October 10 9:00 a.m. PDT @ Mets W 7–4 Belcher (2–0) Fernandez (0–1) Holton (1) 3:07 52,069 LA 3–2 W2
6 October 11 5:22 p.m. PDT Mets L 1–5 Cone (1–1) Leary (0–1) 3:16 55,885 Tied 3–3 L1
7 October 12 5:22 p.m. PDT Mets W 6–0 Hershiser (1–0) Darling (0–1) 2:51 55,693 LA 4–3 W1
World Series: vs. Oakland Athletics 4–1 (Home: 2–0; Away: 2–1)
# Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box
Streak
1 October 15 5:30 p.m. PDT Athletics W 5–4 Peña (1–0) Eckersley (0–1) 3:04 55,983 LA 1–0 W1
2 October 16 5:25 p.m. PDT Athletics W 6–0 Hershiser (1–0) Davis (0–1) 2:30 56,051 LA 2–0 W2
3 October 18 5:30 p.m. PDT @ Athletics L 1–2 Honeycutt (1–0) Howell (0–1) 3:21 49,316 LA 2–1 L1
4 October 19 5:25 p.m. PDT @ Athletics W 4–3 Belcher (1–0) Stewart (0–1) Howell (1) 3:05 49,317 LA 3–1 W1
5 October 20 5:39 p.m. PDT @ Athletics W 5–2 Hershiser (2–0) Davis (0–2) 2:51 49,317 LA 4–1 W2
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement
Bold = Dodgers team member

Player stats

[edit]

Batting

[edit]

Starters by position

[edit]

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB
C Mike Scioscia 130 408 29 105 .257 3 35 0
1B Franklin Stubbs 115 242 30 54 .223 8 34 11
2B Steve Sax 160 632 70 175 .277 5 57 42
3B Jeff Hamilton 111 309 34 73 .236 6 33 0
SS Alfredo Griffin 95 316 39 63 .199 1 27 7
LF Kirk Gibson 150 542 106 157 .290 25 76 31
CF John Shelby 140 494 65 130 .263 10 64 16
RF Mike Marshall 144 542 63 150 .277 20 82 4

Other batters

[edit]

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player G AB R H Avg. HR RBI SB
Dave Anderson 116 285 31 71 .249 2 20 4
Mike Davis 108 281 29 55 .196 2 17 7
Pedro Guerrero 59 215 24 64 .298 5 35 2
Mickey Hatcher 88 191 22 56 .293 1 25 0
Tracy Woodson 65 173 15 43 .249 3 15 1
Rick Dempsey 77 167 25 42 .251 7 30 1
Danny Heep 95 149 14 36 .242 0 11 2
Mike Sharperson 46 59 8 16 .271 0 4 0
Mike Devereaux 30 43 4 5 .116 0 2 0
José González 37 24 7 2 .083 0 0 3
Chris Gwynn 12 11 1 2 .182 0 0 0
Gilberto Reyes 5 9 1 1 .111 0 0 0

Pitching

[edit]

Starting pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; CG = Complete games

Player G GS IP W L ERA BB SO CG
Orel Hershiser 35 34 267.0 23 8 2.26 73 178 15
Tim Leary 35 35 228.2 17 11 2.91 56 180 9
Tim Belcher 36 27 179.2 12 6 2.91 51 152 4
Fernando Valenzuela 23 22 142.1 5 8 4.24 76 64 3
Don Sutton 16 16 87.1 3 6 3.92 30 44 0
Shawn Hillegas 11 10 56.2 3 4 4.13 17 30 0
John Tudor 9 9 52.1 4 3 2.41 10 32 1
Bill Krueger 1 1 2.1 0 0 11.57 2 1 0

Other pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Ramón Martínez 9 35.2 1 3 3.79 23
Ken Howell 4 12.2 0 1 6.39 12
William Brennan 4 9.1 0 1 6.75 7

Relief pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L SV ERA BB SO
Jay Howell 50 65.0 5 3 21 2.08 21 70
Alejandro Peña 60 94.1 6 7 12 1.91 27 83
Jesse Orosco 55 53.0 3 2 9 2.72 30 43
Brian Holton 45 84.2 7 3 1 1.70 26 49
Tim Crews 42 71.2 4 0 0 3.14 16 45
Brad Havens 9 9.2 0 0 0 4.66 4 8
Ricky Horton 12 9.0 1 1 0 5.00 2 8

Playoffs

[edit]

National League Championship Series

[edit]

The Dodgers faced the New York Mets in the LCS. The Mets had dominated the Dodgers during the regular season, winning 10 out of 11 meetings and were heavy favorites going into the series. But the Dodgers, led by series MVP Orel Hershiser (who pitched a complete game shutout in game 7) won the series 4 games to 3.

World Series

[edit]

The Dodgers were again heavy underdogs in the World Series against the Oakland Athletics, led by sluggers Mark McGwire and José Canseco. However, the Dodgers won the series in five games thanks to Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit game winning homer in the first game off of Dennis Eckersley and the continued mastery of series MVP Orel Hershiser.

Awards

[edit]

Farm system

[edit]
Level Team League Manager
AAA Albuquerque Dukes Pacific Coast League Terry Collins
AA San Antonio Missions Texas League Kevin Kennedy
High A Bakersfield Dodgers California League Gary LaRocque
High A Vero Beach Dodgers Florida State League John Shoemaker
A-Short Season Salem Dodgers Northwest League Tom Beyers
Rookie Great Falls Dodgers Pioneer League Tim Johnson
Rookie Gulf Coast Dodgers Gulf Coast League Joe Alvarez

Teams in BOLD won League Championships

Major League Baseball Draft

[edit]

The Dodgers drafted 62 players in this draft. Of those, 11 of them would eventually play Major League baseball. The Dodgers lost their second round pick to the Oakland Athletics as compensation for their signing free agent outfielder Mike Davis.

The top pick in the draft was Pitcher Bill Bene out of California State University, Los Angeles. In nine seasons in the Minors he had a record of 18–34 with a 5.45 ERA in 252 games (49 starts). In 2012, he was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison for operating a counterfeit karaoke business and failing to pay federal taxes.[9]

This draft produced two of the Dodgers top players of the 1990s. In the sixth round they selected first baseman Eric Karros from UCLA. The 1992 Rookie of the Year and a 1995 Silver Slugger Award winner, Karros hit .268 with 284 homers and 1,027 RBI in 14 seasons (12 of them with the Dodgers) and is the L.A. Dodgers all-time home run leader.

In the 62nd round with their last pick of the draft the Dodgers selected Mike Piazza from Miami Dade College as a favor to his god-father, manager Tommy Lasorda. Piazza would win the 1993 Rookie of the Year Award and was a 12 time All-Star and 10 time Silver Slugger Award winner in his 16 seasons (mostly with the Dodgers and New York Mets). He hit .308 with 427 home runs and 1,335 RBI.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kirk Gibson Stats".
  2. ^ "Gibson Returns, Isn't Amused : Orosco Apologizes After Admitting He Blackened Cap". Los Angeles Times. March 5, 1988.
  3. ^ 1988 Opening Day Lineup at Baseball-Reference
  4. ^ Raúl Mondesí page at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ Mario Soto page at Baseball Reference
  6. ^ Don Sutton page at Baseball Reference
  7. ^ Shawn Hillegas page at Baseball Reference
  8. ^ "1988 Los Angeles Dodgers schedule and results". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Ex-Dodgers pitcher Bill Bene gets 6 months in jail for dodging taxes". LA Daily News. September 23, 2012. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  10. ^ 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft
[edit]