This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw the franchise become the first MLB team to draw more than 2 million in home and road attendance during the same season. The Dodgers accomplished the feat Sept. 4, 1966, during an 8-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The game was played in front of 18,670 fans at Crosley Field.
John Kennedy went 3-for-5 with an RBI in the Dodgers’ win, while Jim Gilliam, Ron Failry and Jim Lefebvre had two hits each. Gilliam, Lefebvre and Tommy Davis tied for the team lead with two RBI.
Don Drysdale only completed two innings prior to being replaced by Ron Perranoski, who was credited with the win after throwing 2.2 frames. Phil Regan converted his 16th save of the year.
Dodgers attendance for the 1966 season led the Majors at 2,617,029. They were the only team to surpass 2 million in attendance that season, and had an average of 32,309 per game.
The New York Mets were second in baseball with 1,932,693 in attendance for the 1966 season. Eventual World Series champions Baltimore Orioles, who swept the Dodgers, were ninth in attendance at 1,203,366.
The 1966 season was part of a stretch that saw the Dodgers surpass 2 million in attendance for five consecutive years, and seven of eight beginning in 1959. However, they didn’t reach that mark again until the 1971 season.
Dodgers road attendance
That the Dodgers would draw well on the road to make MLB history is hardly a surprise. Dodgers fans not only have a strong travel presence, but there is also interest from host cities in seeing what regularly is one of the best teams in baseball.
During a weekend set against the San Diego Padres in April 2022, the Dodgers helped Petco Park set an attendance record for a three-game series at 133,856.
It surpassed the 133,456 attendance from May 3-5, 2019, which also was for a three-game series the Dodgers were part of.
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