Reggie Smith was formally inducted as the 10th member of the Legends of Dodger Baseball during a ceremony at Dodger Stadium.
Smith joined Don Newcombe (2019), Steve Garvey (2019), Fernando Valenzuela (2019), Maury Wills (2022), Kirk Gibson (2022), Manny Mota (2023), Orel Hershiser (2023), Dusty Baker (2024) and Ron Cey (2025) as Legends of Dodger Baseball members.
Smith, who helped lead three pennant-winning teams and was part of the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers that won the World Series, spent parts of six seasons with the team. The Centennial High School graduate made his Major League debut at age 21 with the 1966 Boston Red Sox.
The Dodgers acquired Smith in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals on June 15, 1976, in exchange for catcher Joe Ferguson and Minor Leaguers Freddie Tisdale and Bob Detherage.
Smith’s best season with the Dodgers came in in 1977, when he hit a career-high 32 home runs and was part of MLB’s first 30-homer quartet, along with teammates Garvey (33), Cey (30) and Baker (30). Smith also led the National League in on-base percentage (.427) that year.
Smith was an All-Star in 1977 and 1978 and in each season finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. Over his MLB career, Smith was a seven-time All-Star and started the 1980 Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium.
Smith returned to the Dodger organization and served as a Minor League instructor (1989–92), Minor League Field Coordinator (1993) and Major League hitting coach (1995–98). He also was part of Tommy Lasorda’s coaching staff in 2000 when Team USA won the gold medal in the Summer Olympics baseball tournament in Sydney, Australia.
Dodgers ceremony speakers
Dodgers broadcaster Stephen Nelson was emcee for Smith’s induction ceremony, which included speeches from Rick Monday and Baker. The pregame ceremony also featured a highlights montage from Smith’s career and video tributes from Tommy Lasorda, Steve Yeager, Erick Karros and current Dodgers Major League video coordinator Petie Montero.
Montero’s inclusion was a full circle moment as he attended one of Smith’s baseball camps at just 12 years old despite not being able to afford the tuition. Smith worked out an arrangement for Montero to help with the camp and also one day pay it forward himself.
After Smith was presented his custom Dodger blue blazer that all Legends of Dodger Baseball have received, he took the dais to give his gratitude.
“It’s truly an honor but more importantly, I’m truly humbled by this selection,” Smith said. “When Ron put this jacket on me, I knew that I had finally become one of the Dodger legends. I’d like to say thank you to the Dodger organization for this selection. Especially Lon Rosen, who called me to let me know that I had been selected.
“So I want to thank Lon personally, and certainly Cary Osborne for putting up with me for this time to make sure that the tickets and all my requests were met.”
Smith also specifically highlighted Peter O’Malley for being in attendance, thanking him for his family bringing the Dodgers franchise to Los Angeles from Brooklyn.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
