This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history centered around managerial transactions involving Walter Alston and Jim Tracy.
While the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn, team owner Walter O’Malley announced Alston as the new manager. He took over for Chuck Dressen, who managed the team for three seasons.
Alston becoming Dodgers manager amounted to immediate success, including a second-place National League finish for the club in his first year and a World Series title in 1955.
Alston, who was often also known as “Smokey,” managed the Dodgers for 23 years, spanning from Brooklyn until finishing his tenure in Los Angeles in 1976. Alston’s contract style was noteworthy, being that he managed for 23 seasons under only successive one-year contracts at a time.
In addition to capturing four World Series championships with Alston as Dodgers manager, the Ohio native also led the organization to seven NL titles. Alston was named Manager of the Year six times and his career victories span over 2,000.
One year after Alston stepped away, the Dodgers retired his No 24 jersey. At the time, it was only the fourth instance they bestowed the honor.
Alston was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Dodgers history: Nov. 24
Jim Tracy signs contract extension
On this date in Dodgers history, Jim Tracy signed a two-year contract extension in 2004 to manage the team through the end of the 2006 season.
Tracy, who held his first Major League managerial job with Los Angeles, was inked to an extension after leading the Dodgers to an NL West title in 2004, which was their first since 1995. Despite losing that postseason to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Divisional Series, the Dodgers’ regular season record was an impressive 93-69.
Although he was signed through 2006, both Tracy and the Dodgers decided to mutually part ways after a dismal 71-91 record in 2005, citing “philosophical differences.”
Tracy went 427-383 over his four years as Dodgers manager.
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!
