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RADIO & TV CALLS:
1977 to 1980
Here are a handful of my favorite calls from the 1977 to 1981 seasons. On some occasions, you can hear my prepubescent voice awkwardly setting up the action. Other calls are taken from other sources. There's more 1980 and 1981 on another page.
1977 Recordings
Baker Joins the 30-HR Club: October 2 was eventful for two reasons. It was the Dodgers' last home game, and Dusty Baker stroked his 30th home run -- off J. R. Richard, no less -- to join Garvey, Cey and Smith as the first quartet in major-league history to hit 30 home runs for the same team. And many believe it's when the "high five" was born, as Glenn Burke sprung a high five on a confused Baker after he crossed home plate. It took me forever to track down this historic home run, but here is it, called by Jerry Doggett! As for the commemorative poster above, it's much like one my childhood friend had. I remember being in awe of this accomplishment by the four Dodgers -- to me, it ranked right below the first lunar landing... and right above the wonder that was Pop Rocks.
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1978 Recordings
Homerun Highlights ID: This is the theme song and slogan I created when I was 12 for my collection of home runs, which grew to include other Dodger highlights as well. The "bat" sound fx is me clapping my hands. Gee, think you can tell?
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Lopes' Inside-the-Park HR: This was the single-most exciting call I heard Vin Scully make during the 1978 season. It came in a July 26 contest against the Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Notice how Vin clams up to let the crowd take you out.
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Garvey Sends a Message: On June 14, Steve Garvey had hit a homer off Jerry Koosman earlier in the game, so the pitcher brushed him back later in the game. Here's Garvey's response, with my intro. I love how Vin takes particular relish in Garvey's payback.
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Garvey Grand Slam: Like most "youngsters 14 and under," I was obsessed with Steve Garvey, and went out of my way to record his heroics, like this grand slam. Jerry Doggett makes the call, and my 11-year-old self tees it up.
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Reg-gie! Reg-gie! The eternally underrated Reggie Smith walloped 6 homers in 6 games in the summer of '78 -- and he did it twice! He capped one of his streaks with this grand slam in Philadelphia's old Veterans Stadium as called by Ross Porter.
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Union Oil Auto Script: Remember whenever the Dodgers hit a homer, the announcers would work in a charitable donation from Union 76? Here's one after (another) Reggie homer. The donations were only 20 bucks but went up to $50 for the 1981 season.
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1979 Recordings
Mota Meets His Quota: The highlights of a disastrous 1979 season were Davey Lopes' near-30/30 year, and Manny Mota's 145th career pinch-hit, a new Major League record. Here's the call from Ross Porter on September 2.
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1980 Recordings (Part 1)
Happy Hooton and Angry Davey: Rod Scurry of the Pirates shows his displeasure over a Hooton at-bat, and Vin gives us an excellent words-eye view of the ensuing drama. (Sadly, Scurry would die from drug-related issues just 12 years later.)
Jerry's No-No: On June 27, Jerry Reuss pitched a no-hitter in Candlestick Park. I captured Vin Scully's call of the final out off my black-and-white Zenith TV, whose rabbit ears were barely able to tune in the game on KTTV.
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Vin's Num-Scully Joke: On August 31, Vin got booed at Dodger Stadium. No, really. This clip is proof that virtually everyone used to listen to the radio during home games. Unfortunately, I'm missing the joke Vin uttered, but the aftermath is priceless.
Fergie Goes Deep: The Dodgers needed to sweep the first-place Astros in three season-ending games at Dodger Stadium to force a Game 163. This was how Game 1 of the "Big Three" ended in the bottom of the 10th inning. Vin with the call on television.
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Ferguson's Kelly Leak Play: Borrowing a page out of "The Bad News Bears," Joe Ferguson stunned the Phillies on August 25 with a play that shocked even Ross Porter. The meltdown that follows is like something out of the Keystone Kops.
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... BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
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