This Day In Dodgers History: Tommy Lasorda Hired, Manny Mota Breaks Pinch-Hit Record, Gary Sheffield Ties Duke Snider & ‘1+4’ Game

On September 29, 1976, Tommy Lasorda was hired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager, becoming the successor to Hall of Famer Walter Altson.

Alston began his coaching career as a player-manager in 1946 for the Nashua Dodgers of the Class-B New England League, which was the first integrated United States baseball team in the 20th century. Alston then managed both the Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers from 1954-76 by signing a series of one-year contracts.

He finished with a 2,040-1,613 record, good for a .558 winning percentage. The Dodgers won World Series titles under Alston in 1955, 1959, 1963 and 1965.

Lasorda rose to the occasion in the face of lofty expectations to fill as the new Dodgers manager. He finished a lifetime 1,599-1,439, won eight National League West titles, four pennants and two World Series.

Lasorda remained a fixture in the Dodgers organization after retiring and until passing away in January 2021. The Dodgers retired No. 2 for Lasorda on August 15, 1997.

Don Newcombe wins 20 games

Also on this day in Dodgers history, Don Newcombe became the first Black pitcher with 20 wins in a single season. He accomplished the feat by pitching a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Park on Sept. 29, 1591.

Newcombe miraculously threw 5.2 innings out of the bullpen the next day.

1959 Dodgers win pennant

The 1959 Dodgers won the NL pennant by defeating the then-Milwaukee Braves at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a thrilling 6-5 walk-off win in 12 innings.

The Dodgers went on to beat the Chicago White Sox in six games to win the 1959 World Series, capturing their first title since moving to Los Angeles.

Manny Mota pinch-hits

On September 29, 1979, Manny Mota set the MLB record with his 146th career pinch-hit in a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium.

Mota finished his career as the MLB all-time leader with 150 pinch-hits, but that record has since been broken by Lenny Harris (212) and Mark Sweeney (175), both of whom spent some time with the Dodgers.

Gary Sheffield ties Duke Snider

On September 29, 2000, Gary Sheffield tied Duke Snider’s Dodgers franchise record for most home runs in a season with his 43rd.

The Dodgers record for home runs now belongs to Shawn Green, who hit 49 in 2001.

1+4 game

Just over 15 years removed from the famous ‘4+1’ game against the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers had what Nomar Garciaparra — who was part of the aforementioned walk-off win — deemed a ‘1+4’ game in yet another comeback at the expense of their NL West counterpart on Sept. 29, 2021.

Trailing 9-5 in the seventh inning, Mookie Betts began the comeback with a solo home run to the left-field pavilion. Max Muncy and AJ Pollock combined for back-to-back home runs in the eighth, Cody Bellinger tied the game with two batters later a liner to right field.

Justin Turner followed with a pinch-hit double, and Corey Seager punctuated the rally with a game-winning two-run home run.