1967 Los Angeles Dodgers season
| 1967 Los Angeles Dodgers | |
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| Owner(s) | Walter O'Malley, James & Dearie Mulvey |
| General manager(s) | Buzzie Bavasi |
| Manager(s) | Walter Alston |
| Local television | KTTV (11) |
| Local radio |
KFI Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett KWKW José García, Jaime Jarrín |
| < Previous season Next season > | |
The 1967 Los Angeles Dodgers season marked the end of the franchise's most successful era on the ballpark. One season after losing the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles, the Dodgers declined to a record of 73–89, and finished ahead of only the Houston Astros and the New York Mets in the National League race, 28½ games behind the NL and World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. It was the Dodgers’ worst record since the war-affected 1944 season, and their worst peacetime record since 1937. The Dodgers would not return to the postseason until 1974.
The Dodgers were coming off back to back National League titles, but were mildly surprised by ace pitcher Sandy Koufax's retirement after the 1966 season. Still, while not expected to be a contender in 1967, there was a solid nucleus that would have been expected to win in the neighborhood of 85 games. However, a couple of questionable trades (Tommy Davis for Ron Hunt, and Maury Wills for Bob Bailey and Gene Michael) further weakened an offense that was already considered below average.
In April, leading hitter and team home run leader Lou Johnson was injured sliding into home against the Braves and missed two months of the season. New shortstop Gene Michael batted .202, a full 100 points less than the man he replaced, as Maury Wills batted .302 for the Pirates. Ron Fairly, Willie Davis, and Bob Bailey all slumped off from their 1966 production; but one of the few bright spots was rookie Al Ferrara's .277 average and 16 home runs in just over half the season. Ultimately, the Dodgers scored fewer runs than any National League team except the last place Mets.
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