Members of the 1988 World Series champion Dodgers got together for a Zoom Party on Monday evening.

On hand were Orel Hershiser, Kirk Gibson, Mike Scioscia, Mickey Hatcher, Mike Marshall, Steve Sax, Franklin Stubbs, Jay Howell, John Shelby, and former Dodgers general manager Fred Claire. SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo and Joe Davis hosted the call, with Hershiser orchestrating his former teammates with questions and soliciting stories from everyone about their memories of that historic season.

The ’88 team had no problem firing off stories, from Kirk Gibson recalling a Spring Training incident when someone (former Dodgers left-hander Jesse Orosco) put eye black inside his cap as a prank that failed miserably but ended up being the catalyst that sent the team on their historic championship run, to right-hander Jay Howell being ejected and suspended for having pine tar on his glove in Game-3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. Howell made it very clear that every one of his former teammates supported him through his pine tar suspension, which he acknowledged was one of the toughest moments of his life.

Mike Scioscia recapped the Dodgers ’88 season as “Magical,” recalling that the group was never intimidated by anybody.

There was a special guest that joined the Zoom party – John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame. The former rocker grew up with baseball and always wanted to play center field in a major league ballpark. He finally got to live out his dream several weeks ago when he took the field at Dodger Stadium for his 75th Birthday on May 28 and played his hit song “Centerfield” with his family. He added that he played the song with his custom made baseball bat guitar for the special occasion.

Dodger Stadium Organist Dieter Ruehle played “Take me out to the Ballgame” for the 7th inning stretch, as fan photos were shown.

After the 7th inning stretch, it was back to recounting memories and laughs with the ’88 teammates. They were all excited to get back to talking about the special bond they had as a World Series-winning team.

As the call was wrapping up Mickey Hatcher recognized other players on the team such as Brian Holton, who was not on the Zoom call but was remembered for his NLCS Game-5 save against the Mets.

Scioscia recalled a little-known story and did a great job painting the picture.

“We got two outs the top of the ninth inning against the Mets,” which immediately cased Hershiser to interrupt the story by yelling “Forget it!” to his former batterymate, but to no avail. Scioscia continued with his story, saying that he had called for a slider away, but Hershiser threw an inside cutter that hit the batter, bringing ever-dangerous slugger Howard Johnson to the plate.

Scioscia went up to the mound to speak with Orel to regroup (and to ask him why he hadn’t thrown the pitch he had called for). Deflecting the question, Orel told Scioscia that he wanted to pitch out of a wind-up to Johnson so that the runner on first would try to steal second, but he would pitch-out, and Scioscia could nail him at second base. Scioscia told Hershiser absolutely not, adding that this was the craziest thing he had ever heard. Hershiser confirmed the story saying, “That’s a true story. That’s what made you very creative as an American League manager.”

The call wrapped up with a video clip of Hershiser’s final World Series-winning pitch, and with the guys saying their goodbye to one another.

You could see – and feel – the love and respect that these guys still have for one another even after 32 years.

…a love and respect they will share forever.

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