Spokane Built the Dodgers Dynasty

Show Notes:

Author and researcher Eric Vickrey returns to the Exploring Washington State Podcast with a story most baseball fans have never heard — how Spokane helped build the future Dodgers dynasty.

In his new book, Before They Wore Dodger Blue, Eric uncovers the overlooked role the Inland Northwest played in shaping the players, culture, and leadership that would later define one of the most successful eras in Major League Baseball. From the seismic 1968 MLB Draft to the 1970 Spokane Indians, this episode connects the dots between a small Northwest city and a national baseball powerhouse.

We dig into:

• Why the 1968 draft was a turning point for the Dodgers
• How Spokane became a developmental forge for future MLB stars
• The early version of Tommy Lasorda—before the legend
• Player stories that reveal who these athletes were before the spotlight
• What modern baseball can learn from this forgotten era
• Why this Washington chapter deserves recognition

Whether you’re a baseball die-hard, a Washington history fan, or simply love a great origin story, this is an episode that reframes what you think you know about the Dodgers — and shines a light on Spokane’s rightful place in baseball history.

Guest: Eric Vickrey

Book: Before They Wore Dodger Blue

Website: ericvickrey.com