The Dodgers lost their steadiest player, Wes Parker, who had an appendectomy while the team was in Chicago.

Parker was having his best season, hitting .296. He complained of
stomach pains after arriving with the team in Chicago. The Dodgers
called up Tommy Hutton to replace him.

"Parker was the one guy that believed from the start we would win," Manager Walt Alston said.

Hutton was a highly touted prospect who had his best seasons after
leaving the Dodgers. He played for the Phillies, Blue Jays and Expos.

In 1969, he filled in for Parker and hoped to stay in the majors: "I
would hate the thought of not playing in Los Angeles but I want to
play, period. That's the important thing."

–Keith Thursby