Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Well, the baseball world got want it wanted, even if there might be some grumblings about it from the hinterlands: Dodgers versus Yankees in the 2024 World Series. An epic prizefight between two heavyweights. But this is not only a matchup between the two best teams in the regular season in each of their respective leagues. It is a contest made all the more delicious considering the rich history that precedes it.
The rivalry between the Dodgers and the Yankees is one of the most storied and intense in Major League Baseball history. This fierce competition, which spans nearly a century, is steeped in tradition, legendary moments, and a mutual quest for supremacy in America’s pastime. From the perspective of the Dodgers, this rivalry has been a tale of dramatic highs, heartbreaking lows, and an enduring quest for redemption.
The roots of this rivalry trace back to the early 20th century when the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn and known as the Brooklyn Grays and the Brooklyn Superbas and the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers and Brooklyn Robins until 1931 when they became the Dodgers for good. For much of their early history, the Dodgers were “dem bums,” the lovable losers from Brooklyn, forever in the shadow of the Bronx Bombers across town, where Ruth, Gehrig, and the rest of “Murderers’ Row” bashed their way to multiple championships.
But finally, the tide started to turn for the Dodgers. In 1939, they finished third in the National League. In 1940, they improved to second place. Then, finally, they broke through in 1941 with their first pennnant in two decades. The first World Series meeting between the our Dodgers and the Yankees occurred in 1941. However, the Yankees emerged victorious in five games, setting a tone of early frustration for the Brooklyn faithful. Clearly, postseason disappointment is part of the Dodger fans’ DNA for many years.
The rivalry intensified in the late 1940s and early 1950s, a period often regarded as the golden era of baseball. The Dodgers, with stars like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, and Duke Snider, became perennial contenders. They faced the Yankees in the World Series four times in the span of seven years (1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953). Each time, the Dodgers fell short, cementing a narrative of near-misses and Yankee dominance. The 1947 series was particularly notable, as it featured Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier, adding a profound layer of significance to the competition.
The breakthrough finally came in 1955. Managed by Walter Alston and led by players like Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe, the Dodgers captured their first World Series title by defeating the Yankees in seven games. The victory was a cathartic moment for Brooklyn, symbolizing not just a triumph over their arch-nemesis, but a validation of their long struggle and perseverance. Johnny Podres, the series MVP, became a Brooklyn hero, and the iconic image of Dodgers’ catcher Roy Campanella leaping into Podres’ arms remains etched in baseball lore.
The celebration in Brooklyn was short-lived as the Dodgers and Yankees met again in the 1956 World Series. This time, the Yankees reclaimed the title, highlighted by Don Larsen‘s perfect game in Game 5, a historic performance that remains the only perfect game in World Series history. For Dodgers fans, it was a bitter reminder of their nemesis’s prowess and their own fragile hold on glory.
In 1958, the Dodgers made a monumental move west to Los Angeles, a decision that transformed the franchise and the rivalry. Despite the change in geography, the Dodgers’ competitive spirit remained unaltered. The teams met again in the 1963 World Series, with the Dodgers now featuring stars like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Maury Wills. In a stunning turn of events, the Dodgers swept the Yankees in four games, with Koufax delivering two masterful performances. This victory was particularly sweet for Dodgers fans, as it signified not just a triumph over their old rivals, but also a successful transition to a new era in Los Angeles.
The rivalry saw another chapter in the 1977 and 1978 World Series. The Dodgers, with talents like Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Reggie Smith, were back-to-back National League champions. However, the Yankees, led by Reggie Jackson‘s legendary power-hitting, bested the Dodgers both years. Jackson’s three-home run performance in Game 6 of the 1977 series remains a painful memory for Dodgers fans.
The tide turned once more in 1981. The Dodgers, featuring Fernando Valenzuela, who captivated the baseball world with “Fernandomania,” faced the Yankees in the World Series for the 11th time. This time, Los Angeles emerged victorious in six games. Key performances by Pedro Guerrero, Ron Cey, and Steve Yeager, who shared the series MVP honors, were instrumental in securing the Dodgers’ first championship since 1965.
And now, finally, the rematch 43 years in the making. In the intervening years, each franchise has had its moments. The Yankees with their dominant run in the Joe Torre era of the late 90s and early 2000’s, and the Dodgers becoming the winningest team of the 15 years. And now, with the resurgence of the Yankees (and thanks to the Tigers for knocking off their October nemesis, the Astros*), the two teams are on a collision course for a battle for supremacy. At 3-8, the Dodgers’ World Series record against their former crosstown rivals leaves something to be desired. But all that can change over the next two weeks.
From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the rivalry with the Yankees has shaped the Dodgers’ identity. It is a saga of resilience and rivalry, of iconic players and unforgettable moments. For Dodgers fans, every victory over the Yankees is a cherished chapter in their storied history, and every defeat is a call to strive harder. This rivalry is more than just a series of games; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence in the world of baseball.
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