Yankees-Dodgers Rivalry
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The Yankees-Dodgers rivalry represents one of the most well-known rivalries in Major League Baseball. The two teams have met more times than any other pair of teams from the American and National Leagues. The initial significance was embodied in the two teams' close proximity in New York City, when the Dodgers initially played in Brooklyn. After the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958, the rivalry retained its significance as the two teams represented the two largest cities in the United States.
[edit] History
The rivalry began when the team first met in the 1941 World Series. In game 4, Dodgers' catcher Mickey Owen's dropped third strike of a sharply breaking curveball (a suspected spitball) pitched by Hugh Casey in the 9th inning led to a Yankees rally and eventually a World Championship.
Six years later, Brooklyn signed Jackie Robinson to not only break the color line but to bolster the lineup. Robinson, along with Duke Snider and Don Newcombe, sparked Brooklyn to 4 more National League Pennants between 1947 and 1953. However, it was the same result. But in 1955, the Dodgers prevailed over the Yankees to win their only World Series in Brooklyn. The next season, Brooklyn would lose the series in humiliating fashion as they would get caught by Don Larsen's perfect game in game 6.
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1958 season, it would take them two dominating pitchers (Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale), a speedy shortstop (Maury Wills) and a great outfielder (Tommy Davis) to spark them to a pennant in 1963. They would sweep the aging Yankees (consisting of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford).
After 14 years, sophomore manager Tommy Lasorda would lead a young Dodgers team into the 1977 World Series where they would face Billy Martin and the Yankees. LA featured the best infield in baseball (Steve Garvey at first, Davey Lopes at second, Ron Cey at third, and Bill Russell at short), slugger Reggie Smith, and a dynamic pitching duo (Don Sutton and Tommy John). As for New York, Martin had egoistic slugger Reggie Jackson, defensive geniuses Bucky Dent and Graig Nettles, Cy Young Award-winning closer Sparky Lyle, young pitcher Ron Guidry, and speedsters Willie Randolph and Mickey Rivers. The Dodgers appeared to win the Series, but Reggie Jackson put on his Mr. October suit as he hit three dingers in game 6 to lead the Yanks to their first World Series since 1962. The next season, the Yanks dealt with a comeback to win their division. But the Dodgers won the first two games of the series thanks to rookie pitcher Bob Welch. But New York would win the next four to take the 75th Fall Classic. In 1981, fortunes turned in LA's favor as rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela would win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award honors. But the Yankees had Rookie of the Year Dave Righetti (who was traded from the Rangers in exchange for Lyle) and daunting closer Rich Gossage. Now, this was a reversal of 1978. The Yankees would win the first two contests and LA would win the next four to win their first World Series since 1965.
After 23 years of not facing the Yankees, LA would host the Bombers in an interleague series in June where they took two out of three contests. One ending had closer Eric Gagne strike out Bernie Williams for the final out.
