LOS ANGELES – They’ve met a record 11 times as World Series opponents, but the Yankees and the current NL West leading Dodgers haven’t clashed in October in 42 years.
Maybe this year? At least the stars have aligned this weekend, for their sixth regular season meeting, with the series tied 8-8.
Ahead of the three-game series at Dodger Stadium, here’s a ranking of their best October clashes:
1947 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 3
Bill Bevens’ bid for a Game 4 no-hitter, and to give the Yankees a 3-1 series lead, ended with two out in the ninth, on pinch-hitter Cookie Lavagetto’s game-winning two-run double at Ebbets Field.
Dodger moment: Al Gionfriddo’s potential home run saving catch of Joe DiMaggio’s drive, with two aboard, preserved a three-run lead in Brooklyn’s Game 6 win at Yankee Stadium.
1956 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 3
After Don Larsen’s perfect game at Yankee Stadium in Game 5 put them up 3-2, the Dodgers won 1-0 in 10 innings in Game 6 before Yogi Berra’s two-homer day in a Game 7 clincher at Ebbets Field.
Yankee moment: As her husband leaped into Larsen’s arms in celebration, a pregnant Carmen Berra, in the stands at Yankee Stadium, vowed to name her child Dale, after Dale Mitchell, who struck out to end Game 5.
1955 World Series
Dodgers 4, Yankees 3
Brooklyn’s famous ‘Wait ‘til next year!’ phrase was retired as the Dodgers won their first championship, ending their 0-5 October streak against the Yanks with Johnny Podres’ 2-0 shutout in Game 7.
Dodger moment: After starting the first six games at third base, Jackie Robinson did not play in Game 7, replaced by Don Hoak. The second baseman was Don Zimmer.
1952 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 3
The Dodgers came back to Brooklyn with a 3-2 series lead. But the Yanks won 3-2 in Game 6, and Billy Martin’s charging catch of Robinson’s bases-loaded pop fly preserved a 4-2 lead in Game 7.
Dodger moment: Gil Hodges’ hitless World Series had Brooklynites saying special prayers. But in his next four World Series, Hodges batted a combined .337 (31-for-92) with four home runs.
1977 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 2
“Mr. October’’ was crowned as Reggie Jackson blasted three home runs off three different pitchers in the Game 6 clincher at Yankee Stadium.
Yankee moment: This would be Martin’s only world championship as manager, and the first under George Steinbrenner’s ownership, ending a World Series title drought that began in ’63.
1978 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 2
Friction with Jackson and Steinbrenner, and the Yankees’ 14.5-game AL East deficit, led to Martin’s departure. The great comeback would be highlighted by Bucky Dent’s playoff homer at Boston.
Yankee moment: In a controversial play on the bases, Reggie Jackson seemed to intentionally interfere with a thrown ball, leading to a run in the Yankees’ pivotal Game 4 victory in 10 innings, knotting the Series.
1941 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 1
In their first Subway Series, with the Dodgers an out away from knotting it in Game 4, Brooklyn catcher Mickey Owen’s dropped third strike of a Hugh Casey pitch to Tommy Henrich (was it a spitball?) led to the Yankees’ winning four-run rally at Ebbets Field.
Yankee moment: This was the Yankees’ fifth world championship over the last six years.
1953 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 2
Billy Martin, a .333 hitter in five Yankees’ World Series, batted .500 (12-for-24) in this one, with a double, two triples and two homers.
Yankee moment: Martin’s one-out, game-winning ninth-inning RBI single off Clem Labine gave the Yankees Game 6 and the Series.
1981 World Series
Dodgers 4, Yankees 2
It was downhill for the Yanks after winning Games 1 and 2 at home, including Dave Winfield’s 1-for-22 Series, and Steinbrenner’s supposed elevator fight with two Dodgers fans.
Yankee moment: Steinbrenner issued a press release to “sincerely apologize’’ to Yankees fans for the team’s World Series performance.
1963 World Series
Dodgers 4, Yankees 0
In their sixth season since leaving for Los Angeles, the pitching dominant Dodgers handed the Yankees their first World Series sweep.
Dodger moment: Sandy Koufax won Games 1 and 4 (23 strikeouts) and the Yanks never led at any time in this Series.
1949 World Series
Yankees 4, Dodgers 1
Tommy Henrich becomes the first player to hit a walk-off World Series home run, winning Game 1, 1-0, with a leadoff shot in the ninth to wreck a great start by Don Newcombe.
Yankee moment: This was the first of five straight World Series titles for Casey Stengel’s Yankees.
