For a record 12th time in World Series history, the Dodgers and Yankees will battle it out for MLB supremacy. From Jackie Robinson’s daring steal of home in 1955 to Reggie Jackson’s 3-homer game in 1977, these matchups have given the sport a lifetime of October memories.
With superstars Aaron Judge,Mookie Betts, Giancarlo and Jazz Chisholm preparing to add their resumes to this legacy, we take a look back at the last time these teams met in the Fall Classic. To say the circumstances were different back in 1981 would be a huge understatement.
Player’s Strike Affected 1981 MLB Season
The players’ strike, which ran from June 12 to August 8, caused the season to be split into two halves. The first-place teams from each half in each division (or a wild card team if the same club won both halves, although this did not occur in any division), met in the best-of-five Division Series.
This division series was a one-time occasion. They did not implement the Division Series permanently until 1994. The four survivors would then move on to the two best-of-five League Championship Series.
The expanded playoffs led to Game 1 of the World Series being pushed back to October 20, the latest starting date for a Fall Classic up to that time. In the National League, the Dodgers led the NL West prior to the strike.
The Houston Astros, however, won the second-half division title. The Dodgers then defeated the Astros, three games to two, in the NLDS before beating the Montreal Expos, three games to two, in the NLCS.
In the AL, the Yankees, who led the East in the season’s first half, took on the Milwaukee Brewers, winners of the second half division title, in the ALDS. New York was victorious three games to two, then swept the Oakland A’s (with ex-New York skipper Billy Martin) in the ALCS.
Yankees vs. Dodgers Was A Regular Thing In 70s and Early 80s
When New York and Los Angeles got ready to battle, it was the third time in five seasons that the blue blood franchise were meeting in the Fall Classic. The Bronx Bombers had prevailed in the previous two meetings (1977 and 1978), both in six games.
The 1978 clash was the capper to one of New York’s most tumultuous seasons in Yankee history. The team overcame a 14-game deficit to their rivals in Boston and forced a one-game playoff for the division crown.
Behind homers by Reggie Jackson and Bucky “Bleeping” Dent, New York won 5-4 to advance to their third straight ALCS with the Kansas City Royals. The Yankees prevailed in four games setting up the rematch with the Dodgers.
Keeping with the comeback theme, New York would lose Games 1 and 2 in L.A. However, the Yankees would win four straight to take the series and win their 22nd World Series Championship completing “the greatest comeback ever” so said owner George Steinbrenner.
Blackest Yankees Team Ever?
By the time these two teams got together again in 1981, there were still a few players left over from the previous matchup. However, the makeup of each roster had gone through some tweaking. Especially the Yankees.
Dave Winfield holds jersey during press conference with Willie Randolph (L) and Reggie Jackson (R) when he joined the Yankees in 1981. (Photo by Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
While Jackson and All-Star second baseman Willie Randolph were still major contributors, several other MLBbros helped lead the Bronx Bombers to another playoff run. Veterans like 1B/DH Bob Watson, infielder Larry Milbourne, and outfielder Jerry Mumphrey were stalwarts during the regular season and postseason.
Two other contributors – pitcher Rudy May and outfielder Oscar Gamble – were back in pinstripes for the second time as well. However, the biggest change had come during the off-season when they signed former Padres All-Star outfielder Dave Winfield.
The team added Winfield’s huge contract ($21 million over 10 years) to an already strong lineup. The future Hall of Famer led the team with 68 RBIs during the strike-shortened season, but he would have his struggles in the Fall Classic.
Despite having Jackson out of the lineup (hamstring), New York would win Games 1 and 2 in the Bronx. After the Dodgers took Game 3 behind Fernando Valenzuela (RIP), Jackson returned in Game 4.
He went 3-for-3 including his 10th and final homer in World Series play, but it wasn’t enough as L.A. tied the series at 2-2 with an 8-7 win. The Dodgers also prevailed in Game 5 (2-1) to send the series back to New York up 3-2.
Randolph opened the scoring in Game 6 with a solo homer in the third inning. However, after the Dodgers tied it an inning later, they added three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
A throwing error by Winfield in the sixth led to the L.A. uprising. His throw typified his struggles in this, his first World Series. At the plate, he went 1-for-22 with one RBI. The Dodgers exacted revenge from 1978 by winning their first crown since 1965 and their first against New York since 1963.
LA Dodgers’ MLBbros On 1981 World Series Team
L.A. had their share of MLBbros on the 1981 roster as well. Longtime stalwarts like second baseman Davey Lopes as well as outfielders Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith. The roster also included utility players Ken Landreaux and Derrel Thomas as well as a young fireballer in the bullpen by the name of Dave Stewart.
After combining for ten division titles and eight World Series appearances between 1974 and 1981, the 1981 World Series marked the end of an era for both teams as they soon were without key contributors.
Reggie Jackson would leave the Bronx and sign with the then California Angels and help lead them to a Western Division crown. Smith and Lopes left L.A. through trades and free agency as well.
It’s been 44 long years since these two flagship MLB franchises met for all the marbles. They’ll meet again in the Fall Classic starting Friday night in Los Angeles.
Baseball is a game. However, the professional sport called Major League Baseball is a business. Moving professional teams away from their fanbase, no matter how loyal they are, is part of the dark side of it.
After 56 years, the Oakland A’s despite efforts they said fell short, announced in April of 2023 of the decision to move to Las Vegas.
An Era Is Over In Oakland: Las Vegas A’s?
With the final series starting this week along with the statement from the A’s, it is real.
“We are deeply grateful to Oakland for being home to the A’s for nearly 60 years. In that span, the team and its fans celebrated four World Series championships, served as home to seven American League MVPs, made countless lasting memories, and achieved a storied place in baseball history. After an earnest and unprecedented effort to bring a visionary ballpark to downtown Oakland, we were unable to reach a deal, and more importantly, secure a reliable path to a fully approved project.
We appreciate the community members, local leaders and staff who worked diligently to build a new home in Oakland and applaud the fans who passionately advocated for the team to stay. The A’s time in Oakland will always be a cherished part of this franchise’s history, and we carry that spirit forward on this journey to Sacramento and eventually to our new home in Las Vegas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout the years.”
To make things worse, with the stadium details in Vegas being worked out, the owners’ decision to move to Sacramento only angered fans and local media alike.
Sports reporter Larry Beil of KGO, the ABC affiliate, summed up the frustration of the situation thoroughly.
MLBbro.com could go on forever trying to cover all of the MLBbros that put on a uniform and added to the Oakland A’s legacy.
But here’s the ones that need to be honored.
Rickey Henderson:
When it comes to stolen bases, this MLBbro is the standard for which all players have to live up to. The end. Rickey Henderson is the stolen base king holding the record with 1,406. Since 1991 when he passed Lou Brock’s total of 938, the mere discussion of breaking Rickey’s record is non-existent.
The ten-time All-Star and 1990 AL MVP led the league in runs scored five times, in walks four times and in hits once. He hit .300 or better eight times and is in the 3,000 hit club. He played for multiple teams but his star shines brightest in Oakland while swiping bases. His single season record of 130 was in an A’s uniform.
Dave “Smoke” Stewart:
This brother was cold. His demeanor along with that mean look on the mound made him a household name. Along with the fact that he’s one of only 15 MLBbro pitchers to win 20 or more games in a season and he did it multiple times (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990).
MLBbro.com has covered Stewart’s progress to bring an MLB expansion team to Nashville. With the front office experience “Smoke” had that matched his pitching prowess, it’s sad that he couldn’t save the A’s for the Oakland faithful.
That’s not to say that an MLBbro legend didn’t try…
Reggie Jackson:
We could talk about the great things the MLBbro did on the baseball field to earn the nickname “Mr. October”. But the fact that Reggie Jackson actually had a group together to buy the Oakland A’s that included Bill Gates should be enough.
Reggie talked about it on Howard Stern’s radio show…
The group at the time was willing to pay $25 million more than the highest bidder. Despite promises from then MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, the team was sold to Lewis Wolff.
For this effort alone, this MLBbro is the most influential and loyal person ever attached to the Oakland A’s.
The Three Amigos, The MLBbro Big Three, The St. Louis Soul Patrol – whatever you want to call them. Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker and Victor Scott II are back in the bigs together, hoping to push St. Louis to a NL Wild Card berth.
Jordan “Sky” Waker Called Up
MLBbro Jordan “Sky” Walker was recently recalled by Da Lou with infielder Matt Carpenter being placed on the 10-day injured list with a lower-back strain.
When Walker began his St. Louis Cardinals career in 2023, he did it emphatically by matching the longest hit streak to begin an MLB career. Walker’s 12-game hitting streak tied a record held by Eddie Murphy, a player who began his career in 1912 with the Philadelphia Athletics.
Walker, just 22 years of age, had an exciting rookie season, batting .276 with 15 homers and 51 RBI, 113 OPS+ in 117 games). The phenom also added seven bases and slugged .445. His numbers would have been more impressive, and he could have given Corbin Carroll some better run for NL rookie of the Year award if the Cardinals didn’t send him down the first time, shortly after his rookie hit streak.
Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker and Victor Scott II Are Back Together In Bigs
The St. Louis Cardinals were a must-see on Opening Day as they started three young and rising MLBbros in Victor Scott, Jordan Walker and shortstop Masyn Winn started in the lineup.
Scott didn’t last long and was sent down to the minors in April. Walker got off to an horrendous start with 9 hits in 58 at-bats (.155) and 0 homers and he was sent down after 20 games.
That was undoubtedly a shocker to most, including his longtime friend Masyn Winn, who looked forward to road trips and sharing the MLB experience with Walker. While Walker had to humble himself and re-tool in the minors, Winn has ascended to one of the rising stars of the game.
The 22-year-old shortstop is batting .279 with 9 homers and 41 RBI and 10 steals. He’s also playing a dynamic shortstop and giving Cardinals fans great hope for the future. He’s living Walker’s 2023 season, without the organizational pressures of a position change and expectations of power.
Jordan Walker Makes Adjustments At The Plate
Walker wasn’t showing the “progression” the Cardinals were looking for so he remained in the minor leagues longer than we all hoped or expected.
According to reports, Walker is now starting out with a more open stance at the plate, a tweak that not only affords better vision and pitch-tracking, at least theoretically, but also forces Walker to “coil” more during his load phase and better tap into his substantial physical strength. While the sample size is quite small, the results coinciding with those changes have been impressive.
Walker is a great talent and his recent assault on minor league pitching in Memphis was enough for the Cardinals – who are 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for a Wild Card slot and in the bottom of the league in homers and RBI –to call Walker up for the stretch run.
Hitting the major leagues at age 21 isn’t easy and Walker looked pretty good at it despite lacking some mechanics that would eliminate his groundballs and increase elevation.
To put it simply, the Cardinals want him to hit more bro bombs and understandably so. He’s 6-foot-5 and has the potential to be a prolific slugger. He’s shown enough of that lately for Cardinals’ brass to bring Jordan “Sky” Walker back home to St. Louis, where he belongs.
Now the real fun can begin.
Victor Scott Showing A Liver Bat This Time Around
VS2 was recently called back up and he’s not wasting his opportunity, hitting his first career homer – a game-tying, two-run shot – and in another game, drilling a line-drive double down the right field line that gave the Cardinals a 6-5 lead in the 8th inning of a huge game against Kansas City.
As the Cardinals try to steal a Wild Card slot from the Braves and NY Mets, St. Louis’ MLBbro Big Three is back together again and might turn lemons to lemonade together in 2024. Who would of thunk it?
There are few moments in sports more exciting than a walk-off homer in baseball.
At one moment, the outcome of the contest is hanging in the balance. A moment later, it’s over.
In baseball history, few players have participated in a walk-off home run more dramatic than Joe Carter’s in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series.
The Toronto Blue Jays were up 3 games to 2 in the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies but trailing in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 6.
With runners on 1st and 2nd, Phillies reliever Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams threw a 2-2 fastball to Carter who deposited it over the left field wall for a 3-run home run.
One that walked it off for victory and delivered the city of Toronto it’s second straight World Series Championship.
The call is one for the ages.
Five years after Carter won the World Series, he played his last game, finishing his 16-year MLB career with 396 home runs and 1,445 RBI.
In 2004 he was eligible for the Hall of Fame on the baseball writer’s ballot but received just 19 votes, a 3.8% share that was just shy of the 5% minimum required to remain on future ballots.
Joseph Chris Carter player college ball at Wichita State, and was an RBI man long before he entered the majors, driving in a then NCAA record 120 runs in 1981.
Carter was selected by the Cubs second overall in the 1981 MLB Draft. He was considered a five-tool player, with power, speed and strong-arm (he was a quarterback in high school).
He hit 22 home runs, while stealing 40 bases at AAA Iowa. In 1984, the Cubs were considered contenders and dealt Carter to the Indians in a trade that brought eventual Cy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe to Chicago.
This would be the first of three times that Carter would be involved in mega-trades involving players of significance.
With stops in Chicago, Cleveland, San Diego, Toronto, Baltimore and San Francisco.
From 1984-1998 no player in MLB had more RBI than Carter’s (1444), with Cal Ripken a distant second (1319), followed by Eddie Murray (1220), Barry Bonds (1216) and Jose Canseco (1214).
So, Carter is ahead by a considerable amount. Carter was also 4th in home runs (behind 3 players linked to steroids), and 5th in doubles over those 15 years.
Durability played a huge role as Carter was definitely available on game day. He played in all but 65 games from ‘85 to ‘97.
If Carter were to ever get that call to the Hall, he’d join Bill Mazeroski, as the only two players to end the Fall Classic on a homer and be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Point blank Joseph Chris Carter was an “RBI Man.”
When it came to driving men in, he didn’t play cute. He simply got the job done as well as any run producer of his generation.
Hall of Fame? Maybe. There’s definitely players in Cooperstown that can’t hold his jock strap as a run producer. There are a few clearly better.
But less than a handful of them can claim to be as clutch as “Touch Em All Joe.”
LOS ANGELES – While New York loves to highlight its biggest and flashiest stars, two bros have been a pair of unsung heroes for arguably the hottest team in baseball.
Their names? Tyrone Taylor and D.J. Stewart.
These guys are pretty new to the Big Apple, as this is Taylor’s first year with the team and Stewart’s second.
Before being a part of the Mets, Taylor was drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Torrance High School in Southern California. He made his MLB debut for them back in 2019 and would be with the organization until the 2023 season before being traded to New York in December of last year. During his time in Milwaukee, he had a slashline of .239/.294/.451.
While Taylor has not been an everyday starter for the team and is more of a utility man, he is certainly making the most of his chances when given the opportunity. He’s only played two complete games in his last 10 big league appearances, but in that stretch, he’s batting .421, with one homer, seven RBI, two runs scored, and an OPS of .979.
In his first 14 games, he’s hitting .318, with 10 RBI and the one home run, as well as an on-base percentage of .354 and a slugging percentage of .432.
DJ Stewart AKA “The Big Stew”
Stewart played high school ball in Jacksonville Florida, and then spent two years playing college baseball for Florida State. He was drafted by the Orioles with the 25th overall pick and made his debut with the team in 2018. His final season in Baltimore was in 2022, where he slashed .213/.327/.400.
He then signed a minor league contract with the Mets for the 2023 season and was eventually elevated to the major league roster on July 4th. From that point forward, Stewart was balling. In 58 games, he had 11 home runs, 26 RBI, with a slashline of .244/.333.506. His play was so impressive that the team decided to bring him back on a one-year deal for 2024.
Stewart is off to an even better start to 2024. Although he’s not as consistent as Taylor, when he makes contact, look out.
Entering Monday night’s game, he had a .235 average, three home runs, 10 RBI, with an on-base percentage of .426 and a .559 slugging percentage.
Stewart has also been really hot in his last 10 appearances entering Monday, with a .320 average and an OPS of 1.246.
The Mets have had a very up-and-down start to the year, as they were 4-7 in their first 11 games, but have won eight of their last 11, sitting at 12-10 fighting to stay in the NL East mix.
Although they made the playoffs in 2022, New York finished way below expectations last season, with a sub-.500 record and missing the postseason. Last year proved for them that it won’t just be their stars that will elevate them from good to great, but it’s going to take everyone. If Taylor and Stewart can keep exceeding expectations, the Mets will be in good shape.
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