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.
Major League Baseball made history on Thursday night, as the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals competed in the league’s first game at Rickwood Field. Built in 1910, Rickwood Field is the oldest existing professional ballpark and once served as home to the Negro League’s Birmingham Black Barons.
Prior to the start of Thursday’s contest, Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson recounted the racism he experienced during his time in Birmingham, Alabama and admitted that it was difficult to return to the historic ballpark. In 1967, before he advanced to the Majors, Jackson was one of the few Black players on the Birmingham A’s Double-A Southern League team. The team played at Rickwood Field until 1963.
Asked by Alex Rodriguez what the emotions are like to return to Rickwood Field, the 1973 AL MVP spoke of how challenging it was to travel to where his baseball career began.
“Coming back here is not easy,” Jackson said. “The racism when I played here, the difficulty of going through different places where we traveled. Fortunately, I had a manager and I had players on the team that helped me get through it. But I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”
Despite being well-received on the Black Barons, Jackson was often forbidden from restaurants and hotels where his white teammates were welcomed. “I’d walk into restaurants, and they would point at me and say, ‘the n—– can’t eat here.’ I would go to a hotel, and they say the n—– can’t stay here. We went to Charlie Finley’s country club for a welcome home dinner, and they pointed me out with the N word.”
Jackson’s retelling of his experiences highlighted America’s dark, segregated, and not-so-distant past. Born just two years before the integration of the U.S. military in 1948 and nearly 20 years before President Lyndon B. Johnson legally ended segregation with the Civil Rights Act, Jackson, 78, lived through one of the nation’s cruelest periods. Despite his talent, the baseball legend was constantly antagonized and rebuked during his time in the Minors.
Although he was a victim of severe racism, especially in the South, Jackson was grateful to have a manager that was willing to stand up for equality. During Fox’s broadcast on Thursday, Jackson spoke about his AA manager, Johnny McNamara, who managed him in Birmingham and came up to manage the major league A’s in 1969, reuniting with Jackson for the end of 1969 and the 1970 season: “Fortunately, I had a manager in Johnny McNamara that if I couldn’t eat in the place, nobody could eat,” Jackson said. “We’d get food to travel. If I couldn’t stay in the hotel, they’d drive to the next hotel and find a place where I could stay.”
In addition to McNamara, Jackson named Rollie Fingers, Dave Duncan, and Joe Rudi along with his wife, Sharon, as figures that defended him and helped him navigate such trying times. Jackson spoke of how, for a few weeks, he would spend several nights a week on the Rudis’ couch. He only left once there were threats made of burning the Rudis’ apartment complex down if Jackson continued lodging there. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. At the same time, had it not been for my white friends, had it not been for a white manager… I would have never made it. I was too physically violent; I was ready to physically fight someone. I’d have gotten killed here because I’d have beat someone’s a–, and you’d have saw me in an oak tree somewhere.”
Thankfully, Jackson was able to suppress his anger and avoid any fatal racist encounters. Following his days in Birmingham, the talented outfielder carved out a legendary career in the Majors. The hard-hitting lefty was the driving force behind five World Series title teams – including a three-peat with the Oakland Athletics. During the 1977 World Series, as a member of the Yankees, Jackson earned the nickname “Mr. October” after launching five home runs against the Dodgers.
Jackson’s crowning achievement came with his three-home-run performance in World Series-clinching Game Six — each on the first pitch — off three Dodgers pitchers. His heroic performance earned him the 1977 World Series MVP, thus making him the first player to win World Series MVP on multiple teams. Jackson, the 1973 AL MVP, was also the first Major Leaguer to hit 100 home runs for three different franchises as he later went on to play for the California (now Los Angeles) Angels.
Though it may seem easy to look at Jackson’s achievements as a story of triumph, the racism-riddled road toward his goals should not be overlooked. Instead, they should be a reminder to all that America is not without its flaws and still has a long way to go. “People asked me today and said, ‘Do you think you’re a better person? Do you think you won when you played here and conquered?’ I said, ‘You know, I would never want to do it again.’”
Major League Baseball re-enters the “Must-see TV” realm this weekend when the New York Yankees face the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time this season. This series is definitely an early season preview to a potential World Series showdown in October. It definitely has the star power. Not only are MLBbros Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts the headliners, but they have superstar tag team partners in Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani as well.
While the Dodgers have the largest lead in their division at eight games, the Yankees are the class of professional baseball. After sweeping the Minnesota Twins for the ENTIRE SEASON, the Yanks are riding an eight-game winning streak and are only percentage points behind the Phillies for the best record in the game.
This rivalry is old, but not as old as the mystique of the New York Yankees championship pedigree that is evident with the superstars, the managers and most importantly the history… 27 World Series championships. But their success on the baseball diamond didn’t match the headlines around their off-field drama through the ‘70s which kind of rekindled in the ‘90s.
The George Steinbrenner/Billy Martin feud with the constant hiring and firing.
The Reggie Jackson era where his “Mr. October” legacy was born and lives to this day. Like the man has his own candy bar!
The jealousy of fans of other teams watching the stars either pine to the big stage in pinstripes or getting there and obtaining their dreams of attention and money!
Then there’s the World Series dominance over the Dodgers going back to the Brooklyn days!
It’s no secret that Yankees paraphernalia has been an easy sell over the years. Even casual sports fans have a Yankees hat in their collection. But with the combination of having possibly the top three power hitters in the game in Juan Soto and MLBbros Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the New York Yankees could be building their next dynasty.
But this team is more than big bats as Alex Rodriguez discusses here.
This is no longer a team that depends on power and three-run homers to demoralize opponents. The Yankees have improved almost every aspect of not only their offense but their defense and pitching as well. When this week started, the Bronx Bombers led the majors in four vital categories: OPS, ERA, homers and winning percentage.
Major League Baseball needs casual fans to join the party and the Yankees can be the catalyst. With Aaron Judge dominating the news cycle breaking the American League home run record a couple of seasons back, he is the reminder to fans to tune into every Yankees game on television to see what the hype is about.
But if the Yankees build their dynasty, this might be more like the MLBbro icon Reggie Jackson-led Yankees in the late ‘70s than the Derek Jeter-led ‘90s dynasty. Why? Reggie’s teams were just powerful and built their identity around home runs. Even though those teams were well-rounded, the big bats made the headlines. It was how those Yankees teams were winning that captured the attention of the sports world.
But there are sports fans that don’t root for Goliath; they want to see him fall. Which is how baseball gets to pop culture.
If the Yankees continue this run for the next few years, the only baseball fans that enjoy it will be in the Bronx. The rest will root for their demise. That’s something Major League Baseball is missing that other sports own and make bank off of.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers with the ultimate lightning rod in LeBron James
NFL: It used to be the New England Patriots with Tom Brady, now it’s the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes
WNBA: Unless you have been under a rock… Caitlyn Clark in just a few games!
Naming the Yankees a potential dynasty before they’ve even won one championship may be conceived as putting the cart before the horse, but this series against the Dodgers is the start of the media hype. The ingredients are already there: The best player. The best team. The top media market in America.
Now we get to watch and see how long it takes for the Yankees to get their old enemies back!
LOS ANGELES – Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. This group of New York Yankees MLBbros is getting remembered for heroics that have made them legends forever.
Dave Winfield was honored on April 24th in New York for his incredible accomplishments while wearing the pinstripes with a mural a few blocks away from Yankee Stadium.
The mural, titled “Exhibiting Possibilities: Legendary Yankees” was collaborated by The Bronx Children’s Museum, The Players Alliance, the Yankees and Bronx Terminal Market in order to feature historically great Yankee Black baseball players.
Congratulations to Dave Winfield, Aaron Judge, CC Sabathia, Willie Randolph, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter on their inclusion in the “Legendary Yankees” mural in the Bronx.
In a collaboration between the Players Alliance and the Bronx Children’s Museum, this vibrant mural by… pic.twitter.com/AzqnunBvgA
“It’s a special honor. I have a legacy, a history, a relationship with the Bronx, New York and baseball. When they told me that they wanted to do this exhibit and that I would be a part of it, it’s very special.” Winfield had to say.
The mural includes five other Yankee MLBbro legends throughout the team’s history, including Reggie Jackson, Willie Randolph C.C. Sabathia, Derek Jeter, and Aaron Judge.
“We hope that every boy or girl that sees these murals will have their own dreams of greatness on the field and, more importantly, in their communities. We will continue to support the storytelling of excellence surrounding the Black players in our game, and we look forward to continuing to honor our history, particularly our history of Black players,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said during the unveiling of the mural.
Winfield played for the Yankees from 1981-1990, where he was an All-Star for all but the last two seasons of his stint in the Bronx. He also won five Gold Gloves and five Silver Sluggers in that decade.
His first eight seasons of his career were spent in San Diego playing for the Padres, where he is also a member of the team’s Hall of Fame and has his No. 31 retired. He also played for the Angels, Blue Jays, Twins, and Indians, and was later inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility. He was inducted as the first Padre player ever in Cooperstown.
Even with the unforgettable accomplishments he had in his first 18 seasons with the Padres and Yankees, Winfield didn’t win a World Series title until 1992, in his one year with Toronto, when he was 40.
During his one season there, he hit the game-winning two-run double in the 11th inning of Game 6 of the World Series that clinched the title, forever earning him the nickname “Mr. Jay.”
Over the course of his career, he batted .283, with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI, a career on-base percentage of .353, and a slugging percentage of .475. He also has 3,110 career hits, which is 23rd all time. He was a 12-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner, and a six-time Silver Slugger award winner throughout the entirety of his playing career.
One of three athletes ever to be drafted in four different leagues, there was truly no one like The Wave. His consistent productivity throughout each stage of his career, plus everything he’s done post-retirement for his community and the game of baseball, truly makes him one of one.
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