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What were the best Yankees-Dodgers World Series matchups of all time? We rank all 11 here

Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com
·4 min read
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LOS ANGELES – They’ve met a record 11 times as World Series opponents, but the New York Yankees and the current NL West-leading Los Angeles 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 my 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 outs 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

FILE- In this Oct. 8, 1956, file photo, New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra is embraced by pitcher Don Larsen as he leaps into Larsen's arms at the end of Game 5 of baseball's World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers at New York's Yankee Stadium. Larsen pitched a perfect game. The jersey worn by Larsen when he pitched the only perfect game in World Series history will soon be available for auction by Steiner Sports Memorabilia who will run the auction October through December 2012. (AP Photo, File)

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.

'It Ain't Over': Yogi Berra documentary captures Yankee legend's life in New Jersey and beyond

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

New York Yankees' Reggie Jackson blasts home run No. 3 during the sixth and final game of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 18, 1977. (AP Photo)
New York Yankees' Reggie Jackson blasts home run No. 3 during the sixth and final game of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on Oct. 18, 1977. (AP Photo)

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

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda argues with umpire Frank Pulli on a controversial play in seventh inning of a World Series game with Yankees in New York, Saturday, Oct. 14, 1978. Lasorda argued possible interference by Yanks' Reggie Jackson on a throw to first. At right is Dodgers Reggie Smith. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda argues with umpire Frank Pulli on a controversial play in seventh inning of a World Series game with Yankees in New York, Saturday, Oct. 14, 1978. Lasorda argued possible interference by Yanks' Reggie Jackson on a throw to first. At right is Dodgers Reggie Smith. (AP Photo)

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, 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

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner speaks with the press outside his office in Yankee Stadium in New York, Thursday, Oct. 29, 1981. Steinbrenner issued a public apology to the people of New York and to Yankee fans everywhere for the performance of the Yankee team in the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Yankees 9-2 on Wednesday to claim their first World Series title since 1965. (AP Photo/Lederhandler)

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.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees vs. Dodgers: Best World Series matchups in history