The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a dominant force in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, but surprisingly they have won only seven World Series championships. In this article, we will look at each of the Dodgers’ World Series wins, breaking them down by year.
1955
The Dodgers won their first World Series championship in 1955, defeating the New York Yankees. This was a significant win as the Yankees were a formidable opponent. If you had access to an online sportsbook at the time, you’d have probably bet against them, given that the Dodgers had lost to them in the World Series on five previous occasions. However, the Dodgers’ pitching staff and batters were at the top of their game, and they finally defeated their rivals to become World Series champions for the first time in team history.
1959
The Dodgers made it to the World Series again in 1959, facing off against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox had not won a World Series in nearly 50 years, and the Dodgers were looking to make up for their previous loss to the Yankees. Despite losing game one heavily, the Dodgers won the series in six games, with Chuck Essegian’s two pinch-hit home runs being the series’ highlight.
1963
In 1963, the Dodgers faced off against their long-time rival, the Yankees, again in the World Series. However, the Yankees were not as good as usual this time, and the Dodgers swept the series in four games. This championship win was less dramatic and more a showcase of Dodger dominance.
1965
Two years later, the Dodgers again made it to the World Series, facing off against the Minnesota Twins. Although the Dodgers were the favorites, the Twins managed to take them to game seven. The Dodgers managed to seal the championship with a 2-0 victory in the final game. Sandy Koufax’s heroic pitching performance, shutting out the Twins after just two days of rest, was an unforgettable and defining moment in his career.
1981
After losing four World Series titles between 1965 and 1981, the Dodgers made it to the final again, facing off against the Yankees. The Dodgers lost the first two games but managed to win games three, four, and five by narrow margins before decimating the Yankees in game six, winning 9-2. The Dodgers were on another level, and this victory was all the more impressive.
1988
Seven years later, the Dodgers again made it to the World Series, this time against the Oakland Athletics. The A’s were considered the best team of the past few decades, with hitters like Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. Many thought the Dodgers’ pitching staff would be destroyed, but after Kirk Gibson’s epic walk-off home run against Dennis Eckersley in Game #1, the Dodgers controlled the series. Orel Hershiser’s incredible pitching performance, with an ERA of 1.00 and 17 strikeouts in 18 innings, significantly contributed to the Dodgers’ victory as the A’s only managed to score ten runs in five games
2020
Between 1988 and 2020, the Dodgers made it to the World Series three times, once against the Astros in the infamous 2017 series, then against the Red Sox the following year. However, in 2020, they broke the losing streak and won their seventh World Series championship. They faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays and won in six games. Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers’ batting unit proved a formidable force, with Kershaw’s performance in game four, particularly memorable.
In conclusion, the Los Angeles Dodgers may have won only seven World Series championships, but each victory was a memorable moment in MLB history. From their first championship win in 1955 to their most recent win in 2020, the Dodgers have proven to be a force to be reckoned with on the field.
