Among all the days in the history of the universe, October 4, 1955 is unique.
On that day, unlike any other, the Brooklyn Dodgers became the World Series champions. Prior to 1955, the citizens of “America’s fourth largest city” celebrated their team’s winning the National League Pennant on seven occasions, only to see them defeated in the World Series, every single time.
Dodgers score in the 4th
The Dodgers game-seven triumph in 1955, was all the sweeter, because it came at the hands of their hated cross-town rivals, the New York Yankees. In 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953, the Dodgers won the right, to lose to the Yankees in the World Series. But on this day in Yankee Stadium, in the top of the fourth inning, Roy Campanella doubled to left field. He moved to third when Carl Furillo grounded out. Then Gil Hodges singled, scoring Campanella.
One more in the 6th
In the sixth inning the Dodgers “small balled” their way again to another run. (Pee Wee Reese singles, Duke Snider reaches on an error, successful sacrifice bunt by Campanella moves them to second and third, and Reese scores an unearned run off of Carl Furillo’s sac fly – sorry Carl, no RBI for you, but you get a World Series ring instead.)
That’s all she wrote.
The Dodgers starter Johnny Podres scattered eight hits, but only once did the Yankees even advance a runner to third base. In the eighth inning the Yanks had runners on first and third after a pair of singles by Phil Rizzuto and Gil McDougald, but Podres stranded them by striking out Hank Bauer.
Brooklyn couldn’t provide Podres with any more insurance runs, but he didn’t need them. In the bottom of the ninth, he retired the at-long-last vanquished Yankees, in order.
Musical video sums it up beutifully
Dream of 55 from Paul Hickey on Vimeo.
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