Special Sub-Topic: 1963 World Series: Yankees / Dodgers Click Here To Play: 1963 World Series: Yankees / Dodgers

Which famous retired player threw out the honorary pitch to launch the 1963 World Series?

Stan Musial. Musial was the only non-Yankee listed as he spent his 20+ seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He threw out the first pitch while sitting in the stands beside Yankee Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, and threw the ceremonial pitch to Yankee catcher Elston Howard.

Which two pitchers started this World Series head-to-head in game one?

Whitey Ford vs Sandy Koufax. It was Whitey Ford's season record of 24-7 against Sandy Koufax's record of 25-5. Although Ford led the American League with 24 wins, Koufax of the National League with the Dodgers won the NL MVP, the Cy Young award, and the Triple Crown. Koufax went on to win the 1963 World Series MVP award in the Dodgers' skunking of the Yankees also.

The Dodgers pitcher began game one in Yankee Stadium by doing which of the following in the first inning?

Struck out the side. Sandy Koufax started off the series in style by striking out Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson, and Tom Tresh. Koufax struck out nine batters in the first four innings in the game.

Who scored the first run of the 1963 World Series?

Frank Howard. After hitting the top of the centerfield wall in the second inning for a double, Howard then scored on a single by ex-Yankee great, Bill "Moose" Skowron. The Dodgers went on to win game one, 5-2.

Who hit the first home run in the 1963 World Series?

John Roseboro. There were only five home runs hit in the series, and Roseboro's was the first in game one of the Dodgers' four-run second inning. Other than the Dodgers' catcher Roseboro, Frank Howard and Bill Skowron hit them for Los Angeles, then Mickey Mantle and Tom Tresh hit the other two for the Yankees. The Dodgers took game one 5-2.

In a pivotal game one situation, the Yankees had the bases loaded in the fifth inning with two outs. Which pinch-hitter who was batting for pitcher Whitey Ford, struck out to end the inning?

Hector Lopez. Lopez was another victim of the Dodgers' Koufax. Lopez had two hits it the series, and both were doubles. It was Hector's fourth of five World Series appearances, with a career .286 WS batting average.

In the 1963 World Series, which Yankee was a Dodgers' 15th strikeout victim, setting a new World Series game record?

Harry Bright. This happened in game one of the series. Koufax went 25-5 in the season with 306 strikeouts, then added another 15 in game one, with Harry Bright being the record victim. The Dodgers won game one, 5-2.

In game two of the series, the Dodgers picked up where they left off in game one. Who led off the game on the first pitch with a single to centerfield?

Maury Wills. Game two was played at Yankee Stadium as was game one which the Dodgers won by a score of 5-2. The shortstop Wills, hit the first pitch off Yankee pitcher Al Downing in the first inning. The following batter was Jim Gilliam who scored Wills, then a double by Willie Davis scored Gilliam. The Yankees stuck with Al Downing into the sixth inning before being yanked by reliever Ralph Terry. The Dodgers went on to win game two, 4-1.

Which player in game two of the 1963 World Series, tied a series record for hitting two triples in one game?

Tommy Davis. His first triple was costly for the Yankees in the third inning when right fielder Roger Maris slammed into the wall while trying to retrieve Tommy's shot. Davis tied the record of Lou Gehrig who hit two triples in game three of the 1927 World Series with the Yankees.

In game four of the series, Frank Howard started off the scoring drive for the Dodgers by hitting a fifth inning home run. Which player hit a seventh inning home run which tied him with the immortal Babe Ruth for 15 World Series career home runs?

Mickey Mantle. Amongst Mantle's 536 regular season home runs were 18 World Series home runs in 12 series appearances. Ruth hit 15 home runs in 10 World Series appearances. In an amazing pitching battle in game four, both pitchers Whitey Ford and Sandy Koufax never waivered in the game. Ford pitched a two-hitter while Koufax threw a six-hitter in the Dodgers' 2-1 win, thus giving Los Angeles the 1963 World Series crown.