Special Sub-Topic: The 1955 World Series Click Here To Play: The 1955 World Series

In the 1955 World Series, the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated their nemesis, the New York Yankees, to win their first championship. How many times did the Dodgers lose to the Yankees in the World Series prior to 1955?

5. They lost to the Yankees in the World Series in 1941 (5 games), 1947 (7 games), 1949 (5 games), 1952 (7 games), and 1953 (6 games).

Who was the manager of the Dodgers in 1955?

Walter Alston. 1955 was the second of hall of famer Alston's 23 year tenure as Dodger manager. Durocher managed the Dodgers in the 1940s, Dressen managed the Dodgers in the early 50s, and Stengel was the Yankee manager.

The 1955 Dodgers became the first team to win a World Series despite what?

Trailing 2 games to 0. The 1955 Dodgers were the first team in history to win a World Series after losing the first two games. The 1925 Pirates were the first to win a series after trailing 3 games to 1. The Dodgers had one-20 game winner (Don Newcombe) and three regulars batted over .300 (Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Roy Campanella).

This Yankee pitcher had quite a day in the Yankees game two 4-2 victory. He drove in two runs with a base hit, and became the only left hander to pitch a complete game all year against the Dodgers.

Tommy Byrne. The 1955 Dodgers were usually very tough on left handers but they lost games 1 and 2 to lefties Whitey Ford and Tommy Byrne.

Trailing 2 games to 0, which Dodger pitcher helped get them back in the series by winning game three?

Johnny Podres. Podres won 8-3 and was helped by a Dodger offensive outburst that chased Yankee pitcher Bob Turley in the 2nd inning. Podres would later go on to lasting fame when he won game 7.

With the series tied 2-2, the Dodgers surprised everyone by starting which rookie pitcher, instead of staff ace Don Newcombe in game 5?

Roger Craig. Craig delivered by pitching 6 strong innings in the Dodgers 5-3 victory.

In the 1955 World Series, Duke Snider became the first player to ______ ?

hit 4 home runs in two different World Series. Snider hit four home runs in the 1952 World Series as well as in 1955. He was not a switch hitter, and he batted .320 in this series. Elmer Smith of the 1920 Indians hit the first grand slam in World Series history.

Who was the winning pitcher in game 7?

Johnny Podres. Podres earned the series MVP award by tossing a shoutout in the decisive game 7, winning 2-0.

The crucial moment of the series came in the sixth inning of game 7. With the Dodgers leading 2-0, the Yankees had runners on first and second when Yogi Berra hit a long fly ball into the left field corner. Who made a spectacular running catch to prevent a double and two runs?

Sandy Amoros. Amoros had just entered the game in the inning as a defensive replacement for Jim Gilliam. In addition to having great speed, Amoros threw left handed, so he was able to reach out and snag the ball with his right hand. A right handed thrower would have had to try to backhand the ball and probably would not have reached it.

The crucial moment of the series came in the sixth inning of game 7. With the Dodgers leading 2-0, the Yankees had runners on first and second when Yogi Berra hit a long fly ball into the left field corner. What Yankee baserunner was doubled off first base, thereby ending the inning?

Gil MacDougald. MacDougald was so sure the ball would drop, he took off from first base and was halfway between second and third when Amoros caught the ball. Amoros made a 360 degree turn and fired the ball to shortstop Pee Wee Reese, who then relayed it to Gil Hodges ahead of MacDougald's desperate attempt to make it back to first base.