Over the years you’ve told us many a tale about a rivalry between the North and the South…The tales have brought joy and heartbreak to both sides of our proud state. It was up north on the final day of the 1982 season where I got my first taste of this classic rivalry…
(Vin Scully with Giants broadcasters, L-R, Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow, Jon MIller and Dave Flemming, 8/25/2016 via Jon Miller)
The stories over the years are countless. They resonate beyond Dodgers fans…Giants fans…baseball fans all over…
Yup. It’s hard to believe that in the 67 years you’ve told your tales, 37 of them that I’ve had the pleasure to listen to, everything has come full circle…
Drei’s 2 Favorite Dodgers-Giants Moments From Vin…
Like many of you, I have my share of more than just 2 Vin Scully moments involving the Good ( Dodgers ) and The Bad ( Giants )…Moments that I was there for…
2. October 3, 1993…103 Wins and Not a Scene In The Bay…
Just like 1982, the Giants had to win the final game of the season to force a one-game playoff against the Braves for the NL West crown. The Dodgers, particularly 1993 NL Rookie of the Year Mike Piazza, had other ideas…
The Dodgers would torch the Giants 12-1, leaving the hated ones one game behind the Braves. 1993 would be the last year of the pre Wild Card era. In spite of having baseball’s 2nd best record in 1993, the Jints we’re nowhere to be seen in late October, much to the delight of this fan, and the dismay of those who made the long trek down I-5, only to make the longer trek back home…( Perhaps that’s what Nancy Bea meant when she serenaded our visitors with Do You Know The Way to San Jose…).
1. October 2, 2004…Wherever It Lands…
The Giants, 2 back of The Blue with 2 to play, carried a 3-0 lead into the home 9th. The Dodgers would rally to tie, then Steve Finley slammed his way into Dodger Blue lore…
The slam would give the Dodgers their first division title in 9 years. The hated ones would be knocked out of post-season play the next day…
It really hasn’t set in yet that this weekend is your final curtain call. It’s quite fitting that your final call comes with these two storied rivals on the field…The Dodgers and the Giants…One getting ready for a post-season run…One fighting for a post-season run..Yet it was you (And Joe Morgan, ironically Jon Miller’s longtime EPSN Sunday Night Baseball partner…) introduced this kid to the Dodgers-Giants rivalry…
Extra Innings…A Sunday Tale…From The LFP…With Kid N Drei…
Kid: Drei, I’m gonna miss Vin more than I’ll miss Kobe…
The Giants have just completed a rough 1-7 road trip coming off the All Star Break. Though the Dodgers have seen a couple of blown opportunities along the way, with a win tonight they can come within 3 games of the hated ones. Both teams return home tomorrow night, with the Dodgers welcoming in the Rays for 3 and the DBacks next weekend. Opportunity could still be knocking for The Blue….
Ken Griffey Jr. in left field during his last appearance at Dodger Stadium, 6/28/2009
OK. So it might seem like a diss toward Mike Piazza that I would not make first mention of his HOF feat. I’m not even disturbed that he didn’t leave the Dodgers on the best of terms. As fans, we all tend to forget that sports is no different from any other business. Players come and go. Emotions are displayed, but often times, time heals all wounds, or does it ?
Mike Piazza in Dodger Blue
It’s practically been 18 years since Piazza’s bitter departure from Chavez Ravine. A high school senior was entering planet earth. You’d think 18 years and two ownership changes later, as well as his continued accolades with the Mets would be more than enough time to bury the hatchet. Dodger fans were not to thrilled about his departure either.
“If the Hall came to me and said, ‘We want you to go in as a Dodger,’ I’d say, ‘Well, then I’ll go in as nothing,'” Piazza wrote. “I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with LA stamped on my head for all of eternity.”
I am a firm believer that, in spite the anger and bitterness displayed by the one-time Dodger catcher, Dodger fans want to go back to truly embracing him. If only Piazza would just let it go. Heck, one of my favorite moments as a Dodger fan involved Piazza, on the final game of the 1993 season. In his recent biography, he blames good old Vinny for having the fans turn on him. ( Perhaps this further establishes the theory Vin Scully is God around Chavez Ravine…).
Piazza is entitled to his opinion. It’s been 18 years. I really don’t have a problem with him entering the HOF as a Met. Most baseball fans today more likely remember his feats in the Blue, Black and Orange. In some ways, that would be like Shaq entering the HOF as an Orlando Magic. Heck, Shaq wasn’t exactly welcomed back in Orlando with open arms right away in his days donning the Purple and Gold, but he is still welcomed back where his NBA career started.
Mike’s accomplishments are deserving of a permanent place in Cooperstown. Let’s not deny that. Perhaps some day Mike will put aside his bitterness toward the Dodgers and perhaps some day we will have a place inside Chavez Ravine’s hallowed walls to honor the greatest hitting catcher of all-time, in the place where it all started for him. Until then… Oh yeah, Congrats Mike…
From The First Base Dugout…
Now this is entering the Hall With Class. I really believe if Ken Griffey Jr. had injuries not slowed him down, Kenny Grif would be holding the all-time home run record. Be it in a Mariners or Reds uni he was always a joy to watch. He always looked like he was having fun, the way the game is supposed to be. Oh yeah, thanks for waving at us back in ’09 Junior ! A true class act…
1993.Not exactly a memorable season for the Blue. The 1993 Dodgers would finish at .500 , 81-81, an 18 game improvement from 1992’s 63-99 showing, their worst in L.A. franchise history and the first ( and LAST ) time the Dodgers would finish in last place since 1905. The 1993 season would mark Barry Bond’s first season with the hated ones after 7 seasons in Pittsburgh, with his final moment in a Bucs uniform coming in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS as he was unable to throw out the speedster Sid Bream. As the Braves would continue their yearly post-season run that would last until 2005 ( In the process dulling their fan base ) , the Pirates would go into a20 year tailspin .
In the meantime, the 1993 season would be the last season for baseball’s 2 division format. That meant that even if you we’re baseball’s 2nd best team, if you we’re 2nd best in your division as well, that meant no October baseball. Imagine a team winning 103 games and missing out on post-season play ? Under today’s 2 team wild card format, that would be all but impossible today.
However, in 1993, one team that would win 103 games was on the outside looking in. Yup, it was the San Francisco Giants. Heading into the seasons final four games at Dodger Stadium, the NL West would come down between the Giants and the Atlanta Braves before divisional re-alignment took place . ( The baseball lords finally got their geography right. When division play started in 1969, the Cubs and Cardinals we’re placed in the NL East, while the Reds and Braves we’re placed in the NL West ) . The Giants, led by first year manager and former Dodger Dusty Baker, started the season hot behind the huge off-season acquisition of Barry Bonds. The Giants had lead the NL West by as many as 9 games ( Sound familiar Dodger fans ? ) as late as July. The Braves, coming off back to back NL pennants, we’re to good to fold and would eventually take over 1st place in the NL West. The Giants would right themselves and after taking the first 3 games of the seasons final four at Chavez Ravine, the Braves and Giants would find themselves tied for the NL West lead heading into their final games of the season. Some have called the 1993 NL West race the The Last Real Race. In the context of today’s wild-card format, a true argument can be made of that.
So now, let Drei here take you back to that final game of the 1993 season . October 3, 1993. Earlier in the day, the Braves had defeated the first year expansion Colorado Rockies to ensure they would be playing at least one more game. The Braves win would force the Giants into a win or go home situation, 103 wins and all. Win, and the Braves and Giants play a one-game playoff the next evening at Candlestick Park to determine the NL West winner. Lose, and the Giants, 103 wins and all, like the other 24 teams, start an early winter .
As for Drei here, I was long aware of the fact this game meant nothing in the standings. But for Drei and the many blue clad fans in the southland that day, this game WAS our World Series. For the old-schoolers, this was to ease the pain of ’51 and ’62. For us baby boomers of the early 90s, this was to ease the pain of Joe Morgan’s home run in 1982and Will Clark’s boastfulness in 1991. Would there be any dramatic finishes to this 1993 finale between The Blue and the Hated Ones ? Hardly…
On this day, it would be the Dodgers who would do more than play the role of spoilers. Backed by 2 home runs by Mike Piazza, who would win the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year honors, it would be the Dodgers driving a stake into the hearts of San Francisco, breaking many hearts in The City By The Bay. Division re-alignment and the addition of the Central Division in both leagues would occur the following season in 1994, as well as the Wild Card format. But on this day in 1993, the 103 win Giants squad would spend the post-season like the other 24 teams, watching the post-season, much to the delight of this then 19 year old fan. Many a Giants fans heart would be left broken… In San Francisco…. ( Is it too obvious a Dodgers fan is writing this ?) Of course our stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley would be proud to remind the folks of Northern California as she would serenade everyone with Tony Bennet’s classic tune after the game’s final out…
Piazza being greeted at home by Tim Wallach after crushing his second home run of the game that would knock the 103 win Giants team out of the playoffs
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT
A BIG HAPPY 30TH to The Bison !!! Was it 2 months ago that many of you out there had a Love/Hate Relationship with Matt? Nothing like a great 2nd half run to quiet all doubters huh ? As we head toward the post-season, I’ll say it once more. This is STILL your team Matt !!! Time for The Bison to take charge ! HAPPY 30TH Matt !!!
2 games is all that separates the 2 longtime rivals, who will meet 6 times during the Dodgers remaining 16 games. If the good lords of baseball have their way, we will see more from these 2 come October. The Giants hold a slight edge over the Dodgers 7 games to 6 heading into this weekends series, however, in games that Ryu, Greinke, and Kershaw have pitched, the Dodgers hold a commanding 6-2 edge over the hated ones, including their more recent 3 game sweep at AT&T park in late July , when Mattingly set up the rotation as he has for this weekend with the big 3. The Giants are a different team this time around than they we’re in late July, a fact not lost among the Bay Area locals . Here’s a recap of how the two have fared against each other leading up to this weekends Battle By The Bay…
April , Giants Take Two of Three in Both Series
In the series opener at Dodger Stadium, the Giants we’re clearly the dominant team in taking 2 of 3 here in L.A. before Zack Greinke and company would take the 3rd game. In the previous 2 games, the Giants had outscored the Dodgers 15-6. In the 2nd meeting between these 2 up north, pitching would dominate the series as each game was decided by 1 run, with neither team scoring more than 3 in any of the 3 games .
May, Giants Continue Their Roll at Dodger Stadium
In taking 3 of 4 from the Dodgers , the Giants would send notice that if the Dodgers are going to win the NL West, it would not be a runaway. It should be noted, however, that 2 of the 3 wins came in extra innings . Just in case anyone thought the rivalry was dead …
July, A Blue Fog Sweeps Through The Bay
With Don Mattingly setting up his rotation of Greinke, Kershaw and Ryu much like he has for this weekend, only this time around it will be Ryu, Greinke and Kershaw, the Dodgers would be the ones doing the heavy lifting, sweeping the 3 game series at AT&T Park by a combined score of 17-4 . The Dodgers would leave AT&T Park with a 1.5 game lead, a lead that was as big as 5.5 games. However, as we all know, baseball is a marathon, and at any point in the season, any team can go into a slump. Right now, both teams carry a bit of momentum into this huge 3 game series.
Down Memory Lane With Dre…
1982
Trailing the Atlanta Braves by one game going into the final game of the season, the Dodgers would not only have to beat the Giants at Candlestick Park, but would need for the Braves to lose their season finale to the Padres down south. Well, one of the two would happen. Unfortunately, Joe Morgan would foil any plans for a Dodger repeat of their 1981 glory, as he would belt a Terry Forster 1-2 fastball over the right field fence, setting off a frenzy at Candlestick as the Dodgers would lose to the hated ones 5-3, finishing one game behind the Braves for the NL West title.
Joe Morgan being greeted by Jack Clark after derailing any hopes of a Dodger repeat as a dejected Terry Forster stares out toward right field. 3 years after this moment, it would be Jack Clarks turn to break this writers heart.
To my fellow Boys of Summer, Kid Marly Marlz ( Yup, he’s baaaaack again as usual folks…) and Jose. Yeah, I see how it goes since you two either we’re not around or still in the crib as Viejo Dre here was going through 2 of his more traumatic moment’s in his childhood day’s as a Dodger fan ( Pleas excuse Dre’s do-rag folks…) The dude behind us probably I’m sure has experienced more heartbreak…
1991
Once again, heading into the final weekend at Candlestick, with the Dodgers tied for first in the NL West with the Braves, this time it would be Will Clark who would get in the way of the Dodgers playing October baseball as the Dodgers would once again finish one game behind the Braves for the NL West crown . Of course Will Clark would take great joy in this .
1993
In the final division race before the wild-card, the Giants, having already won 103 games, would need to beat the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium to set up a one game playoff with the Braves at Candlestick Park for the NL West crown. This time, it would be The Boys in Blue who would knock the hated one’s out of October baseball as Mike Piazza would crush 2 home runs en route to his 1993 ROY Award , sending the hated one’s packing after a 11-1 shellacking.
Mike Piazza being greeted at home plate by Tim Wallach after smashing his 2nd home run of the final game of 1993, in which the Dodgers would knock the 103 win Giants out of the playoffs
Oh yeah, Dre here would enjoy every moment of this . Another memory from that final game of 1993, among othermemorable Dodgers/Giants moments, is of Nancy Bea serenating the hated ones during the 6th inning, with Georgia on My Mind ( In reference to the Braves ), Do You Know the Way to San Jose in the 8th, and finally , after the game, I Left My Heart, In San Francisco .
Me with Nancy Bea . Tothis day you sure know how to pick a tune…
So what memories lie ahead of us as these two longtime rivals go at it in The Wild Wild West. It’s time to paint the bay…BLUE !!!!
Re-blogged from last season. It is 26 years now since Chavez Ravine has hosted a World Series. Here’s a recap of each season, part 1, from 1989 to 1999
On the eve of the 109th World Series will mark 25 years now since the Dodgers won their last World Series title, let alone appear in one. While I enjoy telling stories what it was like being a fan experiencing the Dodgers triumph in 1988, explaining the feeling to the fans who have potentially graduated college in the last 4 years certainly is not making me feel any younger. Now that I have all but let it out that i’m up there in years, lol, let’s now look back on the last 25 years, first with the 90’s, with it’s highs and lows. And let’s hope by this time next year i’m writing a piece about The Boys in Blue in the World Series. But first…
OK. Let’s look back upon the last 25 years of non World Series years
1989 77-83 4th Place
Despite leading the NL with a team ERA of 2.95, the last time anyone finished the season with a team ERA below 3.00, the Dodgers, one season after shocking the world, would finish in 4th place 14 games behind the Giants. So anemic was the offense that Orel Hershiser, despite winning 15 games with an ERA of 2.31, would also lose 15 as well , finishing the season with a .500 mark.
So the 80’s finished on a down note. However, the Dodgers was still a strong decade for the Boys in Blue, winning two World Championships (1981 and 1988), four National League Western Division titles (1981, 1983, 1985 and 1988) and 825 games, tying them with the St. Louis Cardinals for most victories by a National League team during the decade. The 80’s was also a strong decade in L.A. sports as well. Between the Dodgers 2 titles, the Lakers 5 titles, and the Raiders lone Super Bowl in 1983 9 This is a 49ERS fan acknowledging this), 8 championship titles we’re won for the great city of Los Angeles. Oh yeah, let’s also not forget the 1984 Olympics, with baseball debuting as an olympic sport here, played at, of course, Dodger Stadium. Those we’re some fun times as a sports fan in the 80’s. The 90’s certainly look promising, right ? One last look of the 80’s
The 90’s
The United States enacts Operation Desert Storm, destroying the Iraqi army and ending the Gulf War in a few short weeks. A video is released of driver Rodney King being beaten by L.A. police officers following a traffic stop, igniting a national controversy. Bill Clinton is elected the 42nd president of the United States. Magic Johnson announces his retirement from the NBA after contracting the HIV Virus ( What’s Magic up to these days ? ). In the meantime, on the field…
1990 86-76 2nd Place
Even without Orel Hershiser for much of the season due to shoulder surgery and an injury plagued Kirk Gibson a mere cry from his 1988 season, the Dodgers would finish 5 games behind the eventual World Champion Cincinatti Reds. This would also be the last season for Fernando Valenzuela in a Dodger uniform, as he would be released prior to the 1991 season.
1991 93-79 2nd Place
Hometown product Darryl Strawberry, who put up big numbers in his eight stormy seasons with the New York Mets, would be signed in the off-season for a then whopping 5 years, $20.25 million dollars. After a slow start, Strawberry would lead the team in both home runs (27) and RBI’s (100) In spite of a strong 20-8 finish to the season, the Dodgers would finish 1 game behind the upstart Atlanta Braves for the NL West crown.
1992 63-99 6th Place
Eric Davis, the one time Cincinatti Reds outfielder, would team up with childhood buddy Darryl Strawberry in the outfield. However, both Strawberry and Davis would miss much of 1992 and the Dodgers, for the first time since 1905, would finish the season in last place
1993 81-81 3rd Place
In the final season before the current 3 division alignment, the Dodgers would improve upon their 1992 performance by 18 games. Though they would miss out on the post season , the second of 5 consecutive Rookie of the Year winners would don the Dodger Blue as Mike Piazza , with 35 home runs and 112 rbi’s, would take home the prize, Eric Karros winning the award in 1992. 1993 also marked the final season a 100 plus win team would miss out on post-season play as the Dodgers, on the final game of the season, highlighted by Rookie of the Year winner Mike Piazza’s 2 home runs, would knock out the Giants 12-1, leaving the Giants 1 game behind the Atlanta Braves for the NL West crown ( Yup, I was at that game folks ). The following season would be the year divisional re-alingment would take place as well as the wild card. From 1969-1993, only the division winners qualified for the LCS. So yeah, had the wild card been in effect in 1993, the Giants would have easily made the post season. Bummer huh ? ( In my sarcastic voice, LOL ) Mike Piazza being greeted by future 3rd base coach Tim Wallach after belting one of two home runs to knock the Giants out of the playoffs
1994 58-56, 1st Place *
In the first year of 3 division aligment, the Dodgers would finish in 1st place, and yes, that is an asterisk next to the feat, if one can consider being 2 games over .500 one. That is because in August, a bitter labor dispute between the players and owners would lead to the cancelation of the remainder of the 1994 season and wipe out post-season and World Series play altogether. Raul Mondesi would win the 3rd of 5 consecutive Dodger Rookie of the Year Awards. Darryl Strawberry, with his countless off the field problems during his time in L.A, would be released prior to the season.
1995 78-66, 1st Place
One year after the strike had put a black eye on Major League Baseball, in a 144 game season due to the previous season’s strike that carried over into 1995, the Dodgers would capture the NL West by one game over the Colorado Rockies 3 years into their existence. Hideo Nomo, The Tornadoe, would win the NL Rookie of the Year. In the first official League Division Series, not counting 1981’s ” intra-division playoffs “, the Dodgers would be swept in 3 straight by the NL Central Champion Cincinatti Reds.
1996 90-72 2nd Place, Wild Card
Tommy Lasorda, one of only two L.A. Dodger managers along with Walter Alston dating back to their arrival from Brooklyn in 1958, would step down from his managerial duties after suffering a mild heart attack. Bill Russell would take over the reins for Tommy. With a 2 game lead over the Padres and 3 to play against the Friars, San Diego would sweep all 3 games at Dodger Stadium to win the NL West by 1 game, pushing the Dodgers to Wild Card status. They would be swept in 3 straight in the LDS by the Atlanta Braves, ending the season on a 7 game losing streak. Todd Hollandsworth would round out the 5 consecutive Dodger Rookie of the Year Award winners The 5 consecutive ROY’s would surpass the 4 consecutive the Dodgers had from 1979-1982 when Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Howe, Fernando Valenzuela, and Steve Sax won the prize
1997 88-74 2nd Place
This time, a late September swoon would cost them. Leading the NL West over the Giants by 2 games on September 16, they would be swept in a crucial 2 game series in San Francisco, the beginning of a 1-6 stretch that would find themselves 2 games behind the hated one’s heading into the final weekend of the year, in which the Dodgers would eventually finish 2 games behind the Giants but miss out on the Wild Card. This would also mark the final season of ownership under the O’Malley family
1998 83-79 3rd Place
In their first season under the Fox group, Mike Piazza , after a lengthy contract dispute, would find himself traded to the Florida Marlins along with Todd Zeile for Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson and Jim Eisenrich before landing with the Mets one week later. With a 36-38 record in June, Bill Russell would get his pink slip, as well as general manager Fred Claire. The thought of a Dodgers manager was unheard of at the time considering up until 1998 they had only 3 managers. Glenn Hoffman, brother of Padres relief phenom Trevor Hoffman, would finish out the season as the skipper. 1998 would also be the year that future Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa we’re involved in the home run record chase, with McGwire finishing with 70 home runs. Though he did put up big numbers in Dodger Blue , Piazza will forever be remembered as a Met. To this day, I still don’t believe he has buried the hatchet towards the Dodgers and his fans. I wonder if he will blame me next for the Dodgers fans turning on him .
1999 76-86 3rd Place
Davey Johnson would take over as manager, and Kevin Brown, coming off 3 straight dominant season and two World Series appearances with the Marlins and Padres, would be signed to a 7-year $105 million contract just one year after Piazza had been offerred 6 years at $80 million, rasising some questions amongst the fans why the same deal could not be offered to Mike, an everyday player, as opposed to Brown, who only toes the hill every 5 games. The Dodgers would finish 24 games behind the 2nd year Arizona Diamondbacks.
So the 90’s we’re not exactly some glorious times for L.A. sports fans. The Lakers, though they would continue to make it to the post season, making the playoffs in 9 of the 10 years, also failed to bring L.A. another championship . The Raiders and Rams would leave L.A. after the 1994 season ( I really didn’t care since i’m a 49ERS fan ) , the Clippers we’re a far cry from what they are today, and the Kings would appear in the Stanley Cup in 1993 to lose to the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games. So next, the new millenium. Glory day’s are bound to return to L.A, right ?
Andrei here,Southern California Correspondent for Stadium Journey Magazine and StadiumJourney.com, along with the broham, Marlon B, aka Kid Marley Marlz. We like to call ourselves, KID N DREI…2 crazed Dodger fans bringing Da Beatz and Da Talez or sometimes, both. Kid with Da Beats on SoundCloud at MDario GlutenFreeSonds, and Drei with Da Talez.
This is the travel blog for Malcolm MacMillan, founder of TheBallparkGuide.com. Visit the website for comprehensive guides to Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball stadiums.
(Vin Scully with Giants broadcasters, L-R, Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow, Jon MIller and Dave Flemming, 8/25/2016 via Jon Miller)
A Good Drei With Kid N Drei 