1959 Los Angeles Dodgers

 The most famous Dodgers title will always be the one that happened in Brooklyn. And as magical as the accomplishment was, after years of constant failure, it gives the false impression that the Dodgers aren't also one of the more accomplished teams in NL history. After their move to the west coast, they didn't slow down and rattled off 6 more titles since, the first one coming a mere 2 years after their move.

Walter Alston was already assured his place in Dodger history when he helmed the Brooklyn team that won it all in 1955, but adding the first title for them in Los Angeles sure wouldn't hurt the resume. Still around were a good chunk of those Brooklyn greats that gave them so many pennants during the 50s. The team battled wire-to-wire all season long, never able to shake off the San Francisco Giants or the 2x defending NL champion Milwaukee Braves. The Dodgers and Braves both finished tied for first at 86-68, where the Dodgers would sweep the best-of-three series to clinch the pennant.

So while the LA version of the Dodgers proved to be the same old same old winners by reaching the World Series, their opponent was a nice change of pace. Representing the American League were the Chicago White Sox, not the New York Yankees. Between the Yankees falling short of a pennant and the Giants and Dodgers being California teams, it was the first World Series since 1948 that did not feature a New York City based team. The last 7 times the Dodgers had reached the World Series, they had to face the Yankees. 4 of the next 7 trips to the fall classic would also feature the Yankees as opponents, so the Dodgers were in slightly uncharted territory.

No disrespect to the White Sox, and certainly not to imply that they were not a good team in 1959, but the Dodgers had accumulated quite a bit of postseason experience from their constant battles with the Yankees over the two prior decades, and they weren't afraid to flex that in the '59 series.

After a lopsided win for the ChiSox in Game 1, the Dodgers got to work, sweeping the next three games by one or two runs and attempted to win it all in Game 5 in front of their new home fans. It was not to be as the Sox squeaked out a 1-0 win to send things back to Chicago. It was in Game 6 that the Dodgers finally busted out the offense, using a 6 run 4th inning to take the game 9-3 and bring the west coast it's first World Series title.

Staff ace Don Drysdale usually earned his postgame beers, going 17-13 and leading the league with 242 Strikeouts. He also led with 18 HBP, making opponents think twice when they tried to dig in against this fireballer. He also tied the lead with 4 Shutouts.

'55 hero Podres was back to help the Dodgers win their first LA title. He missed 1956 due to military service. With the White Sox leading the series 1-0, Johnny took the hill in Game 2 and his efforts kicked started the winning for the Dodgers.

Not quite the Sandy Koufax baseball knows just yet in 1959, Sandy was starting to emerge though, first with a 16 K performance before later that season tying a record with an 18 K effort.

The remaining rotation members. Not a terrible duo, and they compliment the trio at the top to help LA take the pennant.

World Series MVP Larry Sherry may not have been the Dodgers' primary guy in the crucial situations in the regular season (just 3 Saves) but in the World Series, he became the go-to option, saving Games 2 and 3 and stepping in as the hero in Game 6. In the 4th inning, the Dodgers had a seemingly commanding 8-0 lead, but the White Sox were rallying against Johnny Podges. With three runs already in, Sherry was called in to put out the fire quickly. He'd navigate the inning, then proceed to pitch the rest of the game, keeping the White Sox off the scoreboard and clinching the series.

Rest of the staff of the Dodgers. Nothing too eye-popping, though you have to appreciate Stan Willaims and his no-hits-allowed chart.

Duke Snider was no spring chicken in 1959, but he still had enough in him to lead the charge for one final World Series run. He was LA's best RBI man with 88.

Wally Moon may not have led the Dodgers in any major stats, but the all star was the entire package for them, finishing 4th in NL MVP voting and posting a .302 BA with 19 HR and 74 RBI.

Gil Hodges led the way with 25 Home Runs in 1959. He added one more in the World Series, which proved to be the difference in their 5-4 Game 4 victory.

The remaining starting lineup. Along with Hodges, Charlie Neal would take home a Gold Glove award in '59. Gilliam would swipe 23 bases to pace the team.

LA reserves. Absolutely love Frank Howard's contribution. Just 7 for his on-base and half his own chart are outs, but my goodness, everything else is either a Triple or Home Run.