YANKEES VS. DODGERS: A RICH HISTORY

As the New York Yankees look ahead to the 2024 World Series, they do so with the weight of history on their side—especially when it comes to their storied rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For many of us,1978 and the 1981 World Series are most memorable. It is true that 1981 may have been a rare blemish in that history, but it only serves as a reminder of the Yankees’ resilience and determination to come back stronger. After all, this rivalry has largely belonged to the Bronx Bombers, and with that legacy, the Yankees are poised to reclaim their rightful place at the top in 2024.

Let’s rewind for a moment. In the 1978 World Series, the Dodgers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Yankees, true to their championship spirit, stormed back with four straight victories to win it all. Lou Piniella's clutch walk-off hit in Game 4 was a turning point, igniting the Yankees' charge. Then, in Game 5, captain Thurman Munson led the way with a heroic five-RBI performance, putting the Yankees in control. With their trademark resilience and determination, the Yankees proved once again why they are baseball’s most iconic and unstoppable team.

Then the rematch, 1981. The Yankees appeared to be on track for another triumph against the Dodgers, much like they had done countless times before. From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the Yankees had consistently outplayed the Dodgers, with iconic victories in 1949, 1952, and 1953, leaving Dodgers fans heartbroken and frustrated. New York simply had the Dodgers’ number.

The 1981 Fall Classic started much the same way. The Yankees took the first two games at Yankee Stadium, and it seemed like another chapter of their dominance was about to unfold. But the series shifted to Dodger Stadium, and suddenly, the tide turned. Rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela ignited the Dodgers with a Game 3 win, sparking a comeback that led to four straight victories and an unexpected championship for Los Angeles. Pedro Guerrero’s Game 6 heroics capped off the upset, with the Dodgers winning 9-2 and sending Yankees fans into shock.

It was a rare moment of disappointment for Yankees fans, but even that loss can be seen as fuel for the fire. George Steinbrenner, never one to accept defeat lightly, famously issued an apology to the people of New York after the series. It wasn’t just a statement—it was a promise that the Yankees would be back, stronger than ever. And if there’s one thing the Yankees have always done, they work to deliver on that promise.

History, after all, is a Yankee stronghold. While the Dodgers celebrated their 1981 victory, it’s important to remember that this rivalry leans heavily in New York’s favor. In 11 World Series matchups, the Yankees have won eight, including a 6-1 domination over the Brooklyn Dodgers before they packed their bags for Los Angeles. Even in moments of defeat, the Yankees have bounced back, often with a vengeance. The 1981 loss? Just a blip in the grand scheme of things.

 

Look back at the defining moments of this rivalry, and you’ll see why Yankees fans should feel confident heading into 2024. Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956 is still the only one in World Series history, with Yogi Berra jumping into his arms in celebration. Johnny Kucks threw a three-hit shutout in Game 7 of that series, sending the Dodgers packing and cementing the Yankees' status as the team of destiny. The Bronx Bombers have been built on these legendary moments, and 2024 could very well be the next chapter.

Yes, the Yankees have faced adversity before, but that’s precisely what has shaped them into baseball’s most successful franchise. And if history is any indication, the Yankees have a knack for rising to the occasion when it matters most. As they gear up for another World Series run in 2024, it’s not just about the present—it’s about drawing strength from their past. The Dodgers may have gotten the better of them in 1981, but the Yankees have shown time and again that they know how to bounce back.

With a record of dominance over the Dodgers and a tradition of excellence in October, the Yankees are more than capable of writing a different ending in 2024. The ghosts of their past triumphs—Larsen, Berra, Mantle—are all there, ready to inspire this new generation of Yankees to reclaim the crown, Soto, Judge, Cole. 2024 could be the year they bring another World Series title back home.

So, as the Yankees march toward another Fall Classic, fans can take comfort in the fact that history—and the heart of a champion—are on their side. The 1981 World Series may have been a painful chapter, but it’s part of a larger narrative, one that has the Yankees standing tall as baseball’s most iconic and successful team. Come Friday, don’t be surprised if the Yankees are once again celebrating on top of the baseball world, proving that in the end, the Bronx always finds a way to win, especially this team.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

REPLACE "ORTIZ" WITH ANY PLAYER... EVERYONE LOVES JETER!

I found it odd that there was a report today that David Ortiz "praised" Derek Jeter.  I mean... who doesn't? And for the record, would it matter if it was David Ortiz or Frankie "the chin" Ortiz? Truth be told, praise is praise and Jeter is a God.

Ortiz was on MLB Network Radio and he said just how great Derek was.  Here it is:

“If there’s one guy that the baseball game is gonna miss once he’s retired, it’s Derek . . .Derek is very professional; that’s a guy that is all about the game, all about the business.... He is one of the baseball players that I can tell you that pretty much his whole career has done everything perfectly right. And when I watch him play I get goose bumps. You know what I’m saying? That’s one of the players that everybody wants to come and see. . . . That’s a player that definitely we’re all gonna miss after he’s done with baseball.”

OK. Let's try and understand this for a moment. Derek Jeter is literally a legend in baseball.  Why anyone truly cases about David Ortiz and what he says is beyond me. Is he a staple in baseball now or something. Oh yeah, that's right, Bud Selig loves Ortiz... so I guess that means something in the mainstream.

Now look, I don't hate Ortiz, but I am confused why the world makes his comments as law everytime.  I mean, you could substitute his name for anyone in baseball and the message wouldn't seem unusual at all.

Try this:
 
 “If there’s one guy that the baseball game is gonna miss once he’s retired, it’s Derek . . .Derek is very professional; that’s a guy that is all about the game, all about the business.... He is one of the baseball players that I can tell you that pretty much his whole career has done everything perfectly right. And when I watch him play I get goose bumps. You know what I’m saying? That’s one of the players that everybody wants to come and see. . . . That’s a player that definitely we’re all gonna miss after he’s done with baseball.”  -- Bryce Harper

 Or this:

“If there’s one guy that the baseball game is gonna miss once he’s retired, it’s Derek . . .Derek is very professional; that’s a guy that is all about the game, all about the business.... He is one of the baseball players that I can tell you that pretty much his whole career has done everything perfectly right. And when I watch him play I get goose bumps. You know what I’m saying? That’s one of the players that everybody wants to come and see. . . . That’s a player that definitely we’re all gonna miss after he’s done with baseball.”  -- Alex Rodriguez

Or this:

 “If there’s one guy that the baseball game is gonna miss once he’s retired, it’s Derek . . .Derek is very professional; that’s a guy that is all about the game, all about the business.... He is one of the baseball players that I can tell you that pretty much his whole career has done everything perfectly right. And when I watch him play I get goose bumps. You know what I’m saying? That’s one of the players that everybody wants to come and see. . . . That’s a player that definitely we’re all gonna miss after he’s done with baseball.”  -- Fernando Valenzuela

The point is... the story is NOT David Ortiz, it's Derek Jeter.  I wish the media would stop making David Ortiz an ambassador of baseball!  Stop putting him on a pedastal.  I mean, isn't Ortiz still looking for the reason why he tested positive for PEDs in that 2003 test?

 This Ortiz connection is a non-story if you're a Yankee fan. Everyone loves Derek Jeter...praise is praise.

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BANUELOS: FERNANDO VALENZUELA PART 2?

When I was a kid, I remember a Mexican pitcher coming out of Los Angeles that pitched for the Dodgers. He had the craziest delivery where he’d look at the sky before he chucked the ball into home plate. Usually, he’d always come out on the winning end of the duel between pitcher and hitter. Fernando Valenzuela was the pitcher that everyone latched onto from the moment he pitched in his rookie season and through the 1980’s. He was chubby, had this odd delivery, a lefty and lights out.

I still remember his rookie card. It was the 1981 Topps card that I remember best partly because Valenzuela just had this look on his face like he wasn't ready for his picture to be taken and partly because Mike Scioscia was also on the card.

Anyway, not to get off track, but recently, one of my buddy’s tweeted me about Manny Banuelos…. "Fernando Valenzuela Part II" he wrote. It got me thinking, “Maybe Carlos is right.” I mean, not since Fernando was I this excited about a Mexican pitcher like I am about Manny Banuelos. So much so that I would have given away Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman, and Jesus Montero but still would have held onto Manny at the trade deadline.

Now look, Manny hasn’t exactly been lights out this year, but he is a lefty and he has some really good stuff as a young arm in the minor leagues. In 2 games right now with Scranton Wilkes Barres, he has a 2.45 ERA, 0-1 with 16.2 innings pitched. He's given up 20 hits, 6 earned runs, struck out 16 and walked 7. It's still early for this kid, and again, those number don't seem great, but I have faith. I see him making an appearance in the big show before the end of the season, but coming out of the pen...and it's exciting.

Then I got curious, what were Fernando Valenzuela's minor league numbers. Well, for San Antonio AA ball, he had a season of 13-9, with a 3.10 ERA, 27 games, 174 innings pitched. He gave up 60 earned runs on 156 hits, but he also struck out 162.

Compare that to Manny's AA numbers, Manny had the following: a 4-6 record, a 3.58 ERA in 23 games. In 110.2 Innings pitched he game up only 44 earned runs and 109 hits. he also struck out 111.

So, is there just too much hype when it comes to Manny? I'm not sure, but I still like what I see and if there is any way he can come up so we can get a glance and he can work against big league hitters, something may click. I can’t help but wonder when Manny comes up to the big show, will he take the world by storm the way Fernando Valenzuela did?

It’s tough to put this much pressure on these kids. Clearly they all want to pitch in the pros, but in a world of pitch counts and training, when is the right time for a call up? Brian Cashman made it clear early on that he didn’t want to rush these kids. Bleeding Yankee Blue is rooting for a promotion though and hopefully a call out of the pen as a lefty specialist this fall is truly in the works. But like we’ve seen with Stephen Strasburg, rushing these guys could do more damage than good. Strasburg should bounce back, but to be that young and to be hurt as quickly as he was, you need to worry. Read about Strasburg HERE.

Could Manny be the next Fernando Valenzuela? Who knows, Valenzuela had some great years and Manny early on in the farm system has proven he could handle batters, and hopefully he'll improve. One thing is for sure, I can't help but think about all the chatter about him in Spring Training. Time will tell, but there’s no question, it’s getting exciting in Yankeeland.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.