1988 World Series

In 1988, the World Series Championship was transformed into a "California Classic" as the Los Angeles Dodgers went up against the neighboring Oakland Athletics. Los Angeles had benefited from the amazing arm of Orel Hershiser who had ended the regular season with a record-breaking fifty-nine consecutive scoreless innings as well as one win and saves saves in the National League Championship Series. Oakland boasted their own ace in Dave Stewart who had won twenty-one games during the A's quest for the American League pennant (which they won by a thirteen game margin before sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs). Although relatively equal on the mound, the A's held a slight advantage at the plate after assembling the "Dynamic Duo" of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire who combined for seventy-four home runs and two-hundred twenty-three runs batted in during the regular season. With such evenly-matched teams the Series proposed to go seven, but many experts would be surprised by the sudden outcome of the West Coast vs. West Coast affair.

Manager Tom Lasorda went with Tim Belcher in place of Hershiser for Game 1 choosing to save the right-handed ace for another day. Although he got off to a rough start, the rookie managed to work his way out of loading the bases in the first. After his teammates tagged Stewart for the 2-0 lead, Belcher repeated his folly by loading the bases again in the second. This time he wasn't as lucky as Canseco brought them all home with the fifteenth grand slam in World Series history. LA's bullpen got the call early and held Oakland at bay for the remaining innings, but the damage had already been done. The Dodgers line-up crept within 4-3 in the sixth, but still trailed by one in the bottom of the ninth with no one on. With the A's ace reliever, Dennis Eckersley (forty-five saves) on the mound Oakland figured it was over, but the resilient Dodgers weren't going down without a fight. Pinch-hitter Mike Davis managed to force a walk, but Lasorda sent in a crippled Kirk Gibson to bat for their reliever Alejandro Pena. At first, the decision appeared completely irrational, but somehow the outfielder worked past his pain and launched a bleacher blast (with a 3-2 count) for the game winning run. It was the first time a World Series game had ever been won on a come-from-behind home run in the last inning and the fact that Gibson could hold his stance, let alone swing the bat made the blast even more amazing.

Hershiser finally got his chance in Game 2 and following Gibson's inspirational lead. The Dodgers' twenty-three game winner went three-for-three at the plate and tossed a three hit masterpiece that was supported by Mike Marshall's three run homer for the 6-0 triumph. As the contest moved to Oakland, the Athletics were determined to get back in the race on the bats of McGwire and Canseco. After going 0-9 in the first two outings, "Big Mac" finally connected and broke a 1-1 tie in Game 3 with a ninth-inning homer off Los Angeles reliever Jay Howell. The controversial closer had been suspended during the championship series for using pine tar in his glove and the last-minute loss did nothing for his fading reputation. He would have his revenge the following day though as he found himself facing McGwire again in a bases-loaded mess with two out in the seventh. This time, it would be the pitcher who prevailed as he induced the future home run champ to fly-out for the 4-3 final.

Now up three games to one, the Dodgers prepared to finish their rivals in Game 5. Hershiser returned and maintained his perfect record with a brilliant four hit effort that was sweetened by nine strike outs. Mickey Hatcher set the pace for the Dodgers with a two-run shot off of A's starter Storm Davis in the first inning. The unlikely hero (who had managed one home run during the regular season) would finish the Series with two homers and a leading .368 average proving the old adage "better late than never". Another Davis, ("Mike" of the Dodgers that is...) came up huge while playing the unfamiliar role of designated hitter. Benefiting from the American League ballpark rule that allowed for a DH on both sides, the LA slugger drilled a two-run homer in the fourth en route to a 5-2 Dodger victory that wrapped up their seventh championship and sixth World Series crown.