Today In History

BROOKLYN DODGERS WIN THEIR FIRST SERIES IN 1955 After years of losing to their cross town rivals, The Yankees, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally beat the Yanks in 7 games to capture the World Series in 1955. Winners of 98 games in the regular season, the Dodgers were led by 20 game winner Don Newcombe, Player of the year Duke Snyder, NL-MVP Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Gil Hodges, and Carl Furillo. Duke Snyder became the key to the power-laden lineup of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s culminating in a career year in 1955, the first World Series championship ever for the Dodgers. Referred to as the "Duke" of Flatbush and often compared to cross town rival center fielders Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, 1955 was the year Duke dominated the headlines and won The Sporting News Player of the Year, the most prestigious award a player could win then.