Dodgers/Giants: The West Coast’s Answer to Red Sox/Yankees

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants can stand up against any rivalry in sports. It has been a fairly balanced war, with each team enjoying much success over the years. The Yanks/Sox rivalry has its charm, but nothing can compare with the evenly balanced and highly compelling rivalry that the Dodgers and Giants offer. Here are a few moments in time that have helped shape this historic battle.

  • The first unofficial contest between these two teams was at the New York Polo Grounds on October 18, 1889. It was essentially a “World Series” pitting the AA (American Association) Champion Brooklyn against the NL Champion New York. The games were considered to be merely exhibitions, but the series was won by New York, six games to three.
  • The first official game takes place that following year after Brooklyn joins the NL and defeats New York 7-3.
  • The first dispute was seen in 1890 as Darby O’Brien, third-base coach for Brooklyn, pretends to be a base runner to draw a throw to third base.
  • The first media spat is born between Dodgers (known as the Robins then) Manager Wilbert Robinson and Giants Manager John McGraw. Robinson
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