#495 Johnny Podres

Lefty Johnny Podres will forever own a spot in Dodger fans' hearts. Particularly those fans with an interest in the history of the franchise. In 1955 Podres had gone 9-10 in his third year as a Dodger starter. Podres won both the 3rd and 7th game of that '55 Series and was named Series MVP for pushing the Boys of Summer to their only title. 

Podres also pitched for four other Dodger World Series clubs, in '53 for the Brooklyn version and in '59, '63 and '65 (he didn't pitch in the 1965 Series) and was a combined 4-1 in postseason starts.

From his debut in 1953 through being dealt to the Tigers early in 1966 he won 136 games and lost 104 for the Dodgers with a 3.66 ERA. He added a dozen win for the Tigers and fledgling San Diego Padres before retiring after the 1969 season. 

He's a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Sidebar: Podres was born in upstate New York. I was there (and all over that state) recently and it's one of my favorite places. History plus natural beauty. Some day if I'm lucky I'll retire to a spot in the Adirondacks. 

Podres is also featured on one of my favorite cards ever, one I keep an eye peeled for online all the time. 1963 Topps #412 Dodgers' Big Three.

Read his NY Times obit for some nice Podres info. And check his website for additional pics.

#262 Hitters' Foes

These three Dodger 'musketeers' must have known how the 1959 season would end for them, with a World Series title.

The trio entered the season deserving of an appearance on a special card like this. Don Drysdale was coming into his own with a 39-22 mark over his first two seasons as a full fledged member of the rotation. He's led the league in K's in '58.

Johnny Podres, while only 25-24 since returning from a 1956 Navy stint, was still basking in the glow of his '55 World Series heroics and had hurled six shutouts in 1957 to go with a 2.66 ERA.

And Clem Labine, at this point a wily vet, had compiled a 52-36 record in his previous five years with the Dodgers and racked up 73 saves in a time that saves ere not as common as they are now.