Oct. 20, 1988, is a special date in Los Angeles Dodgers history, most notably with it marking their sixth World Series title as a franchise by defeating the Oakland Athletics in Game 5.
The Dodgers entered the 1988 postseason seeking their second World Series title of the decade, having previously taken home the commissioner’s trophy in 1981, which ended a 16-year championship drought.
L.A. was able to upset a highly favored Athletics team that finished the regular season with a Major League-best record of 104-58.
The 1988 World Series is of course best remembered for Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run against A’s closer Dennis Eckersley in Game 1.
In Game 5, Mickey Hatcher and Mike Davis each provided two RBI and Orel Hershiser pitched a complete game in the series-clinching 5-2 victory.
It was Hershiser’s second complete game of the 1988 World Series, as he single-handedly pitched a shutout in Game 2. For his efforts, Hershiser was named MVP of the 1988 World Series. The right-hander had an excellent run that postseason, with a 1.05 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched.
Dodgers history: Oct. 20
Raul Mondesi voted Rookie of the Year
In 1994, Mondesi was unanimously named NL Rookie of the Year, beating out Houston Astros’ pitcher John Hudek and Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Ryan Klesko.
Mondesi became the third consecutive Dodgers Rookie of the Year winner, following Eric Karros in 1992 and Mike Piazza in 1993.
Mondesi made his MLB debut in 1993 and appeared in 42 games, batting .291/.322/.488 with three doubles, a triple and four home runs.
He maintained his status as a rookie for the 1994 season and made the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. Mondesi hit .306/.333/.516 that season with 27 doubles, eight triples and 16 homers in 434 at-bats.
Ted Lilly re-signs
The Dodgers acquired Lilly from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in 2010. He won the first five starts with his new team while posting a 1.83 ERA.
The left-hander finished the 2010 season with a 7-4 record and 3.52 ERA in 76.2 innings pitched. He re-signed with the Dodgers in the offseason by agreeing to a three-year, $33 million contract.
The 2011 season was a mixed bag, but Lilly did post a 2.94 ERA in the second half. Overall, he had a 3.97 ERA in 192.2 innings. Lilly’s second-half turnaround carried over into the next season, with a 5–1 record and 3.14 ERA in 8 starts.
But he missed the rest of the 2012 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery in September.
Lilly also had trouble staying on the field in 2013. He began the season on the injured list and had several more incidents throughout the season.
The left-hander was designated for assignment by the Dodgers in July and released in August.
Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig shine
Also on this day in Dodgers history, Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig each hit a home run in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series to help eliminate the Milwaukee Brewers. Bellinger was named NLCS MVP.
That put the Dodgers back in the World Series for a second consecutive year, though they came up short against the Boston Red Sox.
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