The 1960s marked the first full decade of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The location changed, but the results didn't as the Dodgers won two World Series (1963 and 1965), three National League pennants (1963, 1965 and 1966) and just missed a fourth pennant in 1962.
In 1962, Walter O'Malley finally had the stadium he had been seeking for so many years. After four seasons at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the ballclub moved into its new home, Dodger Stadium. The 56,000-seat stadium opened on April 10, 1962 with a game against the Cincinnati Reds. The sparkling new venue did wonders for the Dodgers as they won a Los Angeles record 102 games and tied San Francisco, which won a playoff, two games to one.
Individually, the 1962 season was a success for pitcher Don Drysdale, the Cy Young Award winner; and speedster Maury Wills, who stole a record 104 bases en route to league MVP honors. Tommy Davis won the batting crown and posted a club record 153 RBI and pitcher Sandy Koufax led the N.L. in ERA.
The Dodgers didn't miss another opportunity in 1963 as they won the National League pennant. Winning 19 games in the final month of the season, the Dodgers staved off their challengers. Once again, the Dodgers faced the Yankees in the World Series, but Los Angeles shocked the Bronx Bombers, sweeping them in four games while holding a potent Yankee offense to just four runs.
Koufax was the key to the championship year. The overpowering left-hander, who was later named Player of the Decade, was 25-5 with a 1.88 ERA and 306 strikeouts. He was selected Most Valuable Player and Cy Young winner, while also garnering World Series honors and was named to the All-Star team.
In 1965, the Dodgers were once again World Champions. After winning the pennant with a 97-65 record, the Dodgers won a hard-fought, seven-game World Series over the Minnesota Twins. Koufax was again masterful as he posted two complete game victories in the Series, including a 2-0 shutout in Game 7. The Dodgers followed up in 1966 with another big year as they once again won the National League pennant before losing to Baltimore in the World Series.
Like Koufax, Drysdale was another pitching great of the decade. He won 158 games for the Dodgers and was selected to the All-Star team seven times. Johnny Podres also continued his outstanding pitching in the 1960s with 68 victories, including an 18-5 mark in 1961. Ron Perranoski was the Dodger bullpen stopper, compiling 101 saves and 54 wins with the Dodgers from 1961-67. During the 1963 championship season, he was nearly unbeatable, going 16-3 with 21 saves and a 1.67 ERA.
Although the pitching was the mainstay of the team in the 1960s, the Dodgers did produce some outstanding hitters. Tommy Davis won two consecutive batting titles in 1962 and 1963 and had a lifetime .304 average with the Dodgers. The other Davis -- outfielder Willie Davis -- enjoyed 14 seasons with the Dodgers. The all-time leader in many offensive categories, Willie Davis posted a club-record 31-game hitting streak in 1969. From 1960-64, 6-foot-7 slugger Frank Howard provided the Dodgers with 121 home runs, including 31 in 1962.
John Roseboro, who joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957, played in three World Series during the 1960s (catching every inning) and was a five-time All-Star during his career.
After working as director of scouting for the Dodgers, Al Campanis was named Vice President, Player Personnel in December of 1968 and he would hold that position until 1987. During his tenure, the Dodgers won a World Championship, four N.L. pennants and six Western Division titles.