Today in 2017, Justin Turner hits a 3-run HR in the bottom of the 9th to give the Dodgers a 4-1 win over the Cubs in Game 2 of the NLCS. It is the 1st Dodger postseason walk-off homer since Kirk Gibson’s in the 1988 WS and helps lead LA to a 5 game series win.

Today in 1988 . . . “In a year that had been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”

Happy 28th birthday to Gavin Stone. Stone was having a break out season in 2024 when he had to have shoulder surgery. His contributions that season helped the Dodgers stay above water and make it to the postseason. That said, he’s still working his way back to the big leagues.

Happy 31st birthday to Jack Flaherty. The Dodgers’ acquisition of Flaherty at the 2024 trade deadline turned out to be enormously crucial. He had some up and down moments but odds are LA doesn’t win the 2024 WS without him. He’s spent the last 2 seasons with the Tigers.

Happy 34th birthday to back-to-back World Series champion Teoscar Hernández. Teoscar’s addition to the Dodger lineup has been transformative. In just 2 seasons, he’s won the HR Derby, earned an AS selection, and won a pair of WS rings. Hope he lets it rip tonight - we need it.

Happy 49th birthday to Mitch Jones. After being drafted by the Yankees in 2000, Jones would persevere through 9 years in the minors and the Japanese League to finally make his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2009. He played 8 games in what were his only big league appearances.

Today in 2021, Cody Bellinger drives in Justin Turner with a 9th inning single as the Dodgers defeat the Giants 2-1 to win Game 5 of the NLDS and send LA to its 5th NLCS in the last 6 years. The series marks the 1st ever meeting between the Dodgers and Giants in the postseason.

Today in 2020, the Dodgers explode for 11 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks, and a HBP in the 1st inning in a 15-3 win over the Braves in Game 3 of the NLCS. Max Muncy’s grand slam caps the record breaking outburst as LA scores the most runs ever in a single postseason inning.

Today in 1965, Sandy Koufax throws a 3-hit shutout as the Dodgers beat the Twins 2-0 in Game 7 of the WS to win their 2nd title in 3 seasons. Working on just 2 days rest, Koufax strikes out 10 while only walking 3 batters. It is the franchise’s 3rd title since moving to LA.

Happy 47th birthday to Duaner Sánchez. Sánchez played 2 of his 7 MLB seasons with the Dodgers after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh. He appeared in relief in 146 total games for LA in 2004 and 2005, earning 8 saves while filling in for an injured Eric Gagne.

Happy 80th birthday to Al Oliver. Oliver only played 35 games with LA but looked great in Dodger blue. Over his 18 year career, he collected 2,743 hits, was a WS champ and 7-time AS, and led the NL in RBI in 1982. Outstanding career and wouldn’t be mad if he got in in the HOF.

Happy 113th birthday to the late Hugh Casey. Casey played 7 seasons with the Dodgers from 1939 to 1948, missing 3-years while in the Navy during WWII. He appeared in the 1941 and 1947 WS and was particularly good in the latter, going 2-0 with a save in Brooklyn’s 3 wins.

Woooow. That is SO cool. What an amazing book.

Happy 28th birthday to Ricky Vanasco. Vanasco is one of growing list of pitchers from Stetson to get drafted when the Rangers selected him in 2017. He eventually made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2024, making 2 appearances before going to the Tigers later that year.

Happy 62nd birthday to Chris Gwynn. Gwynn was part of a great baseball family but enjoyed a solid baseball career of his own. A member of the 1984 US Olympic baseball team, he was a 1st round draft pick by the Dodgers in 1985 and played 7 of his 10 MLB seasons in LA.

Happy 84th birthday to the late Bob Bailey. Bailey came to the Dodgers in a trade that sent Maury Wills to the Pirates ahead of 1967. He played 2 years in LA, collecting exactly 73 hits in each of them. In all, he played 17 MLB seasons and earned a WS ring with the 1976 Reds.

Happy 150th birthday to the late Bill Donovan. “Wild” Bill pitched 18 years in the big leagues, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. He played 4 seasons in Brooklyn, including in 1901 when he won 25 games to become the 1st 20-game winner in Dodger franchise history.

Today in 1988, Orel Hershiser throws a shutout as the Dodgers defeat the Mets 6-0 in Game 7 of the NLCS to clinch the NL pennant. Hershiser earns MVP honors after appearing in 4 games during the series. The Dodgers will go on to win the WS in 5 games over the As.

Happy 57th birthday to Jose Valentín. Valentín spent 16 years in the big leagues but just one with the Dodgers, playing a fairly unproductive 56 games with LA in 2005 before leaving in free agency. After retiring, Valentín went on to own a team in his native Puerto Rico.

Happy 64th birthday to Sid Fernandez. Fernandez was drafted by the Dodgers in 1981 and made his MLB debut with the club in 1983. He appeared in just 2 games with LA before being traded to the Mets, with whom he was named an AS twice and won a WS championship in 1986.