Following their first World Series Championship as the Los Angeles Dodgers over the highly-favored Chicago White Sox in 1959, the Dodgers roster continued to evolve, as the aging veteran Brooklyn players were being traded or released, thereby opening roster spots for minor league prospects like Tommy Davis, Willie Davis, Ron Fairly, Frank Howard, and Maury Wills.

1960

Less than two weeks after the last pitch of the 1959 World Series, the Dodgers made what turned out to be one of the worst trades in team history, sending first base prospect Jim Gentile to the Baltimore Orioles in return for two players: infielder Willy Miranda and first baseman/outfielder Bill Lajoie (who never made it to The Show after the trade). Gentile went on to become a power-hitting, All-Star first baseman for the Orioles, hitting 179 home runs over his nine-year MLB career.

On April 8, 1960, the Dodgers traded utility infielder Don Zimmer to the Chicago Cubs for minor league outfielder Lee Handley, journeyman third baseman John Goryl, and a 24-year old left-hander who would become one of the best relievers in Dodgers history – Ron Perranoski. In his eight seasons with the Dodgers, “Ski” (as he was called) won 54 games, lost 41, and earned 100 saves while posting a remarkable 2.56 ERA in 457 games pitched.

Before the 1960 season was complete, the Dodgers also moved Brooklyn Dodgers star right fielder Carl Furillo, 1955 World Series hero Sandy Amoros, long-time bullpen stalwart Clem Labine, and a left-handed pitcher by the name of Tommy Lasorda from the roster – the latter to make room for some guy named Sandy Koufax.

1961

There were no significant trades in 1961, but the team gave up six players after the season in the National League expansion draft to the Houston Colt 45’s and New York Mets, including: ‘The Boys of Summer’ star first baseman (and should-be Hall of Famer) Gil Hodges and starting pitcher Roger Craig to the Mets; with first baseman/outfielder Norm Larker, infielder Bob Aspromonte, and reliever Dick (Turk) Farrell going to the Colt 45’s.

Between January 1, 1958, and October 1961, the Dodgers replaced their entire (Brooklyn Dodgers) starting lineup of starting pitcher Don Newcombe, closer Clem Labine, catcher Roy Campanella, first baseman Gil Hodges, second baseman Don Zimmer, third baseman Dick Gray, shortstop Pee Wee Reese, left fielder Sandy Amoros, centerfielder Gino Cimoli, and right fielder Carl Furillo.

But more changes were coming, as the new Los Angeles Dodgers pursued future World Series titles.

Stay tuned…

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