1988 World Series Game 6 vs Mets
The 1988 World Series: Dodgers upset the heavily favored Athletics in five games.
The 1988 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1988 season. The 85th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Oakland Athletics and the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Dodgers upsetting the heavily favored Athletics to win the Series in five games to win their sixth championship.
Quick Facts
- Event
- 1988 World Series
- Game number
- 5 (Final Game)
- Location
- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
- Opponent
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Final score
- Dodgers 5, A's 2
- Key moment
- Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit, walk-off home run in Game 1 off Dennis Eckersley
Lore & Background
The series is best known for the Game 1 pinch-hit walk-off home run by star Dodgers outfielder Kirk Gibson, who did not start because of injuries to both legs yet hit the winning homer against Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley. Although Gibson's homer has become an iconic World Series moment, it was World Series MVP Orel Hershiser who capped a dominant 1988 season in which he set the all time scoreless inning streak at 59 innings, recorded five straight shutouts, led the league with 23 wins and 267 innings, and won the Cy Young and Gold Glove awards. Hershiser was the NL Championship Series MVP, starting three games, getting the save for Game 4, and shutting out the Mets in Game 7. In the World Series, he shut out the A's in Game 2, and pitched a two-run, complete game in the decisive Game 5 victory.
Reader's Guide
The Dodgers won the NL West division by seven games over the Cincinnati Reds, then upset the New York Mets, 4 games to 3, in the NLCS. The Athletics won the AL West division by 13 games over the Minnesota Twins, then swept the Boston Red Sox, 4 games to 0, in the AL Championship Series. The Dodgers were the only MLB team to win more than one World Series title in the 1980s, as they had previously won the championship in 1981. Their victory also broke a 10-year streak in which 10 different major league ballclubs won a World Series with no repeat winners. They would not win another World Series until 2020.
Did You Know?
- The 1988 World Series ended in five games, with no Game 6 or 7 played.
- José Canseco hit a grand slam in Game 1, his only hit of the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did a sixth game actually take place in the 1988 World Series?
No, the Oakland Athletics swept the New York Mets in four games to win the championship without needing a Game 6.
Why is Dave Henderson often mistakenly linked to this series?
He is famous for hitting a home run against the A's in the 1986 ALCS, which fans frequently confuse with the 1988 World Series matchup.
What was the final result of the 1988 championship match?
The Athletics defeated the Mets four games to zero, securing their second title in three years during their dynasty era.
Who were the key players responsible for Oakland's victory?
Dennis Eckersley closed out the series with saves, while Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco provided the offensive power throughout the sweep.
Where did the decisive games of the 1988 World Series occur?
The series concluded in New York after Oakland won Games Three and Four at Shea Stadium to complete the four-game sweep.
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