The official Giant/Dodger rivalry thread

[Jake83]

Lets keep the snide comments about each other's team in here.

Wannabe rivals of the Dodgers or Giants can post in here( That is you Padre, Angel and A's fans)

But it is mainly about the greatest rivarly in Professional Sports

[Astro]

Alright, rivalries are all well and good but this is the current events board, why not just post this topic in the Dodgers and/or Giants board...

Also no need to bash other teams' fans

[Yankee Legend]

Originally Posted by Jake83

But it is mainly about the greatest rivarly in Professional Sports

Hey I thought you said this was about the giants/dodgers rivalry!!!!

[Jake83]

Originally Posted by Yankee Legend

Hey I thought you said this was about the giants/dodgers rivalry!!!!

What else would be the greatest rivarly in professional sports

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by Astro

Alright, rivalries are all well and good but this is the current events board, why not just post this topic in the Dodgers and/or Giants board...

Also no need to bash other teams' fans

Current Events is considered "neutral grounds" when discussing various teams. It's like if we're talking about two cities, but you go to one, the others' at a disadvantage. If posting in the SFG forum, then LAD fans are guests; vice versa is also true.

It's not about dissing. Please see the main Bitter Rivalry thread here, as it's about cute humor, at least in its original incarnation.

Please feel free to discuss the history of both teams, going back to when they both played in Manhattan and Brooklyn, respectively, and how that rivalry continued over the years, now in San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively.

I'm surprised that there aren't more rivalries between the NL Central fans like yourself. There are Cubs and Cards fans here.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by Jake83

What else would be the greatest rivarly in professional sports

Hmmmmmmmmm ... Ali-Frazier? No, that's long gone.

Magic-Bird? Nahhhhhhhh, nobody's ever heard of them.

King-Evert? Bahh, humbug.

Nope, that's it. Giants-Dodgers must be the greatest rivalry in all of pro sports.

[Ontarioguy]

I hope this thread takes off and remains a staple of the current events board much like the Bitter Rivals thread.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by Ontarioguy

I hope this thread takes off and remains a staple of the current events board much like the Bitter Rivals thread.

Same here. I'm wondering if fans of teams outside of two certain AL East teams feel more comfortable here, since they won't be outnumbered by chatter between said fans.

NL fans (including those of teams no longer amongst us), where are you? Come on by!

[Gagne#3 8]

Originally Posted by Astro

Alright, rivalries are all well and good but this is the current events board, why not just post this topic in the Dodgers and/or Giants board...

Also no need to bash other teams' fans

Because rivarlies in baseball are just as important as what goes on the field. Rivarlies is what puts people in the stands are what drives organizations to win. Any fan of the Orioles, Blue Jays or Devil Rays would love nothing more than see their team sweep the yankees or red Sox. Ask a fan of the D-Backs, Padres or Rockies if they would love nothing more than seeing the Dodgers or Gnats being swept. Fans of Boston, New York, LA, and San Francisco these rivaerlies are what makes baseball.

[Ontarioguy]

I think this thread has potential. I think of a guy like mojorisin71 and he's always taking humeruous pot-shots at the Giants. He seems like the type of poster who could turn this into a fun thread. He just needs someone to poke some fun at his Dogers. Both these teams have their quality posters, such as WCOB and KH (I know I'm missing other people, sorry)

Just a possible sugestion, if this thread doesnt take off, perhaps we should try an NL-wide thread, with fans from across the league. For example we could have both the LAD/SFG rivals and the CHC/STL rivals going at it in one thread. The extra rivals would provide a 'bump', but it would be a productive bump rather than just one trying to keep the thread on life support. Just a thought...I leave this thread and this idea in the hands of our capable mods.

[Yankee Legend]

Originally Posted by Jake83

What else would be the greatest rivarly in professional sports

you know the rivalry im talking about. its the only one that means anything.

[Jake83]

Originally Posted by Yankee Legend

you know the rivalry im talking about. its the only one that means anything.

The one-sided rivarly. Beating up on Boston shouldn;t consitute as the best rivarly.

[UnderPressure]

This has turned into a Dodgers-Giants rivalry vs. Red Sox-Yankees rivalry rivalry.

[Jake83]

It should be interesting we have Finley joining the Hated Gnats
and Mueller joining the Blue this off season

[Gagne#3 8]

The fog and cold weather up in the Bay Area has finally gone to Gnat fans who think they have a chance in the NL West this year

[Gagne#3 8]

This is the reason why this forum should be apart of baseball discussion because it is as much to baseball as the fans, Hall of Fame, statistics and records



The idea for this article came to me a few weeks ago when I was watching the Giants-Dodgers series with my kids. My four-year old daughter asked, “Why do we hate the Dodgers so much?” My son informed her, “Because they are the bad guys.” (Okay, so I am training them well…but that will be another article). My son’s answer was good enough for her but it made me stop to think. Here I am, a life-long Giants fan and I don’t really know why we hate the Dodgers or what started the rivalry to begin with. Then I began to wonder, how many other fans out there have one team in particular that they love to hate but don’t know what is behind the rivalry? So, I posed the question to a group of die-hard fans and guess what I discovered? I am not alone; almost everyone has a team that they love to hate but very few people know all of the reasons why. This article will attempt to examine and explain one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries.

The Dodgers and the Giants rivalry can be traced back to their New York days when the Giants played in Manhattan and the Dodgers played in Brooklyn, which at the time were separate cities. Brooklyn was the fifth largest city in the USA but was in the shadow of Manhattan and Broadway. Even though the Polo Grounds were not in an upscale section of town, the Manhattan socialites that followed the Giants were said to have looked down upon the Dodgers and their fans. The Giants’ fans rode to the games at the Polo Grounds in their expensive clothes and carriages, while the players paraded through town wearing their uniforms. Dodger fans felt as if they were taunting them. In truth, there was no visitor clubhouse so the Giants were forced to arrive in uniform.

The Dodgers’ fans from Brooklyn consisted mostly of hard-working immigrants who seemed to feel that the Giants’ fans were flaunting their wealth and position. As a matter of fact the Dodgers name is actually a derogatory term given to Brooklynites who were called Trolley Dodgers by Manhattanites.

And then there is baseball. In the early years the Giants were very successful having five World Series victories out of fourteen attempts, while the Dodgers were merely one and eight in series play. In the very first meeting between the two teams (1889 Championship), the Giants defeated the Bridegrooms (as they were called in those days) six games to three. In game four there was a dispute over a bad call and as they say, the rest is history.

For players and fans alike, the Giant-Dodger rivalry was war. There were fewer teams in the early days of baseball so the Giants and the Dodgers, who played against each other twenty-two times per season had quite a few meaningful games – that is, games that meant the NL championship for one or the other of them. Then when Leo Durocher, who managed the Dodgers from 1938-1945, made his move to the Giants’ organization in 1948 it certainly only added fuel to the fire.

These two teams have definitely had their share of controversies. One of the most renowned being the dramatic ending of the 1951 pennant race and the playoff finale with Bobby Thomson’s ninth inning home run now referred to as “the shot heard ‘round the world”. Allegations arose that Thomson had stolen signs and to this day most Dodger fans cringe when they hear re-plays of Russ Hodge’s famous home run call.

Emotions between the Giants and the Dodgers ran so high that Jackie Robinson, when traded from Brooklyn to New York after the 1956 season, chose to retire instead of reporting to the Giants.

Then in 1957 Dodger owner Walter O’Malley convinced the Giants to join them in the move west in order to continue the rivalry. In the 1958 season opener, the Giants beat the Dodgers, 8-0 but perhaps even more significantly, they beat the Dodgers 16 out of 22 times that year, keeping the rivalry alive.

So, what perpetuates the rivalry now? Part of it is still due to being in rival cities; there is a natural rivalry between San Francisco and Los Angeles (Northern and Southern California). San Francisco is filled with business people, and entrepreneurial types that perceive themselves to be above the blue-collar, surfer types in Los Angeles. Los Angeles, in the past, has wanted to secede from the state of California to become its own state. Northern Californians are bitter because their water is piped south. It is a battle of geography, economics, culture, as well as politics.

And then there is baseball. Since moving west in 1958 the Giants have had limited post-season success, they have not won a World Series while the Dodgers have won five.

The media also may have done a lot to keep the rivalry going because in the 1960’s the only baseball games that were televised in the Los Angeles area were as expected, Dodgers-Giants games. So, nine times a year the Dodgers’ fans watched these teams battle it out on the field. And I do mean battle.

In 1962 The Giants narrowly defeated the Dodgers in a three game playoff to win the NL pennant and reach the World Series for the first time since they moved west. Of course, there is also more controversy; the Dodgers accused the Giants of wetting down the field at Candlestick Park in order to prevent Maury Wills from stealing bases.

Again in the midst of a pennant race in 1965, Giants’ pitcher, Juan Marichal knocked down Maury Wills and Ron Fairly with brush back pitches. When Marichal came to the plate in the third inning the Dodgers pitcher, Sandy Koufax didn’t try to retaliate, but catcher, John Roseboro, did. When returning the ball to the pitcher’s mound Roseboro threw it extremely close to Marichal’s face. After the second of Roseboro's throws came too close to Marichal he struck Roseboro on the head with his bat, opening up a wound that required 14 stitches and in the process started a brawl that lasted 14 minutes.

In 1993, at the end of September with only four games left in the season, the Giants were tied with Atlanta for the division title. Who else would the Giants have to face in those last four games but the Dodgers, who had nothing to lose? (The Braves had it easier as they were playing the Rockies) Naturally, both the Giants and the Braves won the first three games. And on the last day of the season the Dodgers beat the Giants, knocking them out of the playoffs and finally extracting revenge for 1982 when the Giants knocked them out of the playoffs.

In 2001 when Barry Bonds hit home run number 500 against the Dodgers they were displeased that the game was halted for a lengthy on field celebration. Later the same year when the Dodgers visited Pacific Bell Park the Giants wanted to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of “the shot heard ‘round the world.” Of course, the Dodgers wanted no part in it (and who could blame them?) but it was more fodder for the media thus fueling the rivalry even more.

Over one hundred years later, fans still take this rivalry seriously. Chants of “Beat LA” can be heard around San Francisco – even when the Giants are playing another team. Some fans travel from as far as New York to watch these teams battle it out on the field. There is an inexplicable spirit and intensity at these games that you can actually feel; everyone finds themselves becoming a part of it. To the fans it doesn’t even seem to matter if their team is having a bad season, as long as they beat the other – at all costs. That is what this rivalry is all about.

[KHenry14]

OK, I'll jump in....

As I've written before on this board, my Grandfather grew up a fan of Mathewson, so being a Giants fan was in my blood. And when I started coming of age in the 60's, the rivalry was white hot, which meant the distaste for the Bums came easily. Part of this was due, and I'll admit this, the Dodgers had a lot more success than the Giants, and I wanted that success for my team. But over the years things kept happening to keep the rivalry going in my heart. Reggie Smith going into the stands at the "Stick, Joe Morgan beating the Bums in '82, the last game of '93 and many more examples.

And while it's not IMO the greatest rivalry in sports, much less baseball, it is one of the longest lasting, and still has relevance today. But the Giants success over the last decade has given us Giants fans a modicum of bragging rights, it wont be finished till the teams wins a WS. And if both Sox teams can win one, it's gotta be the Giants turn now.

And yes, it's personal!

KH14<--who's betting a pack of Topps cards the Giants win the division.

[Jake83]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

And while it's not IMO the greatest rivalry in sports, much less baseball, it is one of the longest lasting, and still has relevance today. But the Giants success over the last decade has given us Giants fans a modicum of bragging rights, it wont be finished till the teams wins a WS. And if both Sox teams can win one, it's gotta be the Giants turn now.

And yes, it's personal!

KH14<--who's betting a pack of Topps cards the Giants win the division.

Your few NL West Titles and NL pennets do not compare to our let me see 1....2.....3.....4.....Let me see......5 World Championshp since the move out West

[Gagne#3 8]

After years of rooting for the Giants this is how your life will end up



Being a Gnat fan is a psychological disorder

[UnderPressure]

Come on, man. It's ok to bash on the team, but no need for that.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by Pure Dodger

Come on, man. It's ok to bash on the team, but no need for that.

It's borderline to have a fan in a straight jacket, but if it's taken in humor (like zinging someone), I guess that'll go.

See the very long bitter rivalry thread and see all the cheesy potshots we've all taken at one another. Not as direct as the straight jacket, but zings nonetheless.

An off-key sense of humor helps, is all I'll say.

[Elvis]

I object to the title of this thread. It should be Dodger/Giant rivalry, not the other way 'round. Shame on you Jake.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The giants have not won anything since 1954 when they were still in new york. they should have never left new york. i hope i never see them win anything on the west coast. the curse of the POLO GROUNDS.

[Jake83]

Originally Posted by Elvis9045

I object to the title of this thread. It should be Dodger/Giant rivalry, not the other way 'round. Shame on you Jake.

Like the saying ladies first

[iPod]

Originally Posted by Mattingly

It's borderline to have a fan in a straight jacket, but if it's taken in humor (like zinging someone), I guess that'll go.

See the very long bitter rivalry thread and see all the cheesy potshots we've all taken at one another. Not as direct as the straight jacket, but zings nonetheless.

An off-key sense of humor helps, is all I'll say.

It obviously couldn't have been meant to be hurtful, because Southern Californians have no feelings in the first place.