Editor’s note: Second Chance Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games. The first and second rounds will be decided with a best of three series, while the championship series will be a best of five format.
Until 2019, the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers held the club record for wins in a season with as 105-49 mark, which is still a standard for the organization for winning percentage at .682. The 2019 Los Angeles version finished the year at 106-56.
Chuck Dressen was in his third and what turned out be his final season as the manager for the Dodgers. His contract was allowed to expire as part of his dispute with the team’s ownership and he would be replaced by Walter Alston.
The Dodgers won the National League pennant for the second straight year and then fell again in the World Series to the New York Yankees.
Roy Campanella was the NL Most Valuable Player, which was the second of the three times that he was honored. He was also the MVP in 1951 and in 1955 when the Dodgers won their only World Series in Brooklyn.
The Batting Order
Jackie Robinson LF (12 HR, 95 RBI, .329, 17 SB)
Jim Gilliam 2B (21 SB, 100 walks)
Pee Wee Reese SS (13 HR, 61 RBI, 22 SB)
Duke Snider CF (42 HR, 126 RBI. 336, 16 SB)
Roy Campanella C (41 HR, 142 RBI, .312)
Gil Hodges 1B (31 HR, 122 RBI, .302)
Carl Furillo RF (21 HR, 91 RBI, .344)
Billy Cox 3B (10 HR, 44 RBI)
Bobby Morgan DH (7 HR, 33 RBI)
Starting Pitchers
Carl Erskine (20-6, 3.54 ERA)
Clem Labine (11-6, 2.77 ERA)
Preacher Roe (11-3, 4.36 ERA)
Second Chance Tournament First Round Schedule
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers at 1970 Cincinnati Reds
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, if necessary