Dodgers of 1963 and 2014 have many similarities

The 1963 Dodgers were the winners of a recent Times’ online reader poll to determine the best Dodgers team of all time, surviving a three-week tournament and defeating the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers in the final round. The relevance? There are some parallels between the 1963 team and the 2014 Dodgers.

On the mound

1963: Two standout starting pitchers, left-hander Sandy Koufax (25-5 record, 1.88 earned-run average) and right-hander Don Drysdale (19-17, 2.63). Koufax won three Cy Young Awards, Drysdale one.

2014: Two standout starting pitchers, left-hander Clayton Kershaw (21-3, 1.77) and right-hander Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.74). Kershaw most likely will win his third Cy Young Award. Greinke has one.

Leading off

1963: Speed merchant Maury Wills, who steals a ton of bases (40) but you wish got on base a little more often (.355 on-base percentage).

2014: Speed merchant Dee Gordon, who steals a ton of bases (64) but you wish got on base a little more often (.324 OBP).

Catcher

1963: Solid defender, John Roseboro, having an off year at the plate (.236, nine home runs, 49 runs batted in).

2014: Solid defender, A.J. Ellis, having an off year at the plate (.191, three, 24).

Young phenom

1963: Outfielder Tommy Davis, 24, energizes fans while hitting .326 with 16 home runs and 88 RBIs.

2014: Outfielder Yasiel Puig, 23, energizes fans while hitting .296 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs.

Past his prime?

1963: Former starter Wally Moon hits bench, becomes solid pinch-hitter.

2014: Former starter Andre Ethier hits bench, becomes solid pinch-hitter.

Closing it down

1963: Erratic rest of bullpen forces heavy use of closer Ron Perranoski (69 games, 16-3 record, 21 saves).

2014: Erratic rest of bullpen forces heavy use of closer Kenley Jansen (67, 2-3, 44).

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Here’s how the 1963 Dodgers won our online survey and were determined to be the best team in Dodgers history:

First round

1955 Dodgers d. 1985 Dodgers, 85%-15%

1963 Dodgers d. 2009 Dodgers, 95%-5%

1965 Dodgers d. 1978 Dodgers, 69%-31%

1988 Dodgers d. 1966 Dodgers, 51%-49%

1981 Dodgers d. 1920 Brooklyn Robins, 82%-18%

1977 Dodgers d. 1959 Dodgers, 53%-47%

1953 Dodgers d. 1951 Dodgers, 86%-14%

1974 Dodgers d. 1949 Dodgers, 53%-47%

Second round

1955 Dodgers d. 1974 Dodgers, 86%-14%

1963 Dodgers d. 1953 Dodgers, 61%-39%

1965 Dodgers d. 1977 Dodgers, 66%-34%

1981 Dodgers d. 1988 Dodgers, 57%-43%

Semifinals

1955 Dodgers d. 1981 Dodgers, 78%-22%

1963 Dodgers d. 1965 Dodgers, 85%-15%

Final

1963 Dodgers d. 1955 Dodgers, 53%-47%