Instant classics: The World Series history of Dodgers-Yankees

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees renew their historic World Series rivalry for the first time in 43 years Friday. Their 11 previous October meetings - by far the most common MLB playoff matchup - produced many of baseball's most memorable postseason games and moments.

While we don't yet know what this next chapter will give us, it'll boast plenty of star power and modern-day baseball legends, like its predecessors. If the past is any indication, Dodgers-Yankees Part 12 will be memorable.

Since it's been so long, we're looking back at the history of this great World Series rivalry. Jump to: 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1978, 1981.

1941: Yankees 4, Dodgers 1

The first Subway Series involving Brooklyn was also the Dodgers' first NL pennant in 21 years. Waiting for "Dem Bums" in the World Series was a Yankees squad making its fifth World Series appearance in six years. Though three of the five games were decided by one run, the Yankees still dominated, allowing only 11 runs during their five-game victory. Brooklyn's vaunted lineup, which included NL MVP Dolph Camilli and three future Hall of Famers, hit .182/.249/.270 with one homer.

The moment: The Dodgers were one pitch away from tying the series at two. Reliever Hugh Casey appeared to save Game 4 when Tommy Henrich swung at strike three, but the pitch got away from catcher Mickey Owen, allowing Henrich to reach base. Owen's dropped third strike started a four-run Yankees rally that gave New York a 3-1 series lead and left Ebbets Field stunned.

1947: Yankees 4, Dodgers 3

This World Series was historic on multiple fronts. With Jackie Robinson on the field, it marked the first integrated Fall Classic. This was also the first World Series to be televised and was watched by around 3.9 million people, becoming the medium's first mass audience.

On the field, the series went the distance and featured six competitive games. Brooklyn's pitching struggled - its 5.55 ERA remains the fourth-highest ever in a seven-game World Series - but an offense led by Robinson, Carl Furillo, and Pee Wee Reese kept the Dodgers afloat. Johnny Lindell was an unexpected hero for the Yankees, hitting .500/.625/.778 with seven RBIs, while Joe DiMaggio hit two homers.

The moments: New York's Bill Bevens threw 8 2/3 no-hit innings to start Game 4 despite allowing a run and walking 10. Standing in his way with two out and two on in the ninth was Dodgers pinch hitter Cookie Lavagetto. The light-hitting backup ripped a two-run, walk-off double to end Bevens' no-no and tie the series at two.

Brooklyn forced Game 7 a few days later with an exciting 8-6 win at Yankee Stadium. Left fielder Al Gionfriddo played hero, robbing DiMaggio of a potential game-tying hit with a remarkable catch that left the normally stoic Yankees legend kicking dirt:

Despite Brooklyn's memorable plays, the Yankees won the series. Relief ace Joe Page tossed five shutout innings to save Game 7.

1949: Yankees 4, Dodgers 1

This began the Yankees' run of five straight World Series titles. Although future Hall of Famers DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto combined to go 5-for-52, New York still outscored Brooklyn 21-14 and scored 10 in the series-clinching Game 5. With their stars silent, Yankees third baseman Bobby Brown stepped up and hit .500/.571/.917 with five RBIs and a pair of series-altering triples. The Dodgers' lone highlight was Preacher Roe's Game 2 shutout.

The moment: Tommy Henrich spoiled Don Newcombe's 11-strikeout effort in Game 1 by crushing the first walk-off World Series homer to give the Yankees a 1-0 win.

1952: Yankees 4, Dodgers 3

A fiercely competitive series saw New York and Brooklyn alternate wins over the first six games while combining to hit a then-record 13 World Series homers. Dodgers icon Duke Snider went 10-for-29 with eight RBIs and a single-series record-tying four home runs. Mickey Mantle, his center-field counterpart, also went 10-for-29 with four extra-base hits. Yankees first baseman Johnny Mize, another future Hall of Famer, hit .400 with three round-trippers.

It appeared this would finally be Brooklyn's year when it took a 3-2 series lead home, but then Mantle took over. In his breakout performance, he swatted the game-winning homer in the eighth inning of Game 6, then crushed the series-winning blast late in Game 7, leaving Brooklyn fans crying "Wait 'til next year" again.

The moment: With the bases loaded and two out in the seventh inning of Game 7, Jackie Robinson lifted a wind-blown pop-up that looked like it might fall - until Yankees second baseman Billy Martin sprinted in for a shoestring catch. New York won its fourth straight title two innings later.

1953: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2

The Yankees held off a fierce Brooklyn comeback with four late runs to win Game 1, then went up 2-0 thanks to Mantle's eighth-inning Game 2 homer. But the Dodgers stormed back at Ebbets Field: Carl Erskine's 14 strikeouts in Game 3 set a new World Series record, and Roy Campanella hit the winning homer in the eighth. They chased the great Whitey Ford after only one inning in Game 4 to even the series. The Yankees took over from there, however, plating 11 runs in Game 5 before taking Game 6 at home to win their fifth consecutive championship.

The moment: One year after his series-saving catch, Martin broke Brooklyn's hearts again. The future Yankees manager tied a then-series record with 12 hits, none bigger than his series-clinching walk-off single:

1955: Dodgers 4, Yankees 3

MVP: Dodgers P Johnny Podres (2-0, 1.00, 10 K, 2 CG, 1 SHO)

The home team won each of the first six games before the Dodgers finally broke through at Yankee Stadium in Game 7. Snider again hit four homers, while Campanella was 7-for-27 with two round-trippers. Berra had a great series for the Yankees, but they were shorthanded, as Mantle played only three games due to a knee injury. Podres, the first-ever World Series MVP, threw a shutout in Game 7 to clinch Brooklyn's long-awaited title.

The moments: Jackie Robinson pulled off perhaps the signature play of his career when he stole home with the winning run in the eighth inning of Game 1. But was he actually out? Berra exploded in anger at the call, and maintained until his death that he tagged Robinson. Photographs and video are largely inconclusive, and the play's still debated today. You be the judge:

The Dodgers took a fourth-inning lead in Game 7, but New York wouldn't go quietly, putting two on in the sixth. Berra crushed a deep drive to left that spelled trouble, but defensive replacement Sandy Amorós made an incredible running catch, and then fired the baseball back in to nab Gil McDougald off first. The iconic double play snuffed out the Yankees' last rally. Finally, it was "this year" in Brooklyn.

1956: Yankees 4, Dodgers 3

MVP: Yankees P Don Larsen (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 K, perfect game)

The Dodgers' title defense started strong as they beat Whitey Ford in Game 1 and scored 13 runs in Game 2. But the Yankees struck back when the series shifted to the Bronx, dominating their three home games. Though the Dodgers forced a Game 7, they were hammered 9-0 in the clincher, and outscored 22-6 over the final five games. Dodgers starter Don Newcombe allowed 11 runs in two starts, while the Yankees got five complete games from their staff. New York was led offensively by Berra (1.248 OPS, 10 RBIs) and Enos Slaughter (.350/.440/.500).

The moment: Three days after failing to get out of the second inning, little-known Yankees right-hander Don Larsen became a baseball legend by tossing the first and only perfect game in World Series history.

1963: Dodgers 4, Yankees 0

MVP: Dodgers P Sandy Koufax (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 23 K)

Now a cross-country showdown, the first New York-L.A. playoff matchup in any sport was one of the most lopsided World Series ever. The Dodgers outscored New York 12-4 in the sweep - and used only four pitchers. Koufax threw two complete games, including the clincher at Dodger Stadium, en route to his first of two World Series MVPs, while his co-ace and fellow Hall of Famer Don Drysdale tossed a three-hit shutout with nine Ks in Game 3. This remains the only Dodgers World Series title clinched at home.

The moment: Koufax won the NL MVP and Cy Young in 1963, but he saved his best for October. His 15 strikeouts in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium set a then-World Series record and remains the single-game mark for left-handers.

1977: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2

MVP: Yankees OF Reggie Jackson (.450/.542/1.250, 5 HR, 8 RBIs)

The rivalry returned after a 13-year absence with a new generation of stars. New York walked off L.A. in a 12-inning thriller to open the series, and then took a 3-1 lead after the series shifted west, in part because Dodgers ace Don Sutton wasn't able to start Game 4 on short rest. Sutton pitched well in the Dodgers' Game 5 blowout win, but the Yankees took Game 6 at home to end their 14-year title drought. Despite losing the series, the Dodgers outscored New York 28-26 overall, and only had two fewer hits.

The moment: This was the Reggie Jackson show. Jackson became "Mr. October" with his signature performance in Game 6, hitting three homers on three pitches to tie Babe Ruth's record and clinch his second World Series MVP.

1978: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2

MVP: Yankees SS Bucky Dent (10-for-24, 7 RBIs)

The Dodgers started this rematch on the right foot, winning the first two games at home. Rookie Bob Welch struck out Jackson to save Game 2 in dramatic fashion. But the Yankees quickly found their groove once they got home. Ron Guidry, the 1978 AL Cy Young winner, dominated in Game 3, and New York came back to walk off a tense Game 4 in 10 innings. The Yanks then outscored L.A. 19-4 over the final two games to claim back-to-back titles. Jackson tortured the Dodgers again, hitting .391 with two homers and eight RBIs, though he didn't win MVP.

The moment: Trailing 3-1 in Game 4, the Yankees put two on with one out in the sixth inning. Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell appeared to have an easy double play, but his throw to first hit Jackson and ricocheted down the line, allowing Thurman Munson to score. Replays showed Jackson stuck his hip out to deflect the ball, but umpires didn't call interference and the run stood. The controversial play shifted momentum in New York's favor in the game and the series.

1981: Dodgers 4, Yankees 2

MVPs: Dodgers 3B Ron Cey (7-for-20, 6 RBI), OF Pedro Guerrero (1.179 OPS, 2 HR), and C Steve Yeager (4-for-14, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

The Yankees took the first two games at home and seemed in control. But a complete game from Dodgers rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela in Game 3 helped L.A. find its footing, and it took the series lead with three one-run wins at Dodger Stadium. In Game 6, Yankees starter Tommy John (0.69 ERA in 13 innings) cruised through four innings until manager Bob Lemon - in consultation with owner George Steinbrenner - pinch hit for John with two runners on in a tie game. The Yankees failed to score, and their bullpen allowed eight runs after John was removed, handing the Dodgers their fifth championship.

The moment: There were co-MVPs in this World Series for a reason. Down 1-0 in the seventh inning of Game 5, Guerrero and Yeager tagged Guidry for back-to-back homers in a 2-1 Dodgers victory. L.A. won the series three days later.