After a staggering 43-year wait, baseball fans are finally poised for a historic showdown as the New York Yankees face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers on baseball’s biggest stage once again. This isn’t just a game; it’s the culmination of decades of dominance, where the Yankees have historically owned this rivalry, capturing eight of the eleven World Series titles contested against the Dodgers. For many, this matchup signifies more than a moment in time—it embodies a lifetime of anticipation, especially for those in California, where the sun-soaked landscape has often played host to talent that ultimately dons the pinstripes of New York. With three of the Yankees’ biggest keys to success hailing from the Golden State, the narrative deepens: it’s a clash not just of teams, but of cultures, where the Empire State has long overshadowed the West Coast in this storied rivalry. As we prepare for this monumental showdown, the stage is set for a thrilling battle that transcends time and geography.
The Ace from Orange County
The Yankees’ ace and reigning Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole, hails from Southern California, specifically the city of Orange. He attended Orange Lutheran High School, where his powerful arm and exceptional talent on the mound quickly garnered attention. Cole was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft, however, opted not to sign and instead attended UCLA where he played college baseball for the Bruins. The Pittsburgh Pirates later made Cole the first overall selection in the 2011 MLB draft.
The California native weighed his options during free agency in 2019, considering offers from two home-state teams, the Angels and Dodgers, as well as the cross-country Yankees. Ultimately, he chose to join the Yankees, fulfilling a lifelong dream—after all, he had proclaimed since childhood that he was a Yankee fan today, tomorrow, and forever.
Absolute bulldog. Thats our ace. #repbx pic.twitter.com/Q4nZuPPSWR
— JP_YankeesGirl (@90syankskid) September 27, 2024
It’s only fitting that the Southern California native will take the mound for Game 1 of the World Series, kicking off in LA on Friday. Cole boasts a 3.31 ERA with a 12:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 16.1 innings in three postseason starts, including a standout performance in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Royals, where he allowed just six hits and struck out four before handing the ball to the bullpen.
Cole was in the midst of a rehab assignment for an elbow injury when the Yankees faced the Dodgers during the regular season, so he hasn’t pitched against them since last year, when he threw six innings of one-run ball at Dodger Stadium. However, notably, he has limited Hollywood’s $700 million superstar, Shohei Ohtani, to just 4-for-20 with 3 RBIs in 21 career plate appearances.
From Sherman Oaks to ALCS MVP
Giancarlo Stanton “Big G” was born in Panorama City, California, and raised in the nearby San Fernando Valley where he excelled in both baseball and football. Stanton attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft, and was later traded to the Yankees in 2017.
The five-time MLB All-Star has been a consistent thorn in the side of the Yankees’ opponents this postseason. With an impressive .294/.385/.794 batting line, he has recorded 10 hits in 34 at-bats, including 5 walks, 5 home runs, and 11 RBIs.
In addition to his 429 career home runs during the regular season, he has now hit 16 in the postseason, making him the all-time leader for homers in a player’s first 36 playoff games. This achievement places him in sole possession of fourth place in Yankees postseason history, surpassing both Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth, who each hit 15. Stanton’s home runs in Games 4 and 5 of the ALCS were pivotal in leading the Yankees to their 41st trip to the World Series—the most by any Major League team.
This shot of Stanton's home run is ridiculous 🤯 #ALCS pic.twitter.com/g2D2nfVYAP
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2024
The 34-year-old was named the ALCS MVP, which adds this title to his lengthy list of accolades in his 18th year in MLB, alongside the 2017 MVP, two Silver Slugger awards, and two Hank Aaron awards.
MVP! MVP! MVP! pic.twitter.com/daEu92Xw4z
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 20, 2024
“It’s a special moment for me, a special time,” Stanton said as he clutched his MVP trophy. “But this ain’t the trophy I want. I want the next one.”
From farm country to the Bronx
The Captain, Aaron Judge, was born and raised in Linden, California, a small farming community just north of San Francisco. He was adopted shortly after birth by Patty and Wayne Judge, who nurtured his love for sports from a young age. He attended Linden High School, where he stood out as an exceptional three-sport athlete. After graduating, Judge went on to play college baseball at Fresno State, where his impressive performance caught the attention of Major League scouts. In 2013, he was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the MLB Draft and made his debut in 2016.
On the brink of free agency, the six-time MLB All-Star made history in 2022 by surpassing the American League single-season home run record, hitting 62 home runs and breaking Roger Maris’s long-standing mark of 61. Following the 2022 season, Judge entered free agency, turning away lucrative offers to head back to his home state California, including a $400 million proposal from the Padres and a $360 million offer from the Giants, which came with an additional year. Ultimately, the pinstripes won out, yet again, signing him to a nine-year contract worth $360 million, and naming him the franchise’s 16th Captain.
The 6’7” outfielder carved out another historic regular season this year in which he nearly matched his own home run record with 58 while leading the league in RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and walks. He is a strong favorite to be named the AL MVP.
This postseason, Aaron Judge has faced challenges, going just 5-for-31 with seven walks and taking a backseat to Giancarlo Stanton, who hit four home runs in the ALCS and earned MVP honors, as well as Juan Soto, whose tiebreaking three-run home run in the 10th inning of ALCS Game 5 was crucial in securing the Yankees’ first pennant since 2009. Although Judge contributed two key homers—one that sealed the victory in Game 2 and another that tied the game at three in the eighth inning of Game 3—it’s clear to those who have followed his season that he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. With the Dodgers featuring significant offensive firepower and a formidable bullpen, the Yankees will need the best version of Judge to triumph in a seven-game series. Ideally, Stanton and Soto will maintain their postseason momentum while Judge joins them in making a major impact.
The Unofficial OG Subway Series
Starting Friday at Dodger Stadium, the two most illustrious Major League teams—who were once crosstown rivals—will meet in the World Series for the 12th time. This rivalry leads all other square offs in World Series history, outpacing the Yankees and Giants, who have faced each other seven times.
With Aaron Judge and the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, a rare occurrence of a matchup between the AL and NL MVP in the World Series will occur for just the 29th time in 120 years of the Fall Classic. It is so rare, in fact, this will be just the seventh time since the the start of the Divisional Era in 1969.
Regardless of the outcome, the original Subway Series should have been reserved for the historied teams that spanned from Brooklyn to the Bronx.
