Last Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series: Revisiting the 1981 rosters, ticket prices and more to know

Some roll their eyes at a Yankees vs. Dodgers matchup in the World Series, and that’s understandable. They’re the two biggest-market teams in baseball, and each went out and added a Hall of Fame caliber player last offseason simply because they could.

There’s no telling what the future might bring, but the reality is a New York vs. Los Angeles World Series just hasn’t been all that common in recent years. In fact, the 2024 World Series is the first between the Yankees and Dodgers in more than four decades.

A rivalry that began in the boroughs of New York City might not be what it was 70 years ago, but the sheer number of stars in this year’s Fall Classic could make it a special series.

Here’s a look back at the last World Series featuring both the Yankees and Dodgers, including the rosters for each team.

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When was the last Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series?

The Yankees and Dodgers last faced off in the World Series in 1981, so it’s been quite some time since these two longtime powerhouses met in the postseason despite their history. The Dodgers won the series in six games for the third World Series victory in 11 matchups with the Yankees.

The 1981 World Series marked the third Yankees-Dodgers Fall Classic in a span of five years, and it came at the end of a season that was interrupted by a players’ strike for two months. Both the Yankees and Dodgers struggled after the resumption of the season, posting a combined record of 52-52 from that point, but October brought out the best in each team. 

The Yankees appeared to be headed for their ninth World Series win over the Dodgers after winning each of the first two games at home without star Reggie Jackson, but they lost all three games in Los Angeles and lost the series at home in Game 6.

All three of the Dodgers’ wins at home came by one run. Los Angeles eked out Game 3 and did the same in Games 4 and 5 before winning convincingly in Game 6 with the Yankees’ backs against the wall.

The 1981 World Series MVP award was split between three players: Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, marking the first time the award went to multiple players. 

1981 World Series ticket prices

No database shows the exact value of the cheapest or most expensive tickets from the 1981 World Series, but tickets from the series publicly listed for sale as memorabilia today have prices on them. It’s tough to find any 1981 World Series ticket that went for more than $20, even for lower-level seating at Yankee Stadium or Dodger Stadium.

The comparison to today is stunning. The cheapest tickets available on the secondary market are well over $1,000 for both stadiums, making Yankees vs. Dodgers extraordinarily difficult to get into. 

Those who say baseball’s influence is dying might take a step back after seeing how in-demand these tickets are for a series for is set to feature five MVPs. 

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1981 Yankees roster

The 1981 Yankees had three future Hall of Famers on their roster in Gossage, Jackson, and Winfield. In a pitching-friendly year, New York leaned on its rotation. Dave Righetti, Ron Guidry, and Tommy John all turned in strong seasons, and Gossage had a 0.77 ERA in the closer’s role.

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1981 Dodgers roster

The Dodgers’ rotation was led by Fernando Valenzuela, but they could hit for contact. Pedro Guerrero and Dusty Baker both hit .300 or better, while Rick Monday had an OPS north of 1.000 in 66 games during the shortened season.