The history connecting the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers spans more than six decades, evolving from a surrogate family affair into one of Major League Baseball's most compelling modern showdowns. While traditional geographic rivalries grow out of shared city streets, this matchup was born from an exit. When the Brooklyn Dodgers packed up and headed west for California before the 1958 season, New York fans were left with a massive National League void. Four years later, the Mets arrived as an expansion franchise to heal those wounds, inadvertently adopting the blue of the departed Dodgers and the orange of the displaced New York Giants.
Understanding this timeline means looking past simple head-to-head records. It requires tracing how an organization built on former Brooklyn heroes grew into a championship spoiler, clashed in legendary October battles, and continually reinvented its narrative through decades of superstar rosters.
1962 to 1969: Humble Beginnings and the Miracle Met Transformation
The roots of the connection trace directly to Opening Day in 1962, which marked both the birth of the Mets and the opening of Dodger Stadium. To market the expansion team, general manager George Weiss and legendary manager Casey Stengel stacked the roster with former Brooklyn favorites, including first baseman Gil Hodges and pitcher Roger Craig.
- 1962: The expansion Mets finish with a dismal 40-120 record, establishing a modern standard for struggles while playing home games at the Polo Grounds.
- 1969: Led by former Dodger star Gil Hodges now serving as manager, the "Miracle Mets" complete an unthinkable worst-to-first turnaround, capturing the World Series title just seven years after the franchise's inception.
1988: The Epic Seven-Game National League Championship Showdown
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, both clubs fielded powerhouse rosters in the National League West and East divisions, but their paths rarely crossed when the stakes were highest. That changed dramatically in the autumn of 1988.
- October 1988: The Mets and Dodgers collide in an unforgettable seven-game National League Championship Series. The Mets feature a star-studded lineup including Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, entering the series as heavy favorites.
- Game 7, 1988: Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser puts on a masterclass, throwing a complete-game, six-hit shutout to blank New York 6-0 at Dodger Stadium, sending Los Angeles to the World Series.
2006 and 2015: October Rematches and Divisional Dramas
As Major League Baseball expanded its postseason structure, October meetings between the two franchises grew sharper, featuring high-stakes pitching duels and dramatic late-inning heroics.
- October 2006: The Mets sweep the Dodgers three games to none in the National League Division Series, powered by a dominant offensive surge and clutch bullpen work from manager Willie Randolph's squad.
- October 2015: The teams meet again in an iconic NLDS. Los Angeles counters with elite arms Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, but the young Mets rotation of Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard holds firm. Infielder Daniel Murphy captures headlines with a historic home run tear, lifting New York to a 3-2 series victory.
Modern Era: Star-Studded Showdowns in the 2020s
In recent seasons, the matchup has transformed into a collision of high-payroll titans, featuring global superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Francisco Lindor. Regular-season series regularly feature packed stadiums in Flushing and Chavez Ravine, showcasing high-velocity bullpens and explosive offenses that push both clubs to the top of the National League standings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Studying This Matchup
- Mistaking it for a geographic rivalry: Fans sometimes treat this like the Subway Series. Remember that the connection is historical and emotional, rooted in Brooklyn's relocation rather than shared city boundaries.
- Ignoring the front-office pipeline: Early Mets teams weren't just random acquisitions; they were intentionally seeded with former Dodgers and Giants personnel to capture displaced New York fans.
- Overlooking Gil Hodges' unique legacy: Hodges is uniquely tied to both franchises, winning a World Series as a player for Brooklyn in 1955 and managing the Mets to their 1969 title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Dodgers and Mets ever play each other in the World Series?
No. Because both teams play in the National League, a World Series meeting is impossible under traditional MLB formatting. They can only face each other in the regular season or the National League Championship Series and Division Series.
Why do the Mets wear blue and orange?
The colors are a direct tribute to New York's departed National League teams. The blue honors the Brooklyn Dodgers, while the orange honors the New York Giants, symbolizing the unification of New York baseball history under a single expansion banner.
Who won the 1988 postseason series between the two teams?
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 1988 NLCS four games to three, capped by Orel Hershiser's dominant shutout in Game 7 on their home turf.
How many times have they met in the postseason overall?
As of recent history, the franchises have squared off in multiple high-stakes postseason series, with memorable autumn clashes in 1988, 2006, and 2015. You can review MLB historical archives for complete box scores and seasonal standings.
