Editorials

Dodgers’ Playoff Moment: Claude Osteen Turns Tide In 1965 WS

As the Dodgers anticipate their next opponent in the NLCS, our Dodgers playoff moment takes us back to  the 1965 World Series.

On this date in 1965, Dodgers left-hander Claude Osteen threw a complete game shutout against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium to cut the series deficit in half, 2-1.



The Twins defeated the Dodgers’ two aces, Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax and were looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Drysdale pitched Game 1 since Koufax said he wouldn’t pitch due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and the Dodgers lost 8-2.

In Game 2, Koufax took the loss as the Dodgers offense only mustered one run against Twins pitcher Jim Kaat and scored three runs through the first two games at Metropolitan Stadium.

However, Osteen picked up his fellow starters and the Dodgers by delivering a performance for the ages. He held the Twins to five hits while striking out just two as the Dodgers got back in the series with a 4-0 win.

Osteen was a forgotten pitcher on a team with Drysdale and Koufax but his outing was the turnaround in the series. In the regular season, Osteen went 15-15 with a 2.79 ERA as he threw 287 innings while striking out 162.

The Dodgers would go on to win the 1965 World Series in seven games, but may not have gotten there if it wasn’t for Osteen’s work in Game 3.

Here’s video from the great Game 3 performance by Osteen:

Staff Writer

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