The 1964 Topps baseball card #101 features former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed starting pitcher Johnny Podres. Podres spent his entire 12-year MLB career with the Dodgers franchise from 1953 to 1964. As one of the key veteran pitchers on the 1955 World Series championship team, Podres had a very memorable postseason that year which made him a Dodgers legend.
Born in 1931 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Podres grew up a fan of the Dodgers and developed into a standout pitcher in high school. He was signed by Brooklyn as an amateur free agent in 1950 and spent several seasons in their minor league system developing his skills before getting called up to the majors in 1953. His rookie season saw him post a 10-4 record mostly in relief, showcasing his natural talents.
Over the next few seasons, Podres began to transition into the Dodgers’ starting rotation. In 1954, he had a breakout year going 16-7 with a stellar 2.81 ERA across 29 games started. This established Podres as one of the premier left-handed pitchers in the National League at just 23 years old. His strong performance helped lead the Dodgers to their first World Series title since moving to Brooklyn in 1955.
That 1955 World Series against the New York Yankees is what cemented Johnny Podres’ legacy. In Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Podres threw a complete game 2-hitter to shut down the mighty Yankees, handing them just their third Series loss at home. This set the tone for the upset Dodgers victory. Then in Game 7 back in Brooklyn, the pivotal championship-deciding game, Podres once again grabbed the ball and tossed a complete game gem. Needing every out, he blanked the Yankees 8-0 to deliver Brooklyn its first and only World Series title. Podres was named World Series MVP, a well-deserved honor for the clutch lefty.
After the high of 1955, Podres continued to serve as a steady force in the Dodgers rotation throughout the late 1950s. He posted winning records every season between 1956-1959 including a career-high 18 wins in 1958. Podres was usually good for 30-35 starts per year and around 200-220 innings pitched while keeping his ERA below 3.50 each season. His durable, effective pitching was crucial for the consistently competitive Dodgers teams.
Entering the 1960s, Podres remained a mainstay despite some injuries slowing him at times. He helped the Dodgers reach the 1963 World Series against the York Yankees but took the loss in Game 2. It would be Podres’ final postseason appearance before injuries forced his retirement after 1964 at just 33 years old. When all was said and done, Johnny Podres spent a dozen seasons in Dodger blue compiling a 113-99 record, 3.60 ERA, and 1,967 strikeouts across 1,905.2 innings pitched in 344 games and 282 starts.
The 1964 Topps baseball card #101 effectively captures Johnny Podres in his later career with the Dodgers. By this point injuries were limiting his playing time but he still pitched reasonably well when on the mound. The photo shows a smiling Podres in the Dodgers home pinstripes from 1963. In the foreground is a graphic displaying his career stats up to that point. The reverse side provides a brief career recap of Podres’ accomplishments especially his invaluable contributions to Brooklyn’s lone World Series title in 1955.
Even after retiring from baseball in the mid-1960s, Johnny Podres remained deeply connected to the Dodgers organization. He worked for them for several decades in various coaching and front office roles. Podres was also beloved by Dodgers fans, especially those from his Brooklyn days, for his clutch performances that delivered the city its championship. In 2001, Podres was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame recognizing his achievements as one of Canada’s top MLB players ever. He passed away in 2008 but left an indelible legacy as a gritty, competitive lefty who shined brightest on the grandest stages. The 1964 Topps #101 endures as a classic reminder of Johnny Podres’ excellent career as a Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.
