For the First Time in 102 Years...

...we're going to have a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series. 1916, the fifth year of Fenway Park. And that's where baseball's Fall Classic will begin Tuesday night.
Cody Bellinger's two-run homer in the top of the 2nd inning -- which followed that stunning two-out bunt single by Manny Machado -- erased an early Brewer lead, put the Dodgers ahead to stay and hushed the Miller Park crowd. L.A. won it 5-1, with Yasiel Puig's three-run dinger in the 6th sealing the deal.
Walker Buehler steadied after giving up Christian Yelich's 1st inning home run -- a parade of Dodger relievers, capped by Clayton Kershaw, followed to keep Milwaukee off the board. And for the first time in 40 years, the Dodgers had won back-to-back National League pennants. It's the franchise's 20th trip to the World Series -- which ties their forever rivals, the Giants, for the most in NL history.
Take a moment, think back to 1916 -- Babe Ruth is Boston's young ace; in game two, he threw a 14-inning complete game, allowing the Dodgers -- actually, the Brooklyn Robins -- just one run, six hits and three walks. It's so early in his career that he didn't moonlight as an outfielder on his "between days."I'm sure his name will come up during the broadcasts. Brooklyn's right fielder -- and leading hitter in the series at .364-- will also probably be name checked: Casey Stengel.
OK, back to present tense. You'll hear more about Bellinger -- the NLCS MVP -- as well as Puig, Matt Kemp, Justin Turner and Chris Taylor. In the other dugout, Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, JD Martinez, Jackie Bradley Jr and Xander Bogaerts. Two talent-laden, high payroll clubs, facing off for baseball's ultimate prize.
(My image of Bellinger is from the August 5th, 2017 Dodgers/Mets game in New York.)

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