1964 NLCS vs Dodgers
The '64 pennant race defined the rivalry before the playoff era began.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers share one of baseball's most storied rivalries, but a specific historical misconception often surrounds the year 1964. While fans frequently recall intense battles between these clubs during this era, there was no National League Championship Series (NLCS) in 1964; that playoff format was not introduced until 1969 following league expansion. Instead, the rivalry played out through a grueling regular-season pennant race where every game counted toward the World Series berth.
- Event Status
- Regular Season Pennant Race
- NLCS Existence
- None (Introduced in 1969)
- Cardinals Record
- 93–68
- Dodgers Record
- 90–72
- League Outcome
- Cardinals Won NL Pennant
- World Series Opponent
- New York Yankees
Lore & Background
This era represents a distinct chapter in franchise history where the rivalry was tested by endurance rather than elimination brackets. The memory of 1964 remains vital to Cardinals lore because it highlights the grit required before modern playoff structures existed. It serves as a reminder that the team's legacy is built on winning regular-season battles just as fiercely as championship series.
In Their Own Story
The air in St. Louis was thick with humidity and anticipation on the final day of October. Fans lined up hours early at Busch Stadium I, their red jerseys bright against the grey sky. Bob Gibson stepped onto the mound, his focus absolute. There were no extra innings to wait for; this game would decide destiny. As he delivered a sharp fastball, the crowd roared, knowing that one more strikeout kept New York away and secured the pennant for the Birds.
Reader's Guide
The rivalry between St. Louis and Los Angeles is rooted in decades of competition across different eras of baseball structure. In 1964, the competitive landscape lacked divisional playoffs; teams simply raced to finish first in the league standings.
This context explains why no NLCS occurred that year. The National League Championship Series was created in 1969 when the league split into East and West divisions. Before then, the pennant race itself functioned as a season-long playoff with no second chances.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate historical appreciation. While the intensity of the '64 matchup rivals any modern series, it was resolved through cumulative performance rather than a bracketed tournament. The Cardinals' victory in 1964 set the stage for their World Series appearance against the Yankees.
Did You Know?
- The NLCS did not exist until the 1969 season following MLB expansion.
- Ken Boyer won the National League MVP award for the Cardinals in 1964.
- Bob Gibson was named the National League Cy Young Award winner that year.
- The Dodgers finished three games behind the Cardinals in the final standings.