Wood vs. Wood #295

Last time we had another easy win for 1987 - 7-0. Will 1962 fare better here?

Vern Law poses before a game at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. There's a Phillie running in the background. Johnny probably sees a camel in the shadow. Law was a bit of a late bloomer who started to become an excellent pitcher for the Pirates in his late 20s. At the age of 30 he had a career year, winning the 1960 NL Cy Young Award, going 20-9 and beating the Yankees twice in the World Series. However, he hurt his ankle that series and was never the same again, struggling to become even close to the pitcher he was before the injury. Overall in 483 games, all for Pittsburgh, he went 162-147 with a 3.77 ERA. After his playing career he was a coach in the major leagues, minor leagues, college ball and in Japan. He is now retired and living in Utah.

Len Dykstra scampers off third in a spring training game, while right behind him third base coach Bud Harrelson is locked in on the pitcher. Dykstra platooned with Mookie Wilson and was best known for his walkoff home run in the 1986 NLCS. He was traded to the Phillies in 1989 with Roger McDowell and Juan Samuel, a steal of a trade for Philadelphia. The Phillies made him a regular and he quickly became one of the best outfielders in the National League. He was an All Star three times, and in 1993, when he did not make the All Star team, he was second in MVP voting, leading the league in hits, walks, and runs scored. Overall in 5,282 games he hit .285 with 81 HR and 404 RBI. He was truly remarkable in October. In 32 postseason game he hit .321 with 10 HR and 19 RBI. Since his playing days he has been involved in a variety of legal and personal scandals. He suffered a stroke last year and is now living in Pennsylvania, and at last report was looking to start a charitable organization for stroke survivors.