Sept. 24, 1963 - The Dodgers clinched the National League pennant today when their final challengers, the St. Louis Cardinals, bowed to the Cubs, 6-3. The defeat was the sixth straight for the Cards. The Dodger celebration was put aside until tonight’s official victory party, which took place in the stadium club at Chavez Ravine after the meaningless 4-1 win over the Mets for Don Drysdale’s 19th victory. Most of the players and club officials learned in mid-afternoon that the Cardinals had lost, ending the pennant race. They were at home or at their offices. “It was funny,” said Don Drysdale happily. “I didn’t feel a thing. I mean, it was only a question of time.” “I heard the last inning on the radio,” said Manager Walter Alston, “but I was in a dentist’s chair.” For Alston, vindication was strong. He was frequently charged with past Dodger failures. His front office stood by him, however, and he has been at his post for 10 years, longer than any other manager now in the majors. In 1955, his Dodgers gave Brooklyn its first world championship when they beat the Yankees in 7 games. The 1963 Series opens a week from Thursday at Yankee Stadium, when Sandy Koufax will oppose fellow southpaw White Ford. This will be the seventh Dodger-Yankee meeting in the World Series. New York boasts a 6-1 edge, scoring victories in 1941-47-49 and in 1952-53-56. One of the first “outsiders” to enter the L.A. clubhouse to offer congratulations today was the captain of the 1962 Dodgers, Duke Snider. He was deprived of being with his seventh Dodger pennant winner when he was sold to the Mets just before this season opened. “They deserved the pennant,” said Duke. “They won the big ones. I’ve got a lot of faith in this club.” Moose Skowron, who played for the Yankees in seven World Series, said: “It’ll be a thrill and an honor to play against my old teammates. I only faced Whitey once in an instrasquad game. I grounded out. I only wish I’d made a contribution to the Dodgers this year. Deep down inside, I don’t feel that I gave a thing to them.” One newsman asked Dodger southpaw Johnny Podres, “What do you think of the heralded Yankee power?” “I’ll stick their bats in their ears,” predicted Johnny.
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