The 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers season, while ultimately remembered for the team's relocation, also featured a full schedule of Major League Baseball action. The team competed in the National League, finishing with a respectable 84-70 record. This placed them in third position, 11 games behind the Milwaukee Braves, who went on to win both the National League pennant and the World Series. Despite the off-field distractions, the Dodgers' players delivered
a season of competitive baseball, showcasing individual talents and team efforts that contributed to their standing in the league.
Team Standings and Home Venues
In their 68th and final National League season in Brooklyn, the Dodgers secured a third-place finish. Their 84 wins against 70 losses resulted in a .545 winning percentage. Throughout the season, the team primarily played their home games at Ebbets Field, their iconic Brooklyn ballpark. However, as part of owner Walter O'Malley's efforts to pressure the city for a new stadium, the Dodgers also played eight home games at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey. This dual-venue approach was a unique aspect of their final season in the New York area.
The team's management included Walter O'Malley as president and one of the owners, alongside James & Dearie Mulvey and Mary Louise Smith. Buzzie Bavasi served as the general manager, while Walter Alston managed the team on the field. Fans could follow the games through television broadcasts on WOR-TV and radio coverage on WMGM, featuring announcers Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett, and WHOM with Buck Canel.
Pitching Staff Highlights
The 1957 Dodgers pitching staff featured a mix of established veterans and emerging talents. Among the starting pitchers, Roger Craig appeared in 32 games, pitching 111.1 innings, recording 6 wins and 9 losses with a 4.61 ERA and 69 strikeouts. Sandy Koufax, a future legend, pitched in 34 games, completing 104.1 innings, earning 5 wins and 4 losses, and posting a 3.88 ERA with an impressive 122 strikeouts. Carl Erskine contributed in 15 games, with 66.0 innings pitched, 5 wins, 3 losses, and a 3.55 ERA.
The relief pitching corps also played a crucial role. Clem Labine led the team in saves with 17, appearing in 58 games, and finishing with a 5-7 record and a 3.44 ERA. Ed Roebuck was another key reliever, with 8 saves, an 8-2 record, and a 2.71 ERA over 44 games. These pitchers, among others, were instrumental in the Dodgers' competitive performance throughout their final season in Brooklyn, even as the team's future remained uncertain.
