Oct. 3, 1962 - One of the most dramatic and nerve-racking pennant races in years came to an astounding end today when the San Francisco Giants vanquished the Dodgers, 6-4, in the third and deciding game of the National League playoff. Before an incredulous Los Angeles crowd of 45,693, the Dodgers, holding a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning, simply fell apart. Al Dark’s San Franciscans jammed four runs across the plate that inning on two singles, four walks, and a Dodger error. Thus the Giants, after winning their 17th National League pennant, will face the American League champion Yankees in the World Series, which opens in San Francisco tomorrow. Ironically, 11 years ago today, the Giants brought the Dodgers down in the ninth inning of the deciding playoff game on the wings of Bobby Thomson’s electrifying three-run homer. After tonight’s game, the Dodgers shut themselves up in the dressing room and locked the door for 45 minutes. Finally, they sent out Wally Moon, their player representative. “It’s rough,” Moon said, his voice shaking. “How would you feel if you had just blown $12,000?” That could be the winner’s share in the 1962 World Series.
