Opponents four times in the World Series, Steve Garvey and Reggie Jackson have a lot of history together. They have so much that when they get together, after normal pleasantries, the good-natured barbs start.

 

“We gave each other a kiss and I patted his hip to see if it’s still sore from the World Series game when he accidentally couldn’t get out of the way,” said Garvey, who was referring to Game 4 in the 1978 World Series when a Bill Russell throw ricocheted off the right hip of Jackson and away from the first baseman, who was waiting to complete the double play. The Yankees won that game and eventually took the series, 4-2.

 

But 32 years later during the recent Interleague series between the two teams, it was all smiles and reminiscence about the rivalry, which has pitted the Dodgers and Yankees against each other a MLB-high 11 times.

 

 “I think it’s great to see the Dodgers and Yankees, enjoy it, see all the people and those uniforms run onto the field,” said Jackson. “

 

“The Dodgers and Yankees have arguably the two greatest histories in baseball,” said Garvey. “And every time we played it was special. Dodgers and Yankees in a World Series – it doesn’t get any better than that. Something was always happening. And when it was all said and done, the best team won.”