Only 60 more entries to go on this MLB Monday miniseries, right? Yes, we’re making a joke, although we’re also just 20 more columns away from having a Manager of the Year vote to assess. So, there’s a lot of happening this time around the block—including a rare World Series sweep of the New York Yankees. This was the first time this had happened since 1922, and it wouldn’t happen again until 1976. Shocking? Maybe.

1963 World Series MVP: Sandy Koufax, SP, Los Angeles (NL) (original, confirmed)

The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Yankees by a combined score of 12-4, so run scoring was at a premium, for sure. Dodgers southpaw Sandy Koufax (2-0, 1.50 ERA) was named the Series MVP by the media, and on the surface, it’s hard to disagree with the guy who beat the Bronx Bombers in Game 1 on the road and Game 4 at home. But due diligence means we have to look, at least topically, at other candidates on the L. A. roster.

Only two other possible candidates emerge, really: former Yankees first baseman Bill Skowron (.385 BA, 1.044 OPS, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and fellow starter Don Drysdale (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Moose was the most impactful hitter in this short matchup, while Drysdale only got one start compared to his rotation buddy—but it was perhaps the single-most important start of the Fall Classic: Game 3. He tossed a 3-hit shutout to quiet N.Y.

While Koufax did outduel 1961 Series MVP Whitey Ford twice, Drysdale was more dominant in his singular effort: he allowed just four baserunners in 9 IP, while Koufax put on 15 guys in 18 IP, for example. Plus, there is the added importance that the Yankees were fired up in Game 3 to get back in the matchup and make a statement as the two-time defending champs. Drysdale basically clinched the Series with his effort.

That left a dejected N.Y. lineup in Game 4 for Koufax, too. We know we’re reading a lot into this psychologically, and with more stats being equal (like IP, for example), that could matter. But it’s hard to overlook Koufax’s 23 Ks in his two starts, as well, which left Yankees hitters dazed and confused. Skowron was good, but so was left fielder Tommy Davis (.400 BA, 1.067 WHIP, 2 RBI). We will confirm Koufax’s nod.

1963 AL MOTY: Ralph Houk, New York

The Yankees won the pennant by 10.5 games over the Chicago White Sox, and Manager Ralph Houk (plus-4 PPP) posted the best Pythagorean effort of all the winning clubs in the American League. That clinches it, easily, as both the White Sox and Minnesota Twins (13 GB) managers finished in the red for the year. Houk may have been on cruise control somewhat here, but that’s all he needed to be, really, for his second trophy.

1963 NL MOTY: Walter Alston, Los Angeles

The Dodgers won the pennant by 6 games over the St. Louis Cardinals, and Manager Walter Alston (plus-7 PPP) posted the best Pythagorean effort of all the winning clubs in the National League. That clinches it, easily, as every other manager of a winning team in the league finished in the red for the year. Shocking, really. This is Alston’s sixth nod from us, which is moving him up the ranks of the all-time greats, quickly.

L.A. should not have won this pennant; it was the Cards to lose—and they did, while Alston maximized his roster’s talent to take the flag. Very impressive, although we will point out that the top PPP effort in the NL came from Houston Colt .45s’ Manager Harry Craft (plus-8). But his team won just 66 games while finishing ninth. Still, that’s an impressive effort in a void, nonetheless.