This MLB Monday miniseries is sliding right through the 1960s like a hot knife through butter: we’re now halfway through the decade of turmoil, and we will soon be adding League Championship Series MVP picks to this column, too, even though those weren’t a voted-upon thing until the late 1970s. But hey, we’re always ahead of the times here on the Daily McPlay. Duh. No more blather; on with this week’s exciting analysis!

1965 World Series MVP: Sandy Koufax, SP, Los Angeles (NL) (original); Ron Fairly, RF, Los Angeles (NL) (revised)

The Los Angeles Dodgers won their third World Series in seven seasons out West, this time in the full set of games against the Minnesota Twins—a first-time participant in the Fall Classic. L.A. starting pitcher Sandy Koufax was named the Series MVP for his 2-1 record, 0.38 ERA, 0.750 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in just 24 innings. But our rule has been firm: no pitcher with a loss can win the World Series MVP, even this top dog.

In fact, every Dodgers starter took a loss against the Twins, so we have to look elsewhere. Luckily, right fielder Ron Fairly is a great candidate: he hit .379 with 2 HRs and 6 RBI for a 1.069 OPS in the matchup. L.A. actually had four players with OPS marks over .850 in the Series, although Fairly was the best of the bunch. But we can also check out the Twins for candidates, too? Nope. It’s Fairly here, hands down. Easy peasy.

1965 AL MOTY: Hank Bauer, Baltimore

The Twins won their first AL pennant by 7 games over the Chicago White Sox and 9 games over the Baltimore Orioles. Minnesota Manager Sam Mele (plus-2 PPP) did fine in competition with Chicago Manager Al López (plus-3 PPP) and Baltimore Manager Hank Bauer (plus-5 PPP), both prior winners here. But with that big lead and the lowest PPP mark, we can’t pick Mele. We’re going with Bauer, again, actually.

1965 NL MOTY: Walter Alston, Los Angeles

This an easy one, as the Dodgers won the pennant by 2 games—and Manager Walter Alston posted the highest PPP mark in the league (plus-5). This is his seventh nod from us, which is incredible, but this year was a great example of his awesomeness: the Cincinnati Reds had the best Pythagorean projection, with the Pittsburgh Pirates having the second-best projection (tied with Los Angeles). But Alston made it happen.

Reds Manager Dick Sisler (minus-4 PPP) may have cost his team the pennant, finishing fourth in a close race. Pirates Manager Harry Walker (minus-2 PPP) also didn’t help his team realize its full potential, ending up in third place. San Francisco Giants Manager Herman Franks (plus-4 PPP) was the only manager close to matching Alston, as he got his team into second place despite the fourth-best projection.