Johnny Podres was an American professional baseball player who had a significant impact on the sport during his career. He was a left-handed pitcher who played primarily for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, with brief stints at the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres.

Podres made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953. He quickly established himself as a talented and reliable pitcher, earning a reputation for his skill and tenacity on the mound. However, it was in the 1955 World Series that Podres truly made his mark. In Game 7 against the New York Yankees, he pitched a complete game shutout, leading the Dodgers to their first World Series championship. For his performance, Podres was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, the first player to ever receive this award.

Podres continued to excel in the following seasons, earning four All-Star selections in 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1962. He was a key player in the Dodgers' move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, helping the team win another World Series in 1959. His performance in the 1959 World Series was particularly impressive, as he won two games, including the decisive Game 6.

In 1966, Podres was traded to the Detroit Tigers, where he played for one season before moving to the San Diego Padres in 1967. He retired from professional baseball in 1969, ending a career that spanned 15 seasons.

Over the course of his career, Podres won 148 games, recorded a 3.68 earned run average (ERA), and struck out 1,435 batters. He was known for his changeup, a pitch that he used to great effect throughout his career. Despite his success, Podres was often overshadowed by his teammates, many of whom are now in the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, his contributions to the Dodgers' success during the 1950s and 1960s cannot be overstated.

After retiring as a player, Podres served as a pitching coach for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was widely respected for his knowledge of the game and his ability to mentor young pitchers.

Johnny Podres passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the greatest pitchers in Dodgers history and a key figure in the team's early success in Los Angeles. His performance in the 1955 World Series remains one of the most memorable in baseball history, and his contributions to the sport have earned him a place in the annals of baseball greatness.

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