World Series foes have rich history, little in common

Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream.

Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.

Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. “Sweet Caroline” or “I Love L.A.”

Yet for all their rich history - dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound - the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.

In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.

Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.

That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?

Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon - Dave Roberts, ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic.

“Two storied franchises, that draws more interest,” Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler said Sunday.

Roberts is sure to draw a big cheer when the teams line up for pregame introductions. He’s still a fan favorite in Boston for his daring stolen base that sparked an unprecedented comeback from a 3-0 deficit against Mariano Rivera and the rival Yankees in the 2004 AL Championship Series.

The Red Sox went on to end their 86-year title drought by sweeping St. Louis in the World Series. This week, Boston will try for its fourth championship in 15 seasons.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Fenway. Obviously for me personally, I have a lot of fond memories of the Red Sox and Fenway Park,” Roberts said.

This also marks the first time both Series managers have played for each team.

MVP candidate Mookie Betts and the Red Sox posted a team-record 108 wins, a big payoff for the team with the top payroll in the game. Boston pushed past New York in the AL Division Series and then quickly dispatched the defending champion Astros in the ALCS.

A tremendous right fielder, Betts might move to second base when the Series shifts to Dodger Stadium to make room for slugger J.D. Martinez when the Red Sox lose their designated hitter slot.

“That’s the best team in the game right now. We respect that,” Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said. “But we know that we’re good.”

Los Angeles is aiming for its first championship since Kirk Gibson, Orel Hershiser and Tommy Lasorda brought home the crown in 1988. A year after dropping Game 7 at home to Houston, Justin Turner and the crew with the third-highest payroll beat Colorado in a tiebreaker for the NL West title, chased Atlanta in the NLDS and topped Milwaukee 5-1 on Saturday night in Game 7 for the pennant.

In Game 1, Red Sox rooters might even take up the familiar chant of “Beat LA!”

It’s been heard for years in Boston, albeit in a different arena. That’s what Celtics fans echoed during the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry. Fitting, maybe, the former Lakers star is a part-owner of the Dodgers.

The two baseball franchises first tangled for real in the 1916 World Series. The Babe pitched all 14 innings - in a tidy 2 hours, 32 minutes - as Boston beat Brooklyn 2-1 in Game 2. The Red Sox wound up winning in five games.

There has been a little crossover between these two clubs, but not much.

Buckner was a young outfielder when he helped the Dodgers reach the 1974 World Series. He was a gimpy first baseman when he let that ball roll through his legs as Boston blew the 1986 Series.

Pedro Martinez began his big league career with Los Angeles before becoming a dominant force for Boston. Manny Ramirez was an eccentric slugger for the Red Sox who took his act to Mannywood out West.

Big names will be in the stands this week, too.

Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and a packed crowd bundled on a New England night, maybe. It could be in the upper 30s at Fenway, the oldest ballpark in the majors.

Warren Beatty, Ashton Kutcher and sun-splashed fans basking in the glow of the San Gabriel Mountains. It was a record 103 degrees for the opener last year at Dodger Stadium, at 56 the third-oldest park.

Whatever the temperatures, a hot World Series is on deck.