the almost daily dodger - johnny podres

here's an insert from 2015 topps featuring dodger pitcher (and original padre) johnny podres

the "stepping up" related to this card refers to podres' performance during the 1955 postseason. he was 2-0 in two starts during the series against the yankees, with both starts resulting in complete games. of course, the second start was game 7 in which podres threw a shutout to secure the franchise's first world series title.

after podres' mvp winning performance to close out the 1955 season, he promptly "stepped up" into military service and missed the 1956 season.  and, i learned from night owl's blog recently that podres also "stepped up" into the title of sports illustrated's sporrtsman of the year in 1955 after the death of horse breeder bill woodward jr. that is quite a rabbit hole to go down, by the way.