GLENS FALLS, N.Y. --- Johnny Podres , who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their only World Series title in 1955, died Sunday at age 75.

A spokesman for Glens Falls Hospital confirmed Podres' death but said he didn't know any details.

The lefty was picked for four All-Star games and was the first Most Valuable Player in World Series history. He became a hero in Brooklyn when the Dodgers ended decades of frustration by beating the Yankees in the World Series.

It was Brooklyn's only World Series victory. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.

Podres won Game 3 after the Dodgers lost the first two at Yankee Stadium, 8-3, at Ebbets Field, going the distance on his 23rd birthday.

In the climactic Game 7, at Yankee Stadium, Podres shut out New York, 2-0, on eight hits, relying on his fastball and a deceptive changeup.

As the story goes, Podres told his teammates to get him just one run and the Dodgers would win.

Years later, Podres was uncertain he made such a brash statement.

"I don't know if I said it or not. That's what they said I said," Podres recalled in 2005. "Probably young and dumb -- something like that would haunt you your whole life. ... You put on a big league uniform, you've got to think you're pretty good."

Podres' career spanned 15 years with the Dodgers, in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres. He retired in 1969 at age 36 with a lifetime record of 148-116.

Podres also served as a pitching coach when he was older, helping develop Frank Viola when he was with the Minnesota Twins and Curt Schilling when he was on the Philadelphia Phillies' staff.

BRAVES: Completed a trade for center fielder Mark Kotsay , dealing reliever Joey Devine and a minor league pitcher to the Oakland Athletics.

The deal was finalized after Kotsay, who played only 56 games last year, was examined by Braves doctors. He had back surgery last spring, missed the first two months of the season and returned to the disabled list with back spasms in August.

"The back feels great," Kotsay said. "I started hitting before the holidays, which is the earliest I've ever hit before a season. I look forward to playing in Atlanta and playing a full season again."

The Braves received cash, with Oakland expected to pick up a sizeable portion of Kotsay's $7.35 million salary in the final year of his contract. Kotsay is eligible for free agency after 2008.

ALL-STAR EXCHANGE: Scott Rolen was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Toronto Blue Jays for Troy Glaus in a swap of All-Star third basemen that was finalized after both players passed physicals.

The 32-year-old Rolen, who requested a trade after last season, hit only 35 total homers the past three years while being hindered by a left shoulder injury that has required three operations.

The 31-year-old Glaus was hampered by a bad left foot last season while hitting 20 homers in 115 games.

BREWERS: Finalized a $7 million, one-year contract with center fielder Mike Cameron .

The outfielder hit .242 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI last season for the San Diego Padres. He is suspended for the first 25 games of next season after a second positive test for a banned stimulant. He blamed the test on a tainted supplement.

RANGERS: First baseman Chris Shelton was cut about a month after Texas acquired him in a trade to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Kazuo Fukumori .

METS: Don Cardwell , who pitched a no-hitter and helped New York win the 1969 World Series, died Monday. He was 72. Cardwell pitched for five major league teams from 1957-70. He finished 102-138 with a 3.92 ERA and 1,211 strikeouts.