Joseph Kearns, who'd played George Wilson, died of a cerebral hemorrhage eight weeks before this episode aired.
Although his name still appears in the title credits, Joseph Kearns does not appear in this episode. Kearns collapsed while at home but he did not die immediately, so for two episodes - this one and "Dennis' Lovesick Friend" - his name continued to appear in the credits, and his absence was explained first (in this episode) that he was going on a trip, and then in the subsequent episode that he had gone back east to settle an estate.
Sandy Koufax refers to being bawled out by Walter Alston: Walter Emmons Alston was an American baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is best known for managing the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers between 1954 and 1976.
The title refers to the American baseball team Los Angeles Dodgers. The guest star is Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax who played an outstanding career for the Dodgers until arthritis cut his career short at the age of 30.