After 32 Years, The Drought Is Over
CLAYTON KERSHAW GETS HIS RING!!! We can put the Kirk Gibson HR and the Orel Hershiser team celebration into the Smithsonian, because we have new LA Dodgers World Series heroes. It took the 3rd time in 4 years for the Dodgers to finally cross the Championship line. Mookie proves to be a difference maker not only for the game but for a World Series Championship team. Corey Seager ends a
CLAYTON KERSHAW GETS HIS RING!!!
We can put the Kirk Gibson HR and the Orel Hershiser team celebration into the Smithsonian, because we have new LA Dodgers World Series heroes. It took the 3rd time in 4 years for the Dodgers to finally cross the Championship line. Mookie proves to be a difference maker not only for the game but for a World Series Championship team. Corey Seager ends a tremendous season and winning the NLCS MVP, tops it all with a WS MVP. Austin Barnes proves that a defensive catcher who gets a key hit (and key safety squeeze) once in a while can be such a positive force in a series, especially with the pitchers. I am so very proud of Austin Barnes. He has gone from being cast aside by so many “fans” to being a Dodger WS hero. Julio Urias proves to have ice water run through his veins as he dominates the last 2.1 perfect innings of a championship game with 4 Ks of the 7 outs. This was a team championship.
Of course not all of the news was great. Justin Turner, perhaps the backbone of this team, tests positive for COVID-19. JT says he feels great and has no symptoms. Doc was sitting next to JT for the team picture, both without masks. Prayers to JT for a quick recovery.
You have to play a full nine innings to beat the Dodgers. You can shut Mookie down for a game and 5 innings, but he is not going to let you beat him with a championship game on the line. Of course he had help from Kevin Cash. Dave Roberts was absolutely roasted for inserting Pedro Baez in with runners on base and KJ with the game on the line, and deservedly so. But Kevin Cash pulled Blake Snell, who was absolutely dealing, after Austin Barnes singled with one out in the 6th,for the Dodgers second hit on the night. Snell had thrown only 79 pitches. Snell had faced Betts, Seager, and JT twice each, and struck each of them out twice. Snell had 9 K’s in 5.1 IP. He was nasty (per Mookie) and gross (per Belli). However, as Cash has done all year, he brought in one of his best relievers, Nick Anderson, in high leverage situations, who promptly gave up a double on a 2-0 pitch to Mookie with Barnes moving up to 3rd. Austin scores on a wild pitch tying it up. Then Mookie scores on that dubious contact play on a Corey Seager ground ball to Choi trying to get Mookie at the plate.
In the 8th, Mookie leads off and sends an 0-2 86 MPH slider into the back wall of the left center bullpen for a HR and a 3-1 lead, the eventual final score.
Unsung heroes have to be the LAD bullpen. The Dodgers bullpen has caught a lot of flak throughout the last several years and especially during the 2020 playoffs, and especially Doc’s management of that bullpen. But in the two biggest games of the year, the bullpen was stellar. In games 5 and 6, the relievers pitched 12 innings, allowed 4 hits, 1 walk, and chalked up16 Ks. Game 6 was especially effective with 6 relievers putting up shutout 2 hit baseball in 7.2 IP. Doc apparently made the correct call on pulling Tony Gonsolin when he did, and inserting Dylan Floro who throws three changeups to strikeout Randy Arozarena in the 2nd inning. Alex Wood throws 2 perfect innings followed by some outstanding pitching from Baez, VGon, Graterol, and especially Julio Urias. Doc deserved credit for not pulling Urias in NLCS Game 7 for 3.0 IP against Atlanta, and deserved it again for leaving Urias in for 2.1 IP in Championship game, ending it in style with a K of Mike Brosseau and Willy Adames.
The Dodgers were under the microscope with extreme pressure as soon as the season started. It was a shortened season due to the virus, and the completion of the season was always in doubt. They were targeted by all as the best and deepest team in all of MLB, and it wasn’t close. They ended the season with an MLB best 43 wins. They beat the teams with the 2nd (SD) and 3rd (ATL) best records in the NL to get to the WS, and then beat the AL #1 team to win the WS. The Dodgers proved to the Baseball World that they were the best, and this WS will mean as much as 1988, 1981, 1965, 1963, 1959, and 1955.
It was great to hear Doc say thank you to Ross Stripling. I know that it was heartfelt, and as a huge Ross Stripling fan, I was glad to hear him recognized on this special night.
Kevin Cash was an absolute class act with some tough questions asked by Ken Rosenthal. He gave the Dodgers props and he thought that as well as Snell was pitching that he did not want him to face the Dodgers for the third time. Tampa Bay was the #1 seed in the AL and got to Game 6 of the WS by doing all year what Cash did in Game 6. Kevin Cash will be second guessed for a looooooooong time on that one decision. By the way, I think Kevin Cash is a fantastic manager. He made a judgement call that absolutely backfired. I bet if he is in that situation again, Snell stays in. The Rays were a class act, led by a class manager.
And the Rays were a class team. I will enjoy watching Randy Arozarena for years to come. Willy Adames may have to move over for Wander Franco, but both will be fun to watch. I hope Charlie Morton comes back for another run. Blake Snell will win another CY and Tyler Glasnow will grow from this WS. Manuel Margot has found a home in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Rays are legit and I am so happy that such a classy organization can make it to the WS and give the Dodgers are real fight. The best team won in 2020.
Maybe now we can give AF props as a great baseball executive. It has been said so many times that he cannot be called great because he has not won the final game of a baseball season. Now he has. Doc will continue to catch a lot of s***, but he is now the manager of a WS Champion. A lot of negative baggage can now be jettisoned. I am so very happy for AF and Doc. I am also happy for Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen, for being long tenured Dodgers who have been prominent for many years for this team, persevering, and winning a championship.
Corey Seager won the WS MVP, but it could have gone to Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, Austin Barnes, Joc Pederson…It was truly a team championship
Bobby, I am sorry you missed the WS, but I am so glad you get to spend today in LA. My son and daughter in law were hoarse when they called home.
In the coming days, we can and will digest the season, and look to 2021 and the future. This may have been the final game in a LAD uniform for JT, Joc, Kike’, Baez, Treinen, Wood, and McGee, but for now, I only want to think of them as World Champions. But…
As Doc proclaimed, THIS IS OUR YEAR!!!
Most days my favorite Rock Band is Freddie Mercury and Queen, and I needed to play the following all the while writing this post. To be followed by Randy Newman and I Love LA.
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Discussion (121)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Congratulations everyone, and especially to you Jeff for stepping up and keeping this place, that we all enjoy so much, going. Having other Dodger fans to share every season with makes supporting the team so much better for me.
You are actually 1/1 or Batting .1000 as our leader here. That can’t be beaten.
What a Rollercoaster. I couldn’t quite believe it when Cash pulled Snell. Poor fella, that’s gonna haunt him.
A real team effort that, and if you were watching that as a supporter of any other MLB team, I would imagine that you’d be rather worried that the Dodgers may only be getting started.
As it turned out, I think the NL was stronger than the AL this season.
Atlanta or possibly the Padres would have given Tampa a run for their money.
2020 may have been a strange year, but winning the WS this year was not diminished by Covid. No one can argue that wasn’t a proper season ultimately won by the best team.
I’m especially happy for all the Dodger players who had a rough time this season and took a lot of fan abuse, Barnes being top of the list, Woody, Muncy, etc. , and came through in the end. Here’s to the Dodgers being even better next year!
Great win, great series.
Really glad that this group was able to win it all before its broken up. Wish Ross could have been a part of it. Always like him.
Icing on the cake was Manfred getting just about booed off the stage and visibly shaken.
Would have gone with Kershaw for the MVP myself.
Okay for Queen to sing that song, but I hope no Dodgers do what some guys did in 81 and make a record of them singing it. Congrats to the entire team. To Dave Roberts who in my eyes redeemed himself this post season. To the much maligned, AF, who many times I have said exactly what Jeff said the the story. You have not achieved anything unless you win that last game of the year. To the Dodger bullpen which recieved more flak this year than a group of B=17 bombers over Berlin. When the chips were down, they did a fantastic job. To Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, rookies who at times have looked as seasoned as the rest of the vets. To Julio Urias, who when the season started I questioned his not attacking hitters. Tonight he went for the jugular. To CK, who has been ripped for years for now winning the big one. His game 5 performance was a gritty as they come. To Joc, Kike, Rios, Barnes, Beaty, Pollock, Taylor, all the guys who made huge contributions at times during the season. Edwin’s extra inning blast that beat the Cheeto’s is one of the best memory’s of a season that was like no other in MLB history. To Ross Stripling, who at the beginning of the season won 3 games and pitched well. He had some bad moments, but Ross was the quintessential team player. He always placed the needs of the team over his own. His debut against the Giants in SF when he pitched 7 plus no hit innings will always be a great memory. To Belli and Muncy who went through very trying seasons, were blasted by many, myself included, and yet did not let that affect their play when the chips were down. Muncy turned it around in the series, and Belli had a memorable homer in the NLCS. The team was under more pressure than most of us have ever faced. And I would be remiss to not mention the leadership and professionalism of Justin Turner. I have enjoyed his play from the first day he joined the team. And finally, to Mookie Betts. Mookie was all that was advertised and more. And I expect him to be better over the next few years. When fans are finally allowed back at Dodger Stadium, you can bet he is going to hear cheers as loud if not louder than anything he experienced in Boston. And to all the folks here on LADT who have shared this roller coaster ride with me. You guys are a great bunch…and so is our lady., DBM. As fans I have a lot of respect for all of you. You have accepted me as a contributor to the site, and I appreciate that more than you know. We might not always agree on everything, but we all love the same team. To Jeff, and Mark, 2D2, your great writing has inspired me to do the best I can. Harold, all of your articles are so informative. I can finally get a good nights sleep.
Here is a thought for all of you to ponder:
Did the Dodgers know that JT had gotten a positive test back but withheld it till nearing the end of the game? Something doesn’t sit right with me how this unfolded. I would think that whoever gets tested would get the result back before a game, not during. Now we’ll see if others were infected by this odd turn of events.
Within the WS bubble (is it really a bubble?), do the players venture out of their accommodations for meals, walks, bars? If you protect yourselves as you should, how do you get it, especially a savvy guy like JT?
I wanted to thank you, Jeff, and also Mark and all of the other contributors and commentators at LADT! What a fun and exciting ride! You guys made a big contribution to my mental state by giving us so much daily enjoyment for the past several months. It was the best antidote to the Covid blues I could imagine.
The ending last night was storybook, couldn’t have been scripted better. So many great stories this year: CK shaking off his demons, Urias emerging as a formidable pitcher, Barnes stepping up at the plate and being that stablizing presence behind the plate, the bullpen getting its act together in the end, Cory returning to his rookie year form, JT and Joc as Masters of October, Buehler lights out, Fresh Prince, Muncy, Kike, and Belli showing their stuff when it counted, and of course, Mookie!
And Doc showing us that he can make good in-game decisions, with the help of the players who executed. Hearing Doc’s speech made me realize what a class act he is. He went out of his way to single out Jansen, who had to give up the closer role, and Strip, who isn’t even on the team anymore. Doc didn’t have to do that. No wonder the players love him. And kudos also to the Rays, who are also a classy organization, and gave us the pleasure of dispensing with the Astericks. No asterick for this Dodgers world championship. They won it under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
Now we have something to enjoy until next year, when we will start criticizing and second-guessing everything and everyone, but all in the right spirit.
Go Blue!
A few thoughts.
I wonder how David Price is feeling today?
I wonder how our recently departed players, such as Rich Hill, Ryu, Maeda and David Freese and of course Ross Stripling feel?
Happiness for their old friends, or bitterness they’d been moved on?
Julio looks very different without his glasses.
I wonder which day of the week Manfred sobers up?
During the regular season, the Dodgers put up a 3.02 ERA as a team, which was #1 in baseball.
Their reliever ERA was 2nd to the A’s at 2.74.
In the Postseason, the Dodgers had a 3.42 ERA as a staff and their bullpen ERA was 3.64.
It gets tougher in the World Series as the Dodgers team ERA was 3.52, while the Rays was 5.54, and ultimately, the Dodgers had a better Bullpen ERA than the Rays. However, in the Postseason, it’s hard to sort out starters and relievers.
The key stat to me is the fact that the Rays gave up two more runs a game than the Dodgers. Yesterday was one of the best bullpen games EVER! 9 IP, 5 Hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, 16 Strikeouts!
Julio Urias was pitching on short rest but showed why he is a top-of-the-rotation starter. I was even impressed with Tony Gonsolin, who gave up the only run. In 1.2 IP he struck out 4.
We may say Goodbye to some players this offseason, but there is also a chance we keep some players. I love how Doc mentioned Ross Stripling. I am betting the Dodgers vote him a share and a ring! What class acts – throughout the organization!
Of course, we all remember the Kirk Gibson Home Run, but lest we forget, here is the last time the Dodgers clinched the World Series:
I agree, Mark, class throughout the organization. I wonder what Farhan Zaidi is thinking right now. Of course, he saw his opportunity in SF, but it isn’t easy to win a WS, as AF knows. I was impressed that AF actually apologized to Dodger fans for the fact that “it took so long.” You get the sense that he actually cares. Not at all arrogant. In fact, the opposite.
On the other hand, there is Manfred, an empty suit if there ever was one. When you lack integrity, people know it. If he was surprised by the boos, he is even more clueless than I thought.
Since Jeff will have more free time soon, I suggest that we nominate him as the new Commissioner. If he can moderate this blog, he can easily handle some cheating players and egomaniac owners!
I love the Clayton Kershaw quote: “We won the World Series. I don’t care about legacy, I don’t care about what happened last year…I don’t care at all. We won the World Series. The 2020 Dodgers won the World Series. Who cares about all that other stuff? It’s just pointless, doesn’t matter. We won, it’s great.”
Congrats Guys!!!
That was awesome
When someone tests positive for COVID-19, the results are sent by e-mail to the player, team, and MLB.
The results evidently came in during the game. The team and MLB knew it and JT was pulled immediately.
Like my Doctor told me: “85% of the people infected wore masks.” Masks help immensely, but there are lots of other ways you can accidentally get infected. There is nothing sinister here. Stuff happens!
Dodgers win, nothing more to add.
Congratulations to the Dodgers and everyone here who eats, drinks, breathes Dodgers as I do. We don’t all agree on many things, but our love for the Dodgers is strong. This was a well deserved championship from a freight-train of a team.
I’m so glad this is over. What a roller coaster ride of a series! So many lead changes. The Rays did not look like the 21st offense in baseball! It was very fitting that Cash Robertsed the Snell call and the post game show legends absolutely roasted him for it. The Rays remind me of the Dodgers of years past with too many platoons and a manager who can’t read the field in front of him, instead relying on his iPad to make decisions as ours has the propensity to do. But, for a night our guy was successful blending old school baseball with the new age.
Mookie is the spark that starts the engine, but Corey Seager put on a show! Clayton was less dominate and more gritty finally shaking the monkey off his back. Urias grew up before our eyes and Bueller established himself as THE BIG GAME PITCHER on the staff.
I am so looking forward to a repeat or a three peat with this team. The pitching staff is going to be incredible next year. Kershaw still has more in the tank, as does Price. Bueller and Urias are just getting started. No bullpen games next postseason, just a parade of horses, a hand full of aces.
Andrew doesn’t need to do too much this offseason. He did his big work by landing Mookie. Now, he just needs to figure out how to bring JT back and get some help for the pen. It will be sad to see Kike, Joc, Petey and some of the others move on, but it will be exciting to see some of the new kids start to grow up during next season.
I was really freaking out when Doc pulled Woody. It worked out well enough but man, he looked like he could have gone 5. Good job Doc, for not screwing it up. I sure hope he’s learning and this wasn’t just an aberration cuz it looks like he’s gonna be here a while longer …sadly.
Floro was clutch in the second inning. Two on, Arozarena at bat and he throws 3 perfect changeups to strike him out. The momentum changed right there.
It’s great that the Dodgers could win before the band gets broken up this winter.
Does anyone else but Mookie score on that ground out? His baseball acumen is off the charts. Can see why AF has coveted him since 2018.
Finally:
I’d like to thank Jeff D for handling this blog this season. Wish you the very best on your new adventure. To all the other writers, thank you for all the great articles. And last but not least, Mark, thanks for hosting this blog. Not sure of its future but if this is the end it was a glorious way to go out. Glad you don’t need immediate surgery.
To everyone, stay well and stay safe!
Just read the Rosenthal Athletic piece regarding Turner and though questions certainly do arise I think Friedman made a good point with this . … “But I think from our standpoint, I think the people who were around him were the people that would be in the contact tracing web anyway”. It is interesting that MLB was able to contain any spread through the season and in the middle of the last game this odd event happens. As for the picture, Turner has his mask in his hand so he was wearing it and everyone there obviously had already been exposed. Let’s hope this just fades into nothing.
When do we start talking about free agent signings and ridonkulous trades? Mark. The floor is yours.
Thank you Doc for not putting in Jansen for some sort of redemption. It’s about time you woke up.
Urias is my MVP!!
Wow, that was quick…
Open on www.espn.comhttps://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30206627/los-angeles-dodgers-favored-repeat-world-series-champs-2021Yesterday I commented before the game that it would really be fitting if Barnes turned out to be the hero since so many of us were ready to get rid of him earlier in the year.
Well……………………………if he doesn’t get that hit off of Snell, he might still be pitching. So in my mind, Barnes is the one who turned that game around. A true hero!
Corey Seager absolutely deserves the World Series MVP, but the Dodgers are not World Champions without Mookie Betts. IMO, the best ever Dodgers trade.
Even Boras should know now is the time to negotiate a Seager extension.
Congratulations to all Dodgers. This was a complete team effort. Doc did a great job of managing this game.
1. He let Gonzo pitch more than one inning.
2. He used Baez to start an inning.
3. He let a hot pitcher, Urias, finish the game.
4. He started Barnes at catcher.
5. He used basically the same line up through out the play offs.
When Cash pulled the starting pitcher, I said, that is a Doc move in past play offs. Doc has learned from his mistakes. That is all you can ask of any person.
I believe there will be more WS champions for the Dodgers. This team does not have many weaknesses.
AC, believe me, I’m soooooo happy that I am NOT on a plane to Dallas right now! Of course, who knows if there would even be a game 7 today, as I’m sure we’ll hear of several more positive tests on the Dodgers, I’m sure on the Rays, and maybe even an ump?
This is 2020, so none of this should shock anybody
Now, I need to go win the lottery so I can buy up lots of Lakers and Dodgers championship gear
Ok LADT nation. We all have to go back and reread all the comments from October 16th and see how silly most of us are. No one more than me. Good thing we’re the fans and not n charge of Dodger baseball! Fans can afford to be stupid!