The merits of a rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have been debated at length over recent years and especially this season.
Multiple players on both sides, as well as outsiders, have given their opinion on the obvious animosity between the two Southern California teams, sharing mixed perspectives.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the answer is pretty simple, saying that a rivalry has indeed formed with the Padres over the past few seasons. Roberts used to be hesitant to say the Dodgers and Padres were rivals, but changed his mind after the 2022 season.
Upon his move from the Athletics to the Padres at the trade deadline, Mason Miller said he was quickly informed of the clubhouse’s opinion of the Dodgers.
Most recently, Los Angeles Lakers legend and Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson offered his opinion on the matter while speaking at 11th annual Dodgers All-Access event at Dodger Stadium.
Johnson answered questions from fans in attendance, including one asking which team is the Dodgers’ equivalent in relation to the bitter rivalry between the Lakers and Boston Celtics.
“Well right now it’s the Padres for us that we hate. But they hate us,” Johnson began. “When I first got here, it was the Giants. So many meaningful games against the Giants, it was something else. But I think now, between both fanbases and the teams, it’s the Padres.
“It’s good for baseball that you have that. Just like it was good for baseball when it was us and the Giants going up against each other.”
While Johnson’s answer gives another tally for the rivalry category, there are still some in the Dodgers organization who aren’t quite there yet. Back in June, Max Muncy downplayed that notion and said the Dodgers’ only true rival is the San Francisco Giants.
Debate figures to continue for years to come and there is the chance of opinions changing the longer the current trend between the Dodgers and Padres extends.
11th Annual Dodgers All-Access event
The evening provided more than 400 attendees with an opportunity to celebrate the 2024 World Series title and enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at Chavez Ravine.
Fans were treated to a buffet dinner with tables set up on the infield dirt, and had the chance to hit in the batting cage, pitch in the bullpen and have a photo turned into an custom baseball card, among other interactive experiences.
In addition to Johnson, Roberts and Tyler Glasnow also spoke during a panel hosted by SportsNet LA’s John Hartung.
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