The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers each boast plenty of tradition and success as storied franchises in their respective sports, and there has also come to be plenty of crossover.
Along with players from both teams often attending the other’s games throughout the years, Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is another connection, and Dodgers owner Mark Walter is adding to that as he reached a deal to take control of the Lakers from the Buss family.
Johnson won five NBA titles during his illustrious Lakers career, and has two championships as a member of the Dodgers’ ownership group.
The 2025 Dodgers are looking to become MLB’s first repeat World Series champion since the New York Yankees from 1998-2000. They are the first defending champion to return to the World Series since the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.
Overall, the Dodgers are the 38th team in MLB history to reach the World Series one season after winning the title. It’s a position most anticipated for the team heading into the 2025 campaign, but not necessarily as they dealt with a rash of injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the season.
But the Dodgers have since righted the ship and stormed there way to a 23rd National League pennant in franchise history behind an 9-1 record. It’s left the Dodgers just four wins away from accomplishing their goal for 2025 and becoming a dynasty.
Magic Johnson sees parallel with ’88 Lakers and Dodgers
One of Johnson’s championships with the Lakers came in the summer of 1988. That represents a further tie with the Dodgers, who went on to dramatically win the World Series that fall.
There also is another connection Johnson sees between the two teams as they looked to win back-to-back titles.
“This year reminds me of ’88. We had won the championship in ’87 and we were trying to go back-to-back. We found out how difficult it was going to be for us to do that,” Johnson recently recalled.
“This season has been the same to me like the season we went through in ’88. We ended up winning, but we had to play three seven-game series to actually win the championship. We’re starting to play our best baseball right now and hopefully we’ll get everybody back soon.
“Dave has done a wonderful job as our manager. We should clap for that. He’s done a heck of a job.”
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