An otherwise successful season came to a disappointing end for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday with a 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the World Series.
The defeat ensured that for a second consecutive year, the club was forced to watch their opponent celebrate a championship victory at Dodger Stadium. Manny Machado was particularly dejected by the club’s shortcomings, as well as closer Kenley Jansen, who was on the losing end in back-to-back years.
Likewise, Brian Dozier was saddened ver the loss. “It stings,” he said. “If it doesn’t, then something is wrong with you.”
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Dozier was instantly propelled into a pennant race. Although the Twins reached the American League Wild Card Game in 2017, being with the Dodgers was Dozier’s first true taste of the postseason.
“I feel like I’m a very optimistic person,” he continued. “From a different vantage point, coming over, having a chance to be in the playoffs and play for a World Series, that speaks for itself.
“I’ve enjoyed everything, this group is phenomenal. The perseverance and resiliency this group of men have, is off the charts. The care is off the charts. Everything you want to make of an organization is off the charts.”
Dozier garnered two starts in the World Series and appeared in four overall games, going hitless in five at-bats while drawing three walks. In three postseason series with the Dodgers, he tallied two hits and two RBI over 22 plate appearances.
The 31-year-old was one of seven players to reach free agency on Monday morning, joining the likes of Machado, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Yasmani Grandal.
Dozier headlines a decent second base class that also includes Jed Lowrie and Daniel Murphy, among others. Despite a down year in 2018, he should have no problem netting a Major League contract in the offseason.
