The Los Angeles Dodgers are back where it all began. In September 2013, they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks to clinch the first of five consecutive National League West titles. A traditional champagne celebration in the clubhouse ensued.
But a few Dodgers then carried that into the Chase Field pool. On Monday, the Dodgers can complete a sweep to eliminate the Diamondbacks from the NL Division Series. Naturally, the possibility led to a conversation over how the Dodgers may enjoy accomplishing as much.
“That won’t happen,” manager Dave Roberts said of a potential pool celebration. “This is a completely different team, and I think we have bigger goals than to jump into a swimming pool.”
Of the 2013 club, only Andre Ethier, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig are on the Dodgers’ NLDS roster. Adrian Gonzalez was in his first full season with the team, but is now relegated to the taxi squad.
Furthermore, the clubhouse culture is vastly different from when Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez and Puig, in his rookie season, were the stars. Because of that, Roberts was not inclined to address the situation.
“There’s no point,” he said. “Our guys clearly understand what this team is about, and we have no interest in jumping in a pool in right field.”
Since the postseason expanded in 1995, the Dodgers have twice taken a 2-0 lead in the NLDS. They swept the Chicago Cubs on the road in 2008, and dispatched of the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium in 2009.
Los Angeles can become the only team to sweep the Division Series this year. To do that they’ll need to give the Diamondbacks their first blemish in a do-or-die situation at home. Arizona is 6-0 all-time in such games.
