An unusual 2020 MLB season has concluded with the Los Angeles Dodgers being crowned World Series champions for the first time since 1988.
The club came close to getting over the hump in recent seasons, but ultimately fell short. After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games, the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner can now add a World Series title to their respective resumés.
“I’m kind of looking at everyone and celebrating everyone else,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s sinking in pretty quickly. I’m obviously over the moon.
“Happy for Julio. Clayton, when people talk about him it’s World Series champion first, then future Hall of Famer. For Kenley, Justin, everybody. I’m so excited for all these guys.”
The Dodgers entered the year as overwhelming favorites to be the last team standing. They returned the majority of their core from last year’s 106-win team and added a former MVP winner in Mookie Betts to the mix.
Roberts declared this would be the season in which the Dodgers captured the title.
“I had a crazy feeling that came to fruition,” he explained. “It’s just a special group of players, organization, all that we’ve overcome, I just knew we weren’t going to be denied this year.”
For many Dodgers, ending the organization’s long drought was entrenched in the back of their minds. “First off, those guys from the ’80s, the guys prior, obviously Tommy, Orel, Ron Cey, Boomer, Gibby, they have all been great and supportive to us,” Roberts said.
“But to have our own moment, I think is great for the city of Los Angeles, great for the Dodgers, and I think they’re happy too. I know they’re happy. I guess burden is a word, but I’m just happy we finally did it.”
Roberts not looking for self-validation after World Series win
Roberts now holds the distinction of being only the third manager in Dodgers history to lead the organization to a World Series championship.
Rather than focus on the accomplishment, he revealed that he is mainly happy for his group of players that won. “I try to not make things personal. I’m just really happy for the organization,” Roberts said.
“I’m happy for the players, I’m happy to help lead this team to a championship. There’s always going to be skeptics, but this is something no one can take away from us.”
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