To no surprise, the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series was ranked the top moment of the 2020 season by MLB Network.
Going back to March when Spring Training was shut down due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it was unclear if a 2020 season would even take place. Despite months of failed negotiations, MLB finally returned for a 60-game regular season and expanded postseason to crown a champion.
It had been since 1988 when the Dodgers last won it all, but they came out as a team on a mission last year after acquiring Mookie Betts in the offseason. The Dodgers finished the regular-season with the best record in baseball at 43-17, and then cruised through the first two rounds of the postseason, sweeping both the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.
A title 32 years in the making! The @Dodgers winning the 2020 World Series is our top moment of the year. pic.twitter.com/EeFvl6rusg
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 4, 2021
Things got difficult for the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series when they found themselves trailing 3-1 in the series, one game away from elimination. They never game up though and wound up beating the Atlanta Braves three straight to take the series, setting up a meeting with the Tampa Bay Rays in the Fall Classic.
Considering the Dodgers had lost in the World Series in both 2017 and 2018, there was extra emphasis on them needing to finish the job this time. They were able to do exactly that, defeating the Rays in six games to win it all, ending the strange season on a high note.
Other Dodgers moments to make top 40
In addition to taking home the best moment of the 2020 season for winning the World Series, the Dodgers were also recognized throughout MLB Network’s top 40 moments.
Coming in at No. 3 was Cody Bellinger robbing Fernando Tatis Jr. of a home run in the NLDS. Further down the list was Bellinger’s game-winning homer in Game 7 of the NLCS No. 13, and Mookie Betts robbing Freddie Freeman of a home run at No. 16, him starting a double play against the Braves at 17.
Will Smith homering off Braves reliever Will Smith was ranked No. 21, Betts’ home run in Game 6 of the World Series at 22, Betts’ incredible throw against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the regular season at 28 and finally Chris Taylor’s game-ending double play to beat the Padres checked in at No. 33.
Both plays in the regular season, Betts’ throw and Taylor’s double play, were previously recognized for how incredible they were.
Bellinger will remember resiliency 2020 Dodgers displayed
Winning a World Series is no easy task, as the Dodgers know from failing so many times in recent years. They finally were able to break through and accomplish their goal in 2020, and one thing that Bellinger will remember from that team is the resiliency displayed.
Not only did L.A. come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS, but they also did so while playing in a bubble in Texas, where they remained for their entire month-long postseason run.
It truly was a unique experience, playing away from home in front of limited fans, but luckily the Dodgers made it worthwhile by bringing the trophy back to L.A. for the first time in 32 years.
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