The Los Angeles Dodgers won their eighth World Series title in franchise history last year and now enter the 2025 season with astronomical expectations.
The team signed several high-profile players in free agency and have an even stronger roster on paper than they did during their championship run.
The Dodgers will try to avoid a slow start to the 2025 season as it is common for defending World Series champions to experience a bit of a hangover.
With the start of Dodgers Spring Training now underway at Camelback Ranch, Mookie Betts said the team must quickly shift gears and focus on the upcoming season rather than look back on the 2024 World Series, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“We can’t keep thinking about being champions again,” shortstop Mookie Betts said. “We haven’t even played Game 1. We have to take care of spring training and then when Game 1 comes, then Game 1 comes. But we can’t keep talking about the World Series.”
If Betts’ comments are any indication, the Dodgers appear to be just as motivated as they were last year to win another World Series title. MLB has not had a repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three World Series in a row from 1998-2000.
The Dodgers appear to be in prime position to change that, as the front office is confident their blend of retaining core pieces of the roster along with infusing new talent will help fuel the team.
Mookie Betts warns opponents about World Series
While Betts is ready to put 2024 in the rearview mirror, that wasn’t yet the case when he appeared at the All-MLB Awards show in Las Vegas just two weeks removed from the Dodgers being crowned champions.
Betts took the stage to receive his All-MLB First Team plaque and was asked by Chris Young what advice he would give to players trying to win a World Series.
“Um,” Betts began before pausing for multiple seconds. “I would say y’all just got to wait the next seven years. After that, then y’all can win. Right now, no. You’ve just got to wait.”
Betts is entering his sixth season with the Dodgers and looking to join a select group of players in MLB history to win four World Series championships.
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