The Los Angeles Dodgers are still in the early part of their Spring Training slate, still enjoying the fruits of their recent World Series championship season.
Entering camp with a renewed mindset and the expectation of another deep postseason run, the Dodgers remain focused on defending their title.
Meanwhile, their Fall Classic opponent, the New York Yankees, has taken a different approach, with manager Aaron Boone recently commenting on what he perceived as a lack of class from the Dodgers after their championship win.
Boone’s comments, suggesting that Dodgers players showed little “class” following their World Series victory, were echoed in several places this offseason, and he carried that sentiment into Spring Training.
Former Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly had a rebuttal to Boone’s words, via the Baseball Isn’t Boring Podcast:
“He’s just so hurt. It’s so sad. When your fearless leader has fear, it’s a little tough to see… Feelings are hurt.”
Kelly has been a player who isn’t afraid to speak his mind, or let the baseball handle some business for his team. He gave a jab at the Yankees in his response, calling out their meltdown in Game 5:
“I wonder how ground balls are going? PFPs, ground balls, the little things… I got Knox’s 9-year-old travel ball team, first move after a ground ball is hit to the right side, all of them are breaking, every single one of them. Every single one of them. Kids who pitch one inning a week know how to get over. They’re 9, it’s the ZT prospects. 9 years old, not one of them forgets to get over, I promise you. I know who does forget. Not the 9-year-old ZT prospects.”
Kelly is referring to the play in which Yankees starter Gerrit Cole didn’t cover first base on a routine ground ball to Anthony Rizzo. Cole not covering the bag allowed Dodgers’ outfielder, Mookie Betts, to reach base, opening the door for the eventual comeback.
The Dodgers went on to win Game 5, and ultimately, the World Series. The Yankees’ defensive miscues in that inning was one of the single worst innings in Major League history.
Joe Kelly remains unsigned
Kelly missed time early in the 2024 season with a right shoulder injury, and upon returning, he went on to finish his regular season with a 4.78 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 35 strikeouts over 32 innings.
The veteran right-hander missed the entirety of the playoffs when he re-injured his shoulder in September. Kelly recently hinted that he would retire from MLB unless a return to the Dodgers was on the table.
He remains a free agent.
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