The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series champions for the first time in more than 30 years, though ending the franchise’s drought came during a season unlike any other in MLB history. Because of that, a championship celebration is on pause until a better climate.
“This season was everything we believed it could be. It was just missing one thing: The best fans in baseball,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “While the wait for a World Championship is finally over, a celebration worthy of our great fans and the City of Los Angeles will unfortunately have to wait until it is safe to do so. We can’t wait to celebrate together!”
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reduced the regular season schedule to just 60 games, though that was accompanied by an expanded playoff field and formation of a Wild Card Series for each club.
After finishing with the regular season with an MLB-best 43-17 record, the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in the best-of-three Wild Card round. That propelled them to the National League Division Series, which was played in a postseason bubble at Globe Life Field.
L.A. swept the San Diego Padres to advance to the NL Championship Series for a matchup with the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers fell into a 3-1 series deficit before rallying to reach the World Series for a third time in the past four years.
They defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games, taking a burden off the likes of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner, among others. Though, Kershaw emphatically dismissed any concern over the narratives that surrounded him.
“I think this year has been crazy, obviously, but no matter what, we’ll look back on this and we’re World Series champs. To get to say that and be a part of it, it’s so special no matter what,” Kershaw said.
“To be with this group of guys, the only thing that would’ve made it better was if we were at Dodger Stadium, which is a bummer that we’re not. There were so many Dodger fans here tonight. This place was all Dodger fans the whole time.
“It was only 10,000 people here tonight or whatever, but I bet 9,000 of them were Dodger fans who all stuck around after and cheered for us.”
Dodgers, Lakers in same position
The Dodgers and L.A. Lakers winning titles in the same season is a repeat of 1988, and with that, both teams are having to navigate a unique situation. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has told fans the team will have an appropriate celebration for their title when the timing is right.
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