The Los Angeles Dodgers had several dignitaries on hand for Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium, including part-owner Magic Johnson, Rachel Robinson, David Robinson, and Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson on behalf of the Players Alliance, along with others.
Prior to a pregame ceremony that celebrated Jackie Robinson’s legacy and saw his wife presented with a custom jacket, Johnson spoke with SportsNet LA reporter Kirsten Watson during an interview that was broadcasted on the Dodger Stadium video board.
Johnson highlighted Robinson’s everlasting impact and credited him for breaking several barriers. Among them was Johnson becoming the first Black owner in MLB history.
The conversation then shifted to the 2022 Dodgers and it came with yet another World Series prediction.
“We’re going to win it all this season,” Johnson told Watson, much to the delight of Dodgers fans.
In April 2020, the L.A. Lakers Hall of Fame point guard said he hoped the Dodgers would win the World Series in large part for Clayton Kershaw to further cement his legacy and get to experience a championship parade.
The following mont Johnson said things were “lined up” for the Dodgers to win the World Series.
They of course went on to do so — albeit in unique fashion — and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prevented the Dodgers from having a World Series parade or any semblance of a formal celebration.
If L.A. manages to capture a championship this season, they presumably would be in line to enjoy the traditional spoils.
Roberts stands by World Series guarantee for Dodgers
Prior to the 2022 regular season beginning, manager Dave Roberts guaranteed the Dodgers would win the World Series this year if their starting pitching remained healthy.
His prediction sparked plenty of commentary and drew a mocking response from Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek. Roberts twice was asked if he wished to walk back the guarantee or regretted making it, which was a non-starter for him.
“Shouldn’t that be my take?” Roberts recently said. “Here’s my thing. For me to put it out there and believe this is what’s going to happen, I think is very powerful. It raises the bar for myself and everyone that’s part of the Dodgers.
“And I think in life, in anything, when you give yourself an out there’s an easy exit. I think for me, knowing this team, this organization, I feel for me to put myself out there and put my team out there and say, ‘I guarantee we’re going to be the last team standing,’ I don’t want to walk it back.
“I believe in these guys, but again, that’s easy to do. The hardest part to do is now every single day get better and win enough baseball games to put ourselves in position to accomplish our goal. But yeah, there’s no walking things back.”
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