As the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to establish utter dominance over MLB in the coming years, it is worth remembering their success in the 2010s and so far in the 2020s has not always been the case.
The Dodgers’ appearance in the 2017 World Series was their first trip to the Fall Classic in 29 years. And even though it didn’t end the way they hoped it would, it was still the first big milestone in becoming the baseball powerhouse they are today.
The rapid ascent of the Dodgers organization coincides with Guggenheim Baseball Management’s purchase of the team from Frank McCourt in 2012, and Andrew Friedman being hired as president of baseball operations in 2014.
The Dodgers’ evolution from playoff contenders to perennial World Series contenders has taken place in a relatively short amount of time. Current free agent Anthony Rizzo saw the Dodgers’ dominance firsthand while with the New York Yankees, and can point to several examples as to why they have been able to sustain such a heightened level of play for so long.
“I think they’re just a factory of success. They’ve had really good starting pitching. Clayton Kershaw has been amazing for them for 10, 12, 15 years, and they brought in guys around him always, so you know he was an ace for so long,” Rizzo recently said.
“And then all the hitters and position players that have gone through there, they just seem to breed that winning culture. Then again, they have a pretty nice bankroll behind them. They have a great fanbase. Dave Roberts did an amazing job. Don Mattingly did an amazing job.
“I don’t think I was in the league when Joe Torre was there, but it’s been a franchise that models a lot of success my entire Big League career.”
Aside from Rizzo facing the Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, he also played them as a member of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series during back-to-back seasons from 2016-2017.
And while some teams like the aforementioned Cubs and others such as the Washington Nationals are unable to sustain their success after winning the World Series, the Dodgers have made the playoffs in every season since 2013 and have shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Building rosters to compete with Dodgers presents challenges
Rizzo’s answer concisely explains why building a team to compete with the Dodgers is such a challenging proposition for opposing general mangers, especially in the NL West.
Former San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi detailed what he viewed as the most challenging aspects of trying to compete in the NL West, noting their ability to scout and develop players are just as key as enjoying financial advantages.
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