LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their season with a game in South Korea, but the spotlight shifted post-game as an interpreter for superstar Shohei Ohtani made comments that suggested possible misconduct involving the player. The celebration following this match was a spirited toast to the franchise’s eighth World Series title, albeit in the background of various challenges throughout the season.
In the middle of the season, the Dodgers faced a wave of injuries that significantly impacted their rotation, coupled with the setbacks of Mookie Betts suffering a broken hand and Freddie Freeman dealing with a sprained ankle. Despite these challenges, Ohtani achieved a remarkable 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, marking a historic milestone, while the Dodgers secured their 11th National League West title in 12 years, finishing with the best overall record in Major League Baseball.
When the playoffs commenced, the Dodgers demonstrated their fortitude. After falling behind to their rivals, the San Diego Padres, with a score of 2-1 in the National League Division Series, they made a comeback to win the series in five games. They faced a tougher challenge against the New York Mets in the NL Championship Series, eventually advancing after a grueling six-game battle. When the World Series began, they found themselves on the brink of defeat, but Freeman’s unprecedented walk-off grand slam secured a stunning 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees, allowing the Dodgers to clinch the series in five games.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged their tenacity, stating, “We just kept going. Even in the postseason, I don’t think anyone had us picked. For us to go out there and fight and scratch and claw and win 11 games in October, that’s a credit to our guys.” The hefty investment of a billion dollars in acquiring Ohtani and fellow Japanese player Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason proved worthwhile, although Ohtani’s playoff statistics did not reflect his outstanding regular-season performance, where he excelled offensively.
Ohtani set personal records in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases, positioning himself as the leading candidate for the NL MVP award. However, during the playoffs, his performance dipped as he managed only 2 hits out of 19 at-bats with no RBIs, and struggled after a shoulder injury in Game 2 of the World Series. “What Shohei’s done to our ball club, the Dodger fan base domestically, globally, I just don’t think you can quantify. He was playing with one arm in the postseason,” Roberts remarked, illustrating Ohtani’s determination to be part of the lineup despite injuries.
The Dodgers also made crucial trades leading up to the July deadline, acquiring pitchers Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech, alongside utility player Tommy Edman, the latter who was instrumental in the NLCS and earned MVP accolades. Meanwhile, Ohtani’s former interpreter faces serious legal issues, with bank and tax fraud charges resulting in a pending sentence in December. Looking ahead, Ohtani is set to reclaim his dual-role prowess next year, aiming to resume pitching after recuperating from his second elbow surgery.
As the World Series concluded, the Dodgers found themselves with eight free agents, including Walker Buehler, Flaherty, and both Kiké and Teoscar Hernández. Hudson announced his retirement following the victory, while Kiermaier, too, revealed his plans to step away from professional baseball. The Dodgers are contemplating team options for Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas, and Clayton Kershaw has expressed intentions to return after an injury sidelined him during the playoffs.
For now, the Dodgers are reveling in their championship triumph. After previously winning a neutral-site World Series against Tampa Bay in 2020 but missing out on a parade due to the pandemic, they are ready for a celebration. “I’m sure there’s no asterisk on this one,” quipped Roberts. The team will host a parade downtown, alongside festivities at Dodger Stadium on Friday, coinciding with what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, a beloved pitching legend who recently passed away. “It’s going to be emotional,” Roberts added, reflecting on Valenzuela’s legacy and friendship. “I know he’s smiling right now and very proud of this organization.”