That was a fun ride. And this year it includes a happy wondrous ending. The best team in the regular season actually WON the World Series. Los Angeles Dodgers – 2024 MLB World Series Champions… How sweet that sounds. And they are already posted as a favorite to repeat.
Before I get into my notes and observations, I want to give a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Bear for keeping LA Dodger Chronicles operating and relevant during my recovery thru the WS. It has been an ordeal for me, and Bear stepped up big time. BTW I fully expect Bear to continue for as long as he wants.
I did not read any posts/comments on any blog after Game 4. And no it is not that I couldn’t handle any negativity, but it was my son’s 49th birthday yesterday, and our day was dedicated to that. So the Dodgers won the WS on his birthday. They had a chance to win the NLCS on what would have been my other son’s 46th birthday. I went to the cemetery to speak with him about winning the NLCS on his birthday (Game 5, Oct. 18), but it did not happen. They would win the pennant two days later, and my wife simply said that Kris was just messing with his Pops.
Now for the WS clincher:
I went into the game with a bad feeling. I did not think that the Yankees would lose two games that Gerrit Cole started. In the 5th inning, the Dodgers find themselves down 5-0 with Cole spinning a gem, and somehow the Dodgers improbably score 5 unearned runs. It’s amazing what can happen when you actually put bat to the ball. Sometimes they make the play, sometimes they do not. I will bet that Aaron Judge will not drop another fly ball again in his career. But he did in Game 5. His 1st inning HR does not make up for that drop. How many future ground balls to 1st will Gerrit Cole sit back and not cover?
Maybe they were not hits but Gavin Lux’s and Mookie Betts sacrifice flies in the 8th, both off closer Luke Weaver were HUGE. BTW, how many more 3-time disengagements will Luke Weaver have. I am sure there have been many 3-time disengagements, but I do not remember ever actually seeing one in a game.
8 pitchers in a 9-inning game. Blake Treinen threw 2.1 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 walk, and 3 K. After giving up an Aaron Judge double and walk to Jazz Chisholm in the 8th, he was at 37 pitches when Doc went out to talk to Blake with Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo coming up. Apparently it did not take much convincing, but Doc said he wanted to look in Blake’s eyes to be convinced to leave Blake in. Blake convinced him. It took 5 pitches to get out of the inning. This was a different Doc in this WS. He went with his gut instincts. I bet there was not a single algorithm printout that said Treinen should stay in.
Neither Casparius nor Knack were available, leaving only Daniel Hudson and Brent Honeywell as possible relief pitchers to try and close it out to win the Series. Memories of their Game 4 exploits were still fresh. Walker Buehler had texted Roberts and AF/BG in the AM and said he would be available. Doc initially said no way, but Walker later in the game reminded Doc that he could go 1-2 innings. We then saw Walker and Hudson warming up. Doc made the absolute right choice to close it out with Big Game Buehler. My wife told me I had to wear my Buehler jersey today. Simple decision since my Freddie jersey is at the cleaners.
Walker Buehler has now allowed 1 run in 19 World Series innings (4 games). How Big Game is that?
Teoscar had the only XBH for LAD (double) in Game 5.
Freddie was the MVP in this one (duh!). He was 6-20 with 2 walks and only 1 K. 4 of those hits were HRs and generated 12 RBIs. Freddie broke George Springer’s consecutive WS game with a HR with his 4th HR, which was his 6th consecutive WS game HR. He almost had a 7th consecutive WS game HR in the 4th. Maybe I was watching with my heart, but that sure looked like it would have been a HR had Judge not been there.
His 12 RBIs also tied a WS record set in 1960 by NYY’s Bobby Richardson. Richardson had a 7 game series while Freddie did his in 5. While I would have said that Bill Mazeroski was the 1960 WS MVP 100 times out of 100, I would have been wrong 100 times. Richardson is the only player from a losing team to get the WS MVP.
Freddie changed the entire outlook for the WS with his 10th inning walk off grand slam.
The Hernández boys were clutch in the Fall Classic. Teoscar led the team with 7 hits. He also had 4 RBI with only 2 K in 20 AB. Kiké was 5-18. He started the unbelievable 5th inning with a single.
Shohei did not produce with the bat, but (IMO) his presence was felt.
Miggy Ro was undoubtedly not ready to play. He started Game 2 with 3 AB, and did not play in any other game.
Tommy Edman continued his outstanding October going 5-17 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 3 BB, and 2 SB. He led the team with 20 playoff hits, batting .328/.354/.508/.862, winning the NLCS MVP.
Mookie followed two poor playoffs with a very good one. For October, Mookie batted .290/.387/.565/.952. He had 5 doubles and 4 HRs, with 11 BB against 10 K. Mookie led the team with a .952 OPS and 16 RBIs for the playoffs. He tied with Freddie with the most HRs, and tied Edman with 5 doubles. He was 5-18 in the WS with 4 RBIs.
I cannot count the number of comments I heard about LAD always having the talent, but not the fight. With the addition of Teoscar, Edman, Shohei, Kopech, and Yamamoto, that page has turned.
I will be analyzing what the Dodgers should or might do this winter very soon. But for now, I am going to enjoy this one. However, before then, I would look for Dave Roberts extension.
World Series Winners:
And World Series Losers:
And now what’s next?
Re-sign Teo or Soto?
Edman at SS or sign Adames?
Sign a lefty like Fried or Snell or trust Kershaw again?
Betts one more year in RF or move him to 2B and trade Lux?
Great to hear from you, Jeff. Some of us were worried that you hadn’t commented. Didn’t realize it was Andy’s birthday yesterday. Quite the gift you got him there.
Look forward to seeing your comments about off season moves when you feel the time is right.
In the meanwhile, I join you in celebrating our champs.
Jeff Passan has a great WS story up and it’s not behind the paywall.
Turns out that not only did Freddie have everything we knew about go wrong, but he also suffered torn rib cartilage during the playoffs which made it very painful to swing. Next year they need to add a cape to his uniform.
Here’s the Passan link:
World Series champs! How Dodgers validated their dominance – ESPN
And Hot Stove season is officially on:
Angels trade Griffin Canning to the Braves for Soler.
Didn’t even take 24 hours.
Very curious to see how the team deals with starters next year. Without any moves the team already has on the projected 40:
Sheehan (mid-year return)
Frasso (Early season return)
Ohtani (probably on a 6 day rest scheme)
YY (6 day?)
Glasnow
Knack
Gonsolin
Miller
and it will be tough not to resign:
walker b
clayton k
And that’s without Wrobo-cop, Casparius, and Grove who are further away.
and without Flahrety
The Sporting News has a story that they think the Dodgers will reunite with Kenley Jansen this winter. Giants hiring Minasian’s brother to be their GM. McCullough still in the running for the Marlins job. Albernaz pulled himself out of consideration. Fan sided thinks these 9 Dodgers will not return, Buehler, Rojas, Flaherty, Kelly, Kike, Barnes, Teo, and the two players retiring, Kiermaier and Hudson.
I want to thank Jeff for the kind words. Writing has become something I really enjoy. Never thought that would be the case. When I started most of the stories were about the team history. US and baseball history are two of my favorite subjects. With Jeff doing his rehabilitation, I have had to expand the field of my writing into summarization, and analysis. Summarizing is easy, analyzing, not so much, and really not in my wheelhouse. But I want to thank all of the posters who have been so supportive of the site and Jeff’s efforts to have a site where we all can express our opinions openly. There is not much else I can say except thank you all.
Roberts finally admitted that Ohtani should not have been on the field that last few games.
Good to see you back, Jeff!
And thanx to you and Bear for keeping this site running.
Stll not ready to talk hot stove league. I am on cloud Nr. 9 ever since Verdugo (could not have happened to a better Yankee player to make that last out) swung and missed on that Striker Buehler pitch to end the game.
LA Dodgers World Series champs 2024!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Parade incoming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a GREAT Dodgers outlet and the two gentlemen who make it work are top notch and much appreciated. Love the Bear and Jeff is a class act. I’m very honored to be a part of this family….so many great guys to hang out with as we analyze our boys. -TM
I hope the Dodgers pass on Soto. Terrible fielder. He will be an expensive DH in 3 to 4 years. And we already have our DH. 🤐
I agree with the point Ohio Dodger made above, that being Soto is basically a DH waiting to happen and we already have our long term DH.
I don’t see how the Yankees can afford to let him leave, no matter what it costs. And to lose him to the Mets?
Saw this on Facebook, thought you guys would get a kick out of it.
Awards season coming up. Gold Gloves first. Free agents starting to make their announcements. In a month I would guess some guys will already be signed. Upcoming important dates. Free agents can begin signing next week. Nov 5-7 GM meetings. Groundwork for trades begins then. Nov 19th, deadline for players to accept or decline QO. Nov 22, non-tender deadline, Dec 9-12, Winter meetings in Dallas, Dec 11, Rule 5 draft. February, Arbitration figures exchanged, and spring training begins.
Great parade, great reception at DS.
Had tears in my eyes.
And that is the reason why I can not talk hot stove league and who to let go or bring in for next season.
How can you NOT want Teo or Kike or Treinen or whoever else back ?
But from a business and competetive aspect you have to talk and think about it.
But just not NOW! Not me. I just can´t.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!