World Series 2024

 **Home at Last: Dodgers Return to the World Series After Defeating Mets in NLCS**

 

 

After three turbulent Octobers, two heartbreaking collapses, and an ocean of doubts, the Dodgers are finally back where they belong—home in the World Series.

Dodger Stadium, where legends like Jackie Robinson’s daring steal of home, Sandy Koufax’s dominant shutouts, and Kirk Gibson’s iconic fist pump still echo, was the stage for their triumphant return. On a thrilling Sunday night, the Dodgers silenced their critics with a decisive 10-5 victory over the New York Mets, clinching the National League Championship Series four games to two.

 

This marks the Dodgers' fourth World Series appearance in the past eight years, their 13th since relocating to Los Angeles, and their 22nd overall.

And waiting for them? None other than their long-time October rivals—the New York Yankees.

 

Yes, those Yankees. The same pinstriped nemeses who have haunted the Dodgers for over a century. Starting Friday at Dodger Stadium, these two legendary franchises will meet in the World Series for the 12th time, the most frequent matchup in baseball history, despite not having faced off in the Fall Classic for 43 years.

The Yankees have dominated their previous 11 meetings, winning eight, with moments that defined World Series history—from Robinson’s steal of home to Don Larsen’s perfect game and Reggie Jackson’s three-home-run performance. The next two weeks will revive memories of these iconic moments.

 

The current Yankees are led by stars like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton, while the Dodgers carry on the legacy of past greats like Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, and Don Drysdale, through players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and NLCS MVP Tommy Edman.

Although the Yankees boast more star power, the Dodgers are the more complete team and will likely be favored to win. Anything less than a championship would be a disappointment, a failure. A Dodgers victory would mark their eighth franchise title and their seventh in Los Angeles. More significantly, it would be their first World Series win in front of fans since 1988. Their last championship, in 2020, came during the pandemic-shortened season with no fans and a bubble environment in Texas.

 

Thirty-six years is a long time to wait for a championship parade, and these Dodgers seem poised to finally deliver one. They closed out the Mets thanks to Tommy Edman’s home run and four RBIs, a two-run shot from catcher Will Smith, and stellar pitching from their bullpen. They did it without injured stars like Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas, and with Betts and Shohei Ohtani playing supporting roles. As they’ve done all season, the Dodgers leaned on their deep, all-in approach.

This version of the Dodgers is perhaps the most complete team in Dave Roberts' nine seasons as manager. It’s deeper than the 2020 championship squad, more talented than the 1988 underdogs, and on par with the Hall-of-Famer-filled teams of 1955 and 1965.

 

Roberts, who has now tied Tommy Lasorda with four pennants, acknowledged this team’s unique strength. “It’s hard to remember a team playing better team baseball than we’re playing right now,” he said.

With the best ownership, executive, player, and fans in baseball, the Dodgers are ready to reclaim their place atop the sport. Let the World Series begin.