After 32 Long Years, The Dodgers Regain World Series Champions Title

To+make+it+to+the+World+Series%2C+top+divisional+winners+from+the+National+and+American+league+compete+in+postseason%2C+which+is+also+called+the+playoffs.+Then%2C+champion+teams+from+each+division+play+each+other+at+the+World+Series%2C+competing+for+the+World+Series+champion+title.+While+the+Dodgers+made+it+to+the+playoffs+in+2016+and+2017%2C+they+have+not+won+the+title+since+1988+against+the+Oakland+Athletics.+

Graphic by Jaein Kim

To make it to the World Series, top divisional winners from the National and American league compete in postseason, which is also called the playoffs. Then, champion teams from each division play each other at the World Series, competing for the World Series champion title. While the Dodgers made it to the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, they have not won the title since 1988 against the Oakland Athletics.

After seven frustrating years of winning only straight division titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally made its mark this year as the Major League Baseball World Series champion against the Tampa Bay Rays with a final score of 4-1. 

This was their eighth year of making it to postseason consecutively. 

Each year, there are multiple trades and recruitments to the team. This year, former Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts and former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price joined the lineup. Both players had previously been noted for their impressive career achievements before joining the Dodgers.

The securing of the Dodgers’ seventh title seemed to quench the thirst of many fans who had been waiting amid close matches in previous years, including their unfair 2017 loss against the Houston Astros, 2018 World Series game against the Boston Red Sox and 2019 playoff games against the Washington Nationals.

Long-time Dodgers fan and junior Chloe Choi says that even with the recent evacuations due to the Silverado fire on the Monday of that week, she brought her Dodgers gear to prepare for watching the game. Her family was just able to get back home in time for game six on Tuesday night of that week. 

“When Julio Urias threw that last strike, I screamed off the top of my lungs and was shaking,” Choi said. “Game four was so heartbreaking to watch, and coming back from that really was amazing to see. Every year, of course the Dodgers perform very well during preseason and make it to playoffs . . . but this year, I was really able to see their fire and fight for every game.”

Aside from the win, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was named World Series and National League Championship Series (NLCS) Most Valuable Player, and Betts won his fifth Gold Glove and fourth Silver Slugger awards.