Good lord, it happened: the Los Angeles Dodgers are the champions of baseball.

A salty statement to say aloud, an even uglier one the type out for this lifelong Giants fan. But as a fan of baseball, one can’t help but feel good for this star-studded team finally reaching the top of the mountain after having to hear about how immaculate they are for 4 straight seasons.

So sensitive Giant fans look away, because I’m going to…
(gulp)
…say some nice things about the Dodgers.

The team who paid the biggest price for those lousy, cheatin’, no good 2017 Astros seemed to at least have their justice when Major League Baseball investigated the situation and dug up all the insane things that they did. But instead, their punishment was more of a slap on the wrist than anything, with no fines or suspensions coming to any Astros players. As Cody Bellinger put it a few Spring Trainings ago, the shit was flat out “weak.”

Then another World Series loss to Boston the next year, followed by the Howie Kendrick Game in 2019, and the Dodgers, who once again would march into 2020 as World Series favorites, were still without a title. So they decided to add Mookie Betts to their already murderous lineup, capitalizing on a Red Sox move will might not ever truly understand, and shooting their World Series odds through the atmosphere.

At this point, they looked like a team who was daring the baseball gods to derail them again…and they almost did.

COVID-19 shut down sports, and the entire world.

But the MLB responded with a much-maligned 60-game season that eventually surpassed all those who opposed it, and we were underway. And despite a handful of rescheduled games due to positive tests, it was a success, bringing baseball back to those who adore the game like I do.

More importantly, I think it was a blessing in disguise for the Dodgers.

With a bunch as stacked as theirs, the only thing you can bank on as an opponent trying to compete with them for a season is potential injuries or chemistry issues. With a shortened season, less travel and games proved to help keep the level of wear-and-tear down on this potent roster, as they have remained fresh throughout the postseason. As far as chemistry, these Dodgers has been to battle in October with one another so many times, you’d be tasked to find a closer-knit group.

And if you had any inclinations that superstar Mookie Betts would throw that chemistry off upon arrival, you don’t know much about Mookie Betts.

So the Dodgers roll past Milwaukee and San Diego, totally overmatching a depleted Brewers squad and a good, but not yet ready, Padre team.

But then they fall to 3-1 against Atlanta in the NLCS, and damn, I know I thought, “You gotta be kidding me, man. AGAIN?! Again they’re not going to win it all?” The baseball gods had returned to beat LA.

But credit the Dodgers, they rallied, got their swagger back, and marched back into that series and onto the Fall Classic. They go up 2-1 against a Rays squad who had seemingly had a mojo loss of their own after nearly letting the Astros come back from down 3-0. It’s the bottom of the ninth, Jansen coming in, Rays bench is as good as empty, no tricks left for Kevin Cash, Dodgers will go up 3-1, and put themselves in great shape to FINALLY hoist the trophy.

And, well, perhaps the most postseason Dodgers thing that could literally ever happened fucking happened. I won’t even try to put it into words, partly because we’ve all seen the highlight over a hundred times, but mostly because it’s so much more hilarious on video than in writing. Either way, the series was tied, and I thought they were done, the life completely sucked out of that dugout.

AGAIN, the baseball gods tested the poor Dodger faithful.

But credit them again. Clayton Kershaw shed his postseason woes in the series, leading the Dodgers to two of their four decisive wins. Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger provided the pop when needed. Mookie and was Mookie. The bullpen was good when it needed to be. Solid starting pitching. And World Series MVP Corey Seager left Earth all October.

Enjoy this, Dodger Nation. The baseball world and I have run you through the gutter for 5 years. The baseball gods couldn’t douse your flame this time.

Shout out Joc Pederson, future Giant.

Shout out Randy Arozarena.

Shout out Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen for all their pain.

Shout out Blake Snell, my boy Gabe Kapler would’ve done you better (post entirely on this coming soon btw).

Shout out to the 2020 champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

And one more thing:
be sure call us when you do it 3 times in 5 years.

Cheers.