The Dodgers persisted to a World Series parade, declaring boldly, “No asterisk on this one,” as they celebrated their hard-fought victory.
“You want the full season one, just to get that whole narrative out of the window,” Gavin Lux stated, expressing a sentiment shared among the team. “I think it kind of bugs everybody a little bit that you don’t get the recognition that you deserve.”
Over the past four years, this quest fueled their determination to secure the franchise’s first full-season World Series championship since 1988. The Dodgers had made the postseason for 11 consecutive years, yet only had one pandemic-shortened title to their name. Many key players from the 2020 roster remained, yearning for a championship that would silence all doubts and a celebration that had eluded them during their last victory amid a pandemic.
Thanks to an impressive performance by seven relievers and a historic five-run comeback in the World Series clincher Wednesday night in the Bronx, the long-awaited parade will finally take place this Friday in Los Angeles—coincidentally on what would have been Fernando Valenzuela’s 64th birthday.
“I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this one,” manager Dave Roberts remarked, confident that this victory stands without any qualifiers.
In a season marked by resilience, the Dodgers triumphed over the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series. They overcame an early five-run deficit, fell behind again, and ultimately secured the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, sealing a 7-6 victory that epitomized their tenacity and led to their second championship in five years.
“Now it’s two, baby, what are you gonna say about that?” Max Muncy exclaimed. “World Series champions. Get that Mickey Mouse stuff out of your mouth. We got a full season. It’s here.”
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior had not anticipated Buehler pitching in the decisive Game 5 of the World Series. However, Buehler, who returned as an October star after his second Tommy John surgery, clinched the final out of the 2024 season, marking a fitting conclusion to a year that had taken unexpected turns following their billion-dollar offseason investments.
Even the star-studded lineup faced challenges. Shohei Ohtani, the offseason’s marquee acquisition, partially dislocated his shoulder during the World Series. Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman suffered a late September ankle sprain that was initially expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks. His father, Fred, had to drive him to Dodger Stadium daily for physical therapy since Freddie couldn’t operate the pedals with his injured foot.
“It was beyond what any human should do,” Freeman’s father reflected from the field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, celebrating alongside his son. “I don’t know any other person that could have done that. Maybe Shohei, with what he’s been doing right now. Shohei’s a warrior, also.”
“Doc,” Smith stated, “pushed all the right buttons.”
A pivotal moment occurred two weeks before the playoffs when the team’s growing list of injuries began to weigh heavily on both players and staff. In mid-September, after the Dodgers learned that All-Star Tyler Glasnow’s season had ended, Roberts sensed a demoralized team. Following two consecutive losses in Atlanta, the Padres were closing in on their division lead.
Buehler responded by rebounding from a five-run outing to limit the Braves to just one earned run over six innings. This performance was part of an impressive 11 wins in the final 14 games of the regular season, propelling the Dodgers into the playoffs for a 12th straight year. It established a tone for a team that would later overcome a 2-1 deficit in the National League Division Series against the Padres. It was during this time that Roberts recognized this group was different from past teams.
After their 2020 World Series triumph, the Dodgers faced three challenging years. In 2021, they were unable to recover from a 3-1 deficit against Freeman’s Braves, who subsequently claimed the championship. In 2022, a historically strong team with 111 wins suffered a shocking first-round exit against the Padres. The following year, another unexpected first-round defeat came at the hands of the Diamondbacks.
Getting swept led to sweeping changes.
The Dodgers invested heavily to acquire the most talented player in the game. Adding a third MVP to the lineup was expected to stabilize an offense that had struggled in October. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was at his son’s soccer game on a Zoom call recruiting another player when he received the news that Ohtani had signed, concluding a long pursuit for the two-way star.
In one of the most significant trade deadlines in franchise history, they acquired the best pitcher on the market, Flaherty, a local Los Angeles talent who played a crucial role in the postseason. Additionally, they executed a three-team deal for versatile defender Tommy Edman, who had been sidelined due to wrist and ankle injuries, and reliever Michael Kopech, who was struggling on the league’s worst team. Kopech became a key part of the bullpen that Roberts leaned on throughout the playoffs.
Earlier that day, Buehler had informed the coaching staff and front office of his availability in the bullpen.
“Like, yeah, Walk, that’s awesome,” Friedman said, dismissing the thought at first.
“Well, what if it gets wonky?” Buehler inquired.
Things did get wonky when Flaherty left the game in the second inning.
The Dodgers had already used many of their high-leverage pitchers, forcing Treinen to secure seven outs as bullpen options dwindled. The team faced a choice: turn to Daniel Hudson, who had pitched 20 times the previous night, or call on Buehler, who had already prepared himself in the bullpen. With the Dodgers leading by one run in the ninth, Buehler emerged to deliver another flawless inning, solidifying his legacy.
“What Walker did right there, he’s etched in Dodger royalty for the rest of his life,” Clayton Kershaw praised.
“I can’t say enough about him,” Friedman added. “It shouldn’t be surprising. Time and time again, what he’s done in October cements his legacy as an all-time Dodger great.”
Despite a season that did not unfold as Buehler had hoped, he emerged as the October hero.
In a year and a game that did not follow the Dodgers’ script, they still found victory.
Now, four seasons after their previous title, a parade will celebrate this achievement. There is nothing anyone can say to diminish their success.
