The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious over the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, claiming the championship in a mere five games. It was a series where the Yankees' defensive lapses played a significant role in their downfall, and the Dodgers capitalized on every opportunity, underscoring the vast difference between the two teams.
Throughout the regular season, the Yankees had made a formidable impression with a 94-68 record, the best in the American League, and outscoring their opponents by an impressive 147 runs. However, the finesse and form that carried them through the season faltered when they faced the Dodgers. Despite their stellar regular-season performance, the Yankees were edged out by just one run in four of the five World Series games, a testament to the high stakes and fierce competition faced during the series.
Clearly, the Yankees found themselves outmatched against a Dodgers team that needed no extraordinary effort to secure their win. As Joe Kelly aptly put it, "All we knew is that we had to play regular Dodger baseball...we didn't have to do anything crazy, and we were going to win the World Series. Look at the team, look at the talent." The Dodgers' roster is undoubtedly filled with immense talent, which they masterfully harnessed to dismantle the Yankees.
Joe Kelly's Insight
Joe Kelly, known for his candidness, did not mince words when assessing the Yankees' performance. "It was a mismatch from the get-go," he remarked, highlighting the glaring disparity between the two teams. Kelly went further to suggest that, had there been a playoff re-ranking, the Yankees might have fallen to the lower echelons, behind teams like the Padres, Phillies, Mets, and Braves. Despite the Yankees' dominance in the American League, Kelly noted, "The Guardians played like crap, but the Guardians played better defense and better baseball all around," emphasizing the defensive shortcomings that plagued the Yankees.
Joe Kelly himself was absent from the postseason action, contributing neither in the playoffs nor the World Series, and his regular season WAR of minus-0.4 over 32 innings spoke to his less-than-impactful season. However, his observations were sharp, echoing the sentiments felt by many observers of the series.
The Dodgers' Winning Formula
The Dodgers' triumph can be attributed not only to their talent but also to their thorough preparation and strong work ethic. Kelly emphasized the importance of preparation in their victory, stating, "We go through numerous scouting reports. We pay attention to every single detail." This attention to detail, combined with a locker room filled with dedicated superstars, became their hallmark. As Kelly noted, "We have a lot of big superstars in our clubhouse, but our superstars also care and aren't lazy and play hard. That's the difference and the biggest separator."
In the end, the Dodgers' ability to focus on the fundamentals and their superior execution on the diamond separated them from a Yankees team that, despite their potential, struggled with costly errors and a lack of cohesion. The Dodgers' success serves as a testament to the blend of talent, preparation, and determination, qualities that have cemented their status as champions.
As the Yankees reflect on what could have been, the Dodgers will relish their victory, their fifth game clinching of the series a symbolic nod to their dominance throughout. In this exhilarating season, it's the Dodgers who have risen to the occasion, demonstrating once again the unpredictable brilliance of baseball.