In the end it was clear the Dodgers were the better team in the World Series

On an unusually warm October evening, the eve of Halloween, the Dodgers defeated the Yankees 7-6. With their victory in Game 5, they secured their 8th World Series title. In a clash of two of Major League Baseball’s iconic franchises, representing the largest media markets in the nation, the Dodgers clearly emerged as the superior team.

The Fall Classic showcased the usual array of heroes and goats, yet the expected showdown between Ohtani and Aaron Judge never materialized. This series was distinguished by exhilarating grand slams and extraordinary comebacks, ultimately demonstrating that despite a deficient pitching staff, avoiding mistakes, hitting effectively with runners on base, and employing a ‘next man up’ strategy proved the Dodgers as team as the best.

In Hollywood fashion, this Dodgers team wasn’t defined by a single star but by an ensemble cast of players who demonstrated that one player alone can’t win a World Series—it’s ultimately a team effort. From the supporting roles of Teoscar Hernandez, Gavin Lux, and Max Muncy to the headliners like Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, and even the unsung relievers as well as acclaimed starters like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty, none of this happened by chance.

The Dodgers won this way because they were built to win this way.

The Dodgers, a team that invested over $1 billion this past offseason, are constantly refining their roster under the guidance of Andrew Friedman. They have a knack for transforming other teams’ surplus into their own success, with players like Ryan Brasier, Brent Honeywell, and Anthony Banda emerging as key players in the bullpen. The organization gives equal importance to the last 10 spots on the 40-man roster as it does to the top three.

He made moves at the trade deadline, acquiring Tommy Edman, the Dodgers’ Most Valuable Player during the NLCS, from the St. Louis Cardinals, Michael Kopech, who served as both a setup man and occasionally a closer for Los Angeles, from the Chicago White Sox, and starter Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers.

He lost most of his starting pitching staff, including Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Gavin Stone, Dustin May, and Emmett Sheehan. Entering the World Series, they had only three starters: Flaherty, whom Friedman acquired at the trade deadline from Detroit; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had been on the injury list with a sore arm; and Walker Buehler, who was returning from his second Tommy John surgery.

Friedman excels in roster construction; indeed, the Dodgers boast as much star power as any team in recent memory. However, Friedman’s approach ensures that the value of the last player on the roster is as significant as the superstars, demonstrating that top-name stars can win championships with the aid of a strong supporting cast.

Hollywood moments

The most cinematic moment of this World Series wasn’t delivered by Ohtani, Judge, Betts, or even Juan Soto. It was Freddie Freeman who stole the spotlight, despite injuries that nearly sidelined him. His two-out grand slam to end Game 1 conjured up memories of Kirk Gibson’s 1988 heroics and prompted Joe Davis to pay an epic tribute to Vin Scully on the spot.

The 5th inning of Game 5 turned into a nightmare for the Yankees, who were leading 5-0. Despite their ace, Gerrit Cole, pitching a no-hitter, the home team committed three errors, resulting in a 5-5 tie. The drama peaked in the 9th inning with the Dodgers ahead 7-6. Walker Buehler, initially set to start Game 7, took the mound on just one day of rest after his impressive Game 3 start. He emerged from the bullpen to seal the New York Yankees’ fate and secure a World Series title for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The ultimate Hollywood moment

This refers to Freddie Freeman, who took a leave of absence this summer because his son was hospitalized with a severe illness that left him paralyzed for weeks; thankfully, he is now recovering well. Freeman also injured his ankle in the NLCS against the Mets. Despite facing challenges, Freeman hit four home runs in four games and earned 12 RBIs, marking a historic journey by securing the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award following the Dodgers’ victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

The Dodgers are built to win another World Series

With all their key players secured for the foreseeable future, the Dodgers are poised to be World Series contenders for years to come. It’s worth mentioning that this is their second World Series title in five years, with the first one in 2020 during the COVID-shortened season. Additionally, they have finished in first place in the NL West for 12 of the last 13 seasons.