The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again solidified their status as baseball's elite, clinching the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. In a dominating performance that saw the Dodgers take the series in five games, Los Angeles thrived where the Yankees faltered, particularly in terms of defense.
The Yankees, despite boasting the best record in the American League with an impressive 94-68 during the regular season, were plagued by critical errors that ultimately cost them the championship. Their ability to outscore opponents by 147 runs during the regular season was not enough to prevent a painfully narrow one-run combined margin of defeat in the series.
The absence of Joe Kelly in the postseason and the World Series did not go unnoticed, as his regular-season contribution was not particularly stellar. With a WAR of minus-0.4 over 32 innings, Kelly voiced strong opinions about the Yankees' standing among the playoff contenders. "It was a mismatch from the get-go," Kelly remarked, suggesting that if there were a playoff re-ranking, the Yankees might be seen as the 8th- or 9th-best team. He even went further, putting the Padres, Phillies, Mets, and Braves ahead of them in his analysis, and commending the Guardians for their better defense and overall play despite their shortcomings.
Kelly praised his Dodgers' consistency and preparation, highlighting the team's excellent scouting and strategic approach. "All we knew is that we had to play regular Dodger baseball," he said. "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 sentiment echoed throughout the Dodgers’ clubhouse, where a blend of superstar talent and hard-working ethic created a winning formula.
The Dodgers' organizational ethos, as Kelly emphasized, centers not just on talent, but on rigorous work ethics and attention to detail. "We go through numerous scouting reports. We pay attention to every single detail," he noted. Indeed, such diligence and determination set them apart from their competitors.
Kelly's perspective on the Dodgers' victory also highlighted the less tangible aspects of winning. "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," he pointed out, underscoring that the commitment and dedication of players, not just their proficiency on paper, is what crowns champions.
As the Dodgers celebrate their triumph, reflection and analysis will begin in earnest for the Yankees. With their potential evident from a season of outscoring opponents, the shortcomings illuminated in the World Series offer a stark template for improvement. The grinding machine that is Major League Baseball waits for no team, and the Yankees will undoubtedly seek to address these gaps as they prepare for the challenges of the next season.